League Report: Cobh Ramblers 1 - 0 Athlone Town

Stephen Henderson continues to work his magic on his Cobh Ramblers side as they remain unbeaten since he took over the reins in April, defeating Athlone Town thanks to a Jonathan Creamer first half strike at a very wet and foggy St. Colman’s Park.

The visitors who were the overwhelming bookies favourites for this clash at 4/7 started off stronger winning a succession of corners threatening Steven Hickey’s goal, but the home side were to take the lead on 27 minutes when Creamer lobbed Shane Cusack.

Cobh who could have been backed at 9/2 before the game withstood an Athlone onslaught in the second half to grab a vital three points to move up to fifth place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, ahead of Shelbourne.

Cobh Ramblers reintroduced Shane O’Connor and Kevin Mulcahy to the line up after they served their one game suspensions last week against UCD while Athlone introduced Michael Brown, Daniel Pardy, Thomas Mulrooney and Garbhan Coughlan. Athlone had early shots from those exact three players but none threatened Hickey in the Cobh goal with Brown and Marco Chindea also putting dangerous crosses into the box.

Stephen Kenny had a rare attack for the home side on 25 minutes when he dribbled from the halfway line but saw his shot go wide from 12 yards.

Two minutes later the goal was created when a long ball from O’Connor was controlled by Creamer, who was under pressure from Stephen Dunne, but none the less the striker was able to lob it over a stranded Cusack into the roof of the visiting sides net.

Athlone rallied soon after through Pardy but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

The second half wasn’t a very entertaining affair as the weather conditions played havoc with both teams and as a result both teams struggled when passing the ball.

Athlone had the lion’s share of possession for the second half but were unable to break down Ramblers. Mulrooney and Pardy both had shots from distance that went well over the bar.

On 59 minutes they introduced recent signing Ian Sweeney in the hope of getting something but they were to be thwarted by the Cobh Ramblers defence. Watching Wexford Youths Manager Shane Keegan will be hoping to fare better next week when the two sides meet in Ferrycarrig Park.

The closest they came to scoring was on 77 minutes when Marco Chindea dribbled past Hickey but his shot was blocked on the line by Frahill. The finally in the closing minutes Eric Foley had a shot go narrowly wide of the goal as Cobh held on for victory.

Cobh Ramblers:  Steven Hickey; Adam O’Sullivan, Brendan Frahill, Eoghan Murphy, Kevin Mulcahy; Stephen Kenny, Graham McCarthy, Darren Murphy, Shane O’Connor, Ryan Goldsmith (Audie Dunlea 83); Jonathan Creamer (Kynan Rocks 83).
Subs Not Used: David Browne (gk), Ronan Stanton, Daniel Barry, Robert Lynch, David Curran.

Booked: Goldsmith (82), McCarthy (90+2).

Athlone Town: Shane Cusack; Michael Brown, Stephen Dunne, Aidan Collins, Stephen Quigley; Daniel Pardy, Thomas Mulrooney, Gavin Boyne (Eric Foley 74), Marco Chindea; Sam O’Connor (Ian Sweeney 59), Garbhan Coughlan.
Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican (gk), Sean French, Danny Molloy, Aidan Byrne, Robbie Gaul.

Booked: O’Connor (37), Mulrooney (64), Brown (82).

Referee: Simon Rodgers (Dublin).

Attendance: 380

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kevin Mulcahy (Cobh Ramblers).