ATHLONE TOWN 2 COBH RAMBLERS 3
John Dingle
Athlone Town lost their second successive home game as Cobh Ramblers consolidated third place on the league table with victory in Lissywollen on Friday night.
The visitors took the lead just past the midway point of the first half but Frantz Pierrot levelled matters in stoppage time. Matthew Leal then put the Town in front before the hour mark but two goals in six minutes from Cobh later in the second half inflicted defeat.
The opening chance of the game arrived just three minutes, Luke Desmond having the opportunity to put Cobh ahead but Enda Minogue saved. Athlone recovered and Haji Abdikadir flashed a long range strike wide with Jack Kavanagh then having a dangerous left wing cross saved.
It was no surprise that Cobh punished a sluggish home outfit after 24 minutes. Liam Kervick cut in from the left and, after getting the better of centre half Noah VanGeenen, fired a shot past the keeper at his near post. Athlone responded with Abdikadir denied by a fine save from Lee Steacy with two corners following.
Cobh looked set to head off for the break with a slender advantage but the Town struck for an equaliser in the first additional minute. Abdikadir sent in a cross from the right and Pierrot headed home.
Athlone resumed for the second half in confident mood and Steacy made a spectacular save when catching a shot from Pierrot. Valerii Dolia was off target with a shot and another corner was earned as Athlone continued to press forward.
Matthew Leal then put Athlone ahead after 54 minutes advancing into the penalty area from the left and drilling his shot into the roof of the net. Wilson Waweru was almost in after 66 minutes but Minogue made the save.
Ramblers, however, finished the stronger and turned around the deficit during the final quarter of an hour. A wonder strike had Cobh on level terms after 78 minutes. Athlone lost possession on the right and the ball was worked in by Waweru to Pierce Philips. The number six then fired a fantastic volley from long range to the roof of the net.
Cobh pressure continued and the visitor’s struck for the winner with just six minutes remaining. Jason Abbott tried his luck from distance, Minogue got a touch to tip the ball onto the bar, but Waweru reacted quickest on the edge of the box to tuck the loose ball to the net. It completed the comeback for Cobh but Athlone had one more opportunity to salvage something on the stroke of full time.
Second half substitutes Oisin Duffy and Adam Lennon were involved in the move, the latter having only the keeper to beat but the finish was not convincing and Steacy made a relatively comfortable save.
Athlone had another half chance as the game headed into a fifth additional minute. Duffy was well off target though as his shot cleared the bar. The win stretches Cobh’s advantage over Athlone to six points with the Town only staying in fourth spot ahead of Bray on goal difference.
Date Confirmed for FAI Cup Tie
A date has been confirmed for Athlone Town’s FAI Cup first round tie away to Derry City, the fixture taking place in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Sunday, July 23, at 5pm.
