League Report: Cobh Ramblers 2 - 0 Cabinteely FC

Cobh Ramblers ensured they go into the mid season break in fourth place defeating Cabinteely in comfortable fashion thanks to two first half goals from Shane O’Connor and Marcus Gustavsson at a sun kissed St. Colman’s Park.

Cobh Ramblers fielded a young side due to their recent injury crisis with Kyle McNamara making his debut for the Ram’s at left back.

Cobh Ramblers had the best possible start to this game against a Cabinteely side still looking for their first win on their travels with Steven Christopher winning a penalty on seven minutes when he was fouled by Oscar Brennan resulting in referee Robert Hennessy pointing to the spot. Up stepped O’Connor to bury it into the net.

The away side second best for much of the first half nearly equalised on 10 minutes when Mark Slater’s free kick from the edge of the box hit the post from the corner of the box.

Yet Cobh was proving dangerous especially on the right flank with Christopher running at the defence on every occasion to much effect. Cabinteely on the other hand were relying on scraps with Oliver Hamzat doing his best with what limited possession he was getting from his teammates.

Their second arrived on 29 minutes when Christopher’s run down the wing was crossed to Gustavsson who fired home past Michael Kelly.

They should have had the lead increased further on 38 minutes but Christopher and Gustavsson combined to bundle the ball wide from inside the six yard box.

The half petered out with Cobh still in ascendancy. The second half started with Cobh again trying their luck with man of the match O’Connor firing the ball at Kelly having been set up by Christopher.

O’Connor tried his luck on three more occasions but Kelly blocked every shot, while Jonathan Creamer headed over from close range.

Cabinteely had a few shots in the final few minutes but save for one that caused Paul Hunt to make a diving save, the result was never much in doubt.

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Charlie Fleming, Ben O’Riordan, Christopher McCarthy, Kyle McNamara; Steven Christopher, Jason Abbott, Kevin Mulcahy, Shane O’Connor, Ian Mylod; Marcus Gustavsson (Jonathan Creamer 45).

Subs not used: David Browne, Graham McCarthy, Dave Curran,

Yellow Cards: McCarthy (33), Abbott (52)

Cabinteely: Michael Kelly; Lee Mitchell (Alex Connolly 89), Oscar Brennan, Edward McDonagh, Karl Byrne; Aaron Brilly (Adam Maher 90); Mark Slater (Paul Fox 28, inj.), Shane Boyle, Gavin Howard, Ryan Byrne; Oliver Hamzat.

Subs not used: Adam Maher, Alex Connelly, Cathal Gillen.

Yellow Cards: Slater (23), Brennan (46)

Referee: Robert Hennessy

Attendance: 250 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane O’Connor (Cobh Ramblers)

You can see Steve Alfred's pictures from the game here.