ATHLONE TOWN 5 COBH RAMBLERS 2
Athlone Town finally got their first win of the season when they beat fellow strugglers Cobh Ramblers at home last Friday night - the Town lead at the half time break by two goals to one and victory was sealed with further goals coming after the hour mark.
Cobh’s two wins this season had been against Athlone but there was no repeat when action resumed following the mid-season break, the hosts setting the tone as they opened the scoring from their first chance on 10 minutes, Gary Armstrong passing to Carlton Ubaezuonu who found the net with a low shot.
Shane Barnes had a shot saved as Athlone looked to build on their lead. It should have been doubled after 14 minutes. Thomas Oluwa was denied by the keeper after being set up by Daniel Dobbin and Ramblers made the most of the let off to equalise four minutes later when Jack Larkin slotted to the net from just outside the penalty area.
Oluwa restored Athlone’s lead when cleverly chipping the keeper from the left on 21 minutes. It completed the scoring in the first half but both teams had further chances before the break to score again.
Town debutant Andrew Skerritt did well to push a Larkin effort onto the bar and behind for the first corner kick. Two further corners followed for the visitors but Athlone could easily have increased their lead on the half hour mark. Ubaezuonu linked up with Barnes whose shot was pushed behind for the Town’s first corner. Cobh’s Sean McGrath had a shot saved and Athlone earned their second corner just before half time.
The dreadful defending by the visitors started within two minutes of the restart. Oluwa capitalised but chipped wide of the target. It was not long for the lead to be increased. Oluwa was again involved as he set up Ubaezuonu who shot to the net from close range.
Danny O’Connell and Jake Hegarty had been introduced as substitutes by Cobh and both were involved as the deficit was again reduced. Athlone soon restored their two-goal advantage. Oluwa was again involved in the build-up and Dobbin drilled a low shot past the keeper’s right from the edge of the penalty area.
The scoring was completed midway through the half as Athlone made it five. Oluwa was man of the match and capped a fine display with a low shot past the keeper’s right.
Cobh’s sole response was a James O’Leary overhead kick which cleared the bar. Athlone had a number of chances to add to their goal tally against shattered opponents. Gary Armstrong had a long-range attempt saved with substitute Success Edogun also denied by goalkeeper Sean Barron.
Three additional minutes were played and the Town had one more chance during this period to complete the rout. Blake Ryan came on to make his senior debut and created the opportunity for Edogun to score but Barron blocked the shot. Cian Kelly was also close to finding the net when a cross was delivered to the far post.
