- John O'Shea
- Sun, Apr 02 2017
Cobh Ramblers moved joint top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division table after getting back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over UCD on Saturday night.
A Ben O’Riordan goal, his first ever for the club, was enough to see Stephen Henderson’s men pick up all three points as they reacted in the best way possible from their first defeat of the season a week earlier against Cabinteely.
Ramblers now have 11 points from six games played, the same as Waterford United. It sets things up for what should be a tasty top of the table Munster Derby clash in the RSC next Friday night.
The first half will not last too long in the memory, a very cagey affair with neither side doing enough to create any clear cut chances.
UCD had the better of possession but despite the best efforts of Simon Power, who was one of the main threats going forward for the away side all night, neither team could be separated at the end of the opening half.
There was an improvement to proceedings after the half time break. Despite both teams looking a bit more menacing in the attacking third, it would be Ramblers who would take the lead in the 63rd minute.
Cobh were awarded a free kick on the right hand side, which was swung in by Ian Mylod. His ball in found Charlie Fleming in the box, who headed the ball across goal for O’Riordan to nod the ball into the back of the net.
UCD searched intently for an equalising goal and they came close near the end, as Power went on a great run into the box on the counter-attack, but he would shoot left and wide at the crucial moment.
Ramblers held their own and were resolute to see the game out to its conclusion and pick up all three points, securing their third victory of the season in the process.
Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Ian Mylod, James McSweeney, Ben O’Riordan, Charlie Fleming; Scott McCarthy (Ross Mann 88), Craig Donnellan (Jason Abbott 83), Cian Coleman, Karl Caulfield, Stephen Christopher; Dean Swords (Matthew Whelan 57).
Subs not used: Michael Sadys, Shane Lowth, Kyle McNamara, Chris McCarthy.
Booked: None.
UCD: Niall Corbet; Daniel Tobin(Maxi Kouogun 71), Liam Scales, Josh Collins (Rob Manley 90), Evan Osam; Greg Sloggett, Cian Kavanagh; Daire O’Connor, Jason McClelland (Ben Hanrahan 74), Simon Power; Georgie Kelly.
Subs not used: Sean Coyne, Conor Kearns, Gareth Coughlan, Sean Byrne.
Booked: Liam Scales (76).
Referee: Tom Dempsey.
Attendance: 200 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ian Mylod (Cobh Ramblers).
