- Patrick O'Connor
- Wed, Oct 25 2023
Patrick O Connor reports from Ferrycarrig Park
Cobh Ramblers took a step towards taking their place in the First Division promotion play-off final after winning the first-leg of their semi-final against Wexford 1-0 at Ferrycarrig Park.
These two sides have been inseparable in their four league encounters this season and this play off semi-final followed the same pattern with just the single goal dividing the two sides at the end of the 90 minutes.
Ramblers were the stronger side on the night and their margin of victory should have been greater.
However, they will be content to take a one-goal lead into the second leg on home turf at St Colman’s Park on Saturday evening.
The performance levels of the Cork side on the night will give great confidence to manager Shane Keegan and their followers that they can complete the job next weekend and then prepare to face either Waterford or Athlone in the playoff final.
Both sides started positively with Wexford having the better of the early exchanges but the decisive moment in the game came early on when Ramblers took the lead.
Jack Doherty and Wilson Waweru had been causing lots of trouble for the young Wexford side and it was no surprise when both were involved in the opening goal which arrived in the 14th minute.
Doherty took a free kick on the edge of the box which forced Wexford goalkeeper Charlie Heffernan into a good save at the expense of a corner.
The resulting corner was swung in by Mikie Rowe and it appeared to go straight into the net off defender Cian O’Malley, although judging by the celebrations, Waweru also thought he got a touch to the ball as it flew past Heffernan on the goal line.
The Rams went on to dominate the remainder of the first half although Wexford did have one decent chance when Corban Piper’s shot forced Lee Steacy into a good save in the 18th minute.
Wexford were more energised after the break and substitute Luca Lovic almost got an equaliser in the 55th minute but his shot was cleared off the line by a Ramblers defender.
Ramblers used all their substitutes in the second half and the fresh legs enabled then to withstand the inevitable end of game pressure which Wexford exerted as the game entered the final quarter.
Wexford in turn introduced veteran striker Danny Furlong in the 70th minute but apart from one effort late on he was well contained by the resolute Ramblers defence.
The home side did dominate in the last 10 minutes of the game but they were blunt in attack and did not really look like getting an equaliser at any stage.
The action switches to Cobh now and there should be a huge crowd in St Colman’s Park on Saturday night as Ramblers look to build on their one goal advantage and progress onto the final.
Wexford: Charlie Heffernan; Reece Webb, Ethan Boyle, Cian O Malley, Luke Browne, Kian Corbally (Mark Hanratty 70), Corban Piper (Luca Lovic 46) Darragh Levingston, Aaron Dobbs, Thomas Olowa (Danny Furlong 70)/
Subs not used: Hugh Douglas, William Gaul, Eoin Kenny, Conor Levingston, Ben Lynch, Aaron Robinson
Booked: Kian Corbally (12).
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy, James O'Leary (Tiernan O’Brien 89), Justin Eguaibor, Charlie Lyons, Cian Browne, Pierce Phillips (Alec Byrne 75), Dean Larkin, Jason Abbott (Luke Desmond 87), Jack Doherty, Mikie Rowe (Dale Holand 87), Wilson Waweru.
Subs not used: Darragh Burke, Liam Kerwick, Matt McKevitt, Charlie O’ Brien, Darragh O’ Sullivan – Connell.
Booked: Justin Eguaibor (84).
Referee: Alan Patchell.
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Jack Doherty (Cobh Ramblers).
Attendance: 1,010.
