Cobh Ramblers outgunned by Wexford at St Colman's Park

Cobh Ramblers 2 Wexford 4

THE very patchy start to the season continued for Cobh Ramblers as they fell to another defeat at the hands of Wexford in this League Of Ireland First Division contest on Friday night at St Colman’s Park.

Unfortunately for Ramblers, like the clash with Cork City they did not get off to the most ideal of starts. This was because it was Wexford who took the lead in the 4th minute. Reacting quickest to a loose ball in the Cobh defence, on hand to pounce was Thomas Oluwa and he finished neatly to the bottom corner.

Wexford, who are a side strongly fancied to be among the main contenders for promotion in the First Division, threatened in the 15th when James Crawford blasted over.

While Wexford went close again a few minutes later Oluwa fired another warning shot to Ramblers with an attempt that crashed into the side netting.

Ramblers gradually grew into the game and looked to forge an opening as they kept possession well, but the Wexford defence was organised and resolute.

Cobh had their best opportunity to score in the 36th minute when good work from Matthew McKevitt set up David Bosnjak, who saw his well-struck effort saved well by the Wexford netminder Owen Mason.

But at the break, Wexford were decent value for their advantage and Ramblers knew a big second half was required.

Unfortunately for the hosts, it was Wexford that doubled their advantage in the early stages of the second half. Mark Hanratty coolly found the back of the net inside the penalty area.

Things got even better for the visiting side when a third goal arrived in the 54th minute, as Hanratty netted again for Wexford.

Ramblers reacted rapidly and got two quickfire goals to ignite the game into life and reduce the deficit down to one goal. First off Jack Larkin instinctively finished from close range on 55 minutes.

Then just a minute later, Cobh were awarded a penalty kick, which Jason Abbott blasted home with a fine finish. A feast of goals in a crazy five-minute spell.

Ramblers were now rejuvenated. But they then shot themselves in the foot as Wexford got a fourth goal on 69 minutes when Oluwa raced through and finished after punishing a mistake in the Cobh defence.

Wexford nearly got a fifth when a Rowe strike was saved by Ramblers goalkeeper Darragh Burke.

COBH RAMBLERS: Darragh Burke; Cian Browne, Justin Eguaibor, Brendeán Frahill, Dean Larkin, Matthew McKevitt, Jack Larkin, David Bosnjak, Charlie O’Brien, Dale Holland, Jason Abbott.

Subs: Luka Le Bervet for Frahill (HT), Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh for Bosnjak (77), Alessandro Desanctis for Eguaibor (85).

WEXFORD: Owen Mason; Cian O’Malley, Ethan Boyle, Mikie Rowe, Kian Corbally, Thomas Oluwa, Mark Hanratty, Luka Lovic, James Crawford, Kaylem Harnett, Reece Webb.

Subs: Brandon McCann for Harnett (67), Cian Curtis for Rowe (77), Benjamin Lynch for Oluwa (90).

Referee: Oliver Moran.