- Deniese O'Flaherty
- Sun, Mar 05 2017
Three second half goals saw Cobh Ramblers pick up their first league win of the season and leave Longford Town without a home win that stretches back over 16 months to October 30th, 2015.
The visitors were full value for their win, exposing Town’s defensive frailties and punishing them.
Karl Caulfield opened the scoring in the 59th minute and three minutes later Ian Mylod doubled their advantage. It got better for Stephen Henderson’s side in the 80th minute when substitute Kyle McNamara scored their third goal.
The home side pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time through substitute Cody Mulhall.
Caulfield caused problems for Town throughout and very nearly opened the scoring for Cobh in the seventh minute. Chris McCarthy dispossessed Stephen Walsh and played the ball to Caulfield but his effort was saved by Town keeper Paul Skinner.
Neither side created anything of note until three minutes from the break the best chance of the half fell to Caulfield. After holding off Dean Zambra he got inside the box but blasted his effort over the bar.
Two minutes into the second half and Town should’ve broke the deadlock as Cobh keeper Paul Hunt’s clearance came off one of his players and fell nicely to Enda Curran, but with an open goal at his mercy he somehow directed his effort wide.
Town were to rue that missed chance in the 59th minute when Cobh got the game’s opening goal: a stunning strike from Caulfield that gave Skinner no chance.
Down the other end, Town had a chance that was blocked down on the hour mark. The ball was cleared out of defence and picked up by Mylod but he was denied by Skinner.
Two minutes later, Mylod doubled his side’s advantage. A great ball out of defence fell nicely to him and he made no mistake. Town were stunned and despite having possession they couldn’t muster up anything that would trouble Hunt and the Cobh defence.
10 minutes from time Cobh got a third when Stephen Christopher’s pinpoint cross found sub McNamara and he headed home. It was no more than they deserved.
As the clock ticked down the home supporters started to leave the ground. Right before the end Town pulled a goal back through Mulhall but it was scant consolation for the Midlanders who have a return of just one point from their opening two games of the season.
Longford Town: Paul Skinner; Aidan Friel, Rhys Gorman (Mark Langtry 69), Stephen Walsh, Daniel O’Reilly (Jake Kelly 65); Gavin Boyne (Cody Mulhall 77), Kevin O’Connor, Dean Zambra, Dylan McGlade; David O’Sullivan, Enda Curran.
Subs not used: Jack Brady, Tristan Noack Hofmann, Karl Chambers, Kealon Dillon.
Booked: Kevin O’Connor (82).
Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Shane Lowth, Ben O’Riordan, James McSweeney, Anthony O’Donnell; Karl Caulfield, Chris McCarthy, Craig Donnellan; Stephen Christopher (Charlie Fleming 83), Ian Mylod (Kyle McNamara 73); Dean Swords (Scott McCarthy 90+2).
Subs not used: Adam Mylod, Darren Murphy.
Booked: Shane Lowth (56).
Referee: John McLoughlin
Attendance: 320
Extratime Player of the Match: Karl Caulfield (Cobh Ramblers)
