- Brendan White
- Sun, Jun 16 2013
Waterford United jumped to fourth place in the First Division table on Saturday night with a 2-0 win against Cobh Ramblers in St Colman’s Park.
Two penalties from the Blues in-form midfielder Ben Ryan were the difference between the sides in their first league meeting in eleven years at the Cobh venue.
It was Ryan who almost gave the visitors a third minute lead after good work down the right saw Conor Whittle, making his league debut for the Blues, swing in a deep cross but Ryan’s looping header came crashing back off the crossbar much to the relief of Ramblers keeper Robert Birdsall.
Birdsall was called on three minutes later as he denied Paul Quilty before the home side had appeals for a penalty turned down. Conor Whittle‘s collision with Martin Deady in the Blues penalty area saw appeals from Deady and his teammates, but referee Shane Dunphy waved play on.
Cobh Ramblers had a glorious chance to grab the lead on the quarter hour. Martin Deady made space and crossed to find Davin ONeill, but the striker completely missed the ball as he looked to score eight yards out from Craig Hyland’s goal.
Halfway through the opening period, the half’s main talking point arrived. The lively Kynan Rocks, who had started the game brightly, was sent through on goal but saw his run halted by Seamus Long. Referee Dunphy allowed play to continue as Davin O’Neill collected the ball and rounded Blues keeper Hyland but saw two efforts come back off the crossbar before the referee’s whistle sounded.
With the crowd expecting a red card for Long for the original infringement, referee Dunphy amazingly produced a yellow card for striker Rocks.
The visitors grabbed the lead six minutes before half time as Sean O’Mahony fouled Paul Quilty in the Ramblers penalty box. Ben Ryan stepped up and fired the ball past the dive of Birdsall.
Ramblers didn’t sit back and could have been level two minutes before the break with a move of great quality. Rocks picked out Roy Kenny in the centre of the field who found Martin Deady on the left wing. Deady made room for the cross and found Alan O’Flynn at the back post but he saw his header go over Hyland’s crossbar.
Vinny Sullivan and Paul Quilty had good chances for the away side as the second half begun, while David O’Neill’s effort after good work from Kenny saw Gavin Kavanagh needing to make a vital last gasp block.
Cobh continued to pressure Waterford but didn’t trouble Hyland enough to make the breakthrough. But rather than Cobh levelling the game, Waterford United doubled their lead.
Sean O’Mahony was again the guilty party as he was adjudged, somewhat harshly, to have fouled Blues sub Kevin O’Connor in the penalty area, and Ben Ryan stepped up for his second of the night, and fourth in his last two league games.
The night ended on a sour note for the visitors as Daragh Walshe was red carded for two bookings; his second coming six minutes from full time after referee Dunphy adjudged the striker to have gone down too easy in the penalty area.
The Blues will be happy to continue their good run of form, but Ramblers will rue some first half chances that ultimately cost the side any chance of picking up some points.
Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsall; Sean O’Mahony, Brendan Frahill, Gary Collins, John Meade; Martin Deady, James Carson (Jonathan Spillane 76), Roy Kenny, Alan O’Flynn (Bobby Donoghue 63); Kynan Rocks, Davin O’Neill.
Subs not used: David Walsh, Keith O’Flynn, Shane Hallahan, Jason Dunphy.
Bookings: Roy Kenny (18), Kynan Rocks (23), James Carson (69).
Waterford United: Craig Hyland; Conor Whittle, Seamus Long, Gavin Kavanagh, Michael Coady; Ben Ryan (Francis Rockett 81), Conor Coad (Daragh Walshe HT), Peter White, Peter Higgins; Vinny Sullivan, Paul Quilty (Kevin O’Connor 73).
Subs not used: Dylan Mernagh, John Frost, Philip Drohan, Chip Sanders.
Bookings: Daragh Walshe (77 + 84)
Red Cards: Daragh Walshe (84).
Referee: Shane Dunphy
Attendance: To be confirmed
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ben Ryan (Waterford United).
