League Report: Cabinteely 2 - 2 Cobh Ramblers

Andrew Dempsey reports from Stradbrook Road

Cabinteely played out an entertaining four goal thriller at home to Cobh Ramblers at a sun kissed Stradbrook on Saturday evening.

Jack Watson’s late equaliser saved the day for Cabo who went behind twice after goals from Kevin Taylor and Jaze Kabia for the Rams.

Cobh came into the game unchanged from their most recent win over Bray Wanderers at St Colman’s Park.

Cabinteely on the other hand made two changes from their last outing in Galway with Sean Fitzpatrick and Jack Hudson both dropping to the bench in place of Conor Keeley and Daniel Blackbyrne. 

Cobh started with a very impressive zip and purpose to their play which was rewarded when they took an early lead through Kevin Taylor.

Taylor hosted in at the back post after being found by Jaze Kabia on the left, blasting home past a helpless Stephen McGuinness.

However, Stephen Henderson’s young guns lead was not to last long as Rob Manley fired home his eleventh of the season just ninety seconds after.

Manley picked up the ball outside the penalty area before blasting past a helpless Paul Hunt into the top corner as Pat Devlin’s side restored parity in quick fashion.

Both continued to create chances with the playing surface suiting both sides with slick attacking moves created, albeit with no end product.

Cobh threatened consistently and were perhaps unfortunate to be denied a second if it wasn’t for some brilliant last-ditch defending from Jonny Carlin after twenty minutes.

Carlin denied Denzil Fernandes who was fed in by Ian Turner with a superb tackle to prevent Cabo falling behind under the beaming sunshine at Stradbrook.

However, half-way through the opening period, Cobh were not to be denied as Kabia turned from provider to scorer as he tapped home at the back post after a brilliant move on the right.

Stephen Christopher, making his 100^th appearance for the Rams, fed in the in-form Kabia from the right where he was on hand to make no mistake and send his side back into the lead once more.

Cabinteely were fortunate to not find themselves further behind as the half progressed when Charlie Lyons saw his header saved by an alert McGuiness in the Cabinteely goal after Christopher’s menacing delivery from wide.

With their poor opening period, Cabinteely reacted well to their half-time dressing down and went close through goalscorer Manley who saw his effort cleared off the line by Lyons.

Cabo went close seconds later with Jack Tuite, but the former Derby County defender saw his shot saved comfortably by Hunt.

Just after the hour mark, Cobh produced their first opening of the second half through the dynamic Greg Henry who set free the lightning quick Fernandes who saw his curled effort saved by McGuinness. 

Cabo struggled to break through the stiff Cobh Ramblers at times, with set-piece scenarios proving to be their best opportunities of levelling terms. Keeley headed over the bar in what was a decent opening for the South Dubliners.

With time seeming to be running out for Cabinteely, they received a bolt from the blue when Jack Watson stabbed home at the back post.

Sub Paul Fox provided the trickery on the left wing before his outside of the boot cross forced an error from Hunt as ex-UCD midfielder Watson buried home to secure a point for Devlin’s promotion hopefuls.

The result saw Cabinteely drop out of the Playoff positions with Limerick’s win at home to Galway United while Cobh remain 7^th, nine behind Bray Wanderers in 6^th.

Cabinteely: Stephen McGuinness; Daniel Blackbyrne, Jonny Carlin (Jack Hudson, 43), Keith Dalton (Paul Fox, 67), Eoin Massey, Jack Tuite; Kieran 'Marty' Waters (Luke Clucas, 67), Jack Watson; Shane Barnes, Rob Manley. 

Subs not used: Ben Clarke, Sean Fitzpatrick, Zak O'Neill, James Woods. 

Booked: Jack Watson (90+2).


Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Charlie Lyons, James McSweeney, Ben O'Riordan, Kevin Taylor; Stephen Christopher, Denzil Fernandes, Greg Henry, David Hurley, Jaze Kabia (Cameron Harlson, 71), Ian Turner; 

Subs not used: Matthew Lambe, Adam Mylod, Eoin O'Donovan, Michael O'Rourke. 


Referee: Alan Carey.

Attendance: 250 (Estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Jaze Kabia (Cobh Ramblers).