Friendly Report: Cobh Ramblers 0 - 1 Cobh Wanderers

Cobh Wanderers emerged on top of a derby dubbed “El ClassicCobh”with a 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers as a figure of over €1,500 was raised from spectators as part of a fundraiser for a new playground in the harbour town.

Yet, despite the fact the charity raised some much needed funds, it will be the Wanderers supporters who had the biggest reason to cheer if they chose to gamble as a win paid off handsomely: Ladbrokes had quoted Wanderers as big as 10/1 this morning to pull off an upset and by the time of kick off it was knocked down to 9/4.

Ramblers had new assistant manager Stuart Ashton in the dugout tonight as boss Stephen Henderson was missing due to training for his pro licence. The first division side had three trialists in their squad with “Trialist B” impressing in particular during his first half cameo on what was a testing pitch for both sides.

Wanderers, whose squad is made up predominantly of former Ramblers players, had the first shot of the game with Conor Meade firing low at Paul Hunt.

The non-league side, who will contest the Donie Forde Cup final on Saturday, opened the deadlock on 22 minutes when Chris McCarthy was adjudged by referee Graham Kelly to have committed a foul in the box, allowing Ian Stapleton to step up and blast the ball to the back of the net.

Ramblers showed rustiness for not having played a game yet this season and failed to trouble Michael Devine in the opposition goal.

On the stroke of half time Stephen Griffen saw his free kick from the edge of the box palmed clear by Hunt as both sides headed for the break.

Ramblers had two survivors from the opening 45 minutes while Wanderers only made a small number of changes.

David Stack’s free kick into the box on 61 minutes was headed off the crossbar and over by Meade as Wanderers tried their best to extend the lead.

And Ramblers had their best chance of grabbing an equaliser shortly afterwards when a ball over the top saw Jonathan Creamer shoot straight at Shane Hallahan.

Later in the half Creamer was again denied on the line following a goalmouth scramble and Wanderers held out for victory.

Cobh Ramblers First Half: Paul Hunt, Charlie Fleming, Chris McCarthy, A Trialist, Anthony O’Donnell; B Trialist; Stephen Christopher, Craig Donnellan, Dean Swords, Ian Mylod; Eoin McGreevy.

Second Half: Adam Mylod; Cian Kingston, Scott McCarthy, Ryan Hogan, James McSweeney; Jason Abbott, Shane Lowdth, Craig Donnellan, Anthony O’Donnell; Jonathan Creamer, Matthew Whelan.

Subs not used: C Trialist.

Booked: Craig Donnellan (26), Cian Kingston (66), Anthony O’Donnell (71).

Cobh Wanderers: Michael Devine (Shane Hallahan 46); Eoin Hastings (Owen Kinsella 46), Brian Fitzgerald, John Meade (Stephen Bruton 46), Kyle Downing (David Stack 46); Emmet O’Hanlon, Dave Curran (Darren Sylvester 64), Conor Meade; Alan O’Flynn (Shane Geasley 46), Stephen Griffen, Ian Stapleton.

Subs not used: Eddie Nolan, James Stoat, Gary Collins.

Booked: Stephen Bruton (89).

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 460 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ian Stapleton (Cobh Wanderers).