Cork City stretch lead to four points despite stalemate at UCD

UCD 0 Cork City 0 

CORK City extended their unbeaten start to the season to ten games after they drew in the UCD Bowl on Friday night. 

Despite drawing their fourth away game this campaign, the Rebel Army extended their lead at the top of the First Division to four points after second-place Finn Harps were defeated away to Athlone Town on the same evening.

City were just about the better side and could have deserved all three points, but the draw was a fair result with few chances.

Kick-off in the game was delayed by ten minutes due to a referee protest over their pay. The delayed start didn’t seem to affect City as they began the game brightly. The midfield trio of Barry Coffey, Greg Bolger and Jack Doherty got some early touches on the ball, with Bolger in particular influencing the tempo of the game.

Evan McLaughlin, who was operating at left-back again, almost followed up last week’s goal when he found himself in space just outside the penalty area, however, despite UCD keeper Kian Moore's concern with McLaughlin’s curling effort, the strike went just off target.

UCD came close to taking the lead midway through the half when Niall Holohan had a chance just outside the six-yard area but he was unable to get his header on target.

City responded well with both Cathal O’Sullivan and Charlie Lyons having chances at goal.

As the half aged, there was little in terms of clearcut chances happening in the game with both sides cancelling each other out. Much of City’s play was going down their right-hand side but they were having little joy against a well-organised UCD defence.

Although the conditions of the pitch didn’t help, it was a scrappy match with both teams continuously giving away possession. Players were getting frustrated with the lack of options when on the ball, and frequently made unnecessary mistakes, meaning there was a large turnover in possession in the half.

City finished the half strongly with Doherty getting a sight on goal. However the former Cobh Ramblers player delayed his effort which allowed Holohan to get a block in. Cathal O Sullivan had a claim for a penalty which many City players felt strongly about but it was the right decision by referee Ray Matthews not to award a spot-kick.

The Rebel Army had the first attempt on goal at the start of the second half with Coffey seeing a strike flash just wide of the post. The former Celtic player did well to receive the ball on the half-turn but couldn’t get his effort on target.

The Rebel Army’s opening to the second period suggested that Clancy demanded more from his players during the interval as they had much more purpose in their game. Coffey again tried his luck when he neatly controlled a dropping ball before getting away a strike which forced Moore into making a save.

City were far more aggressive off the ball, and were extremely committed going into challenges; frequently coming away with possession.

McLaughlin, who has impressed since joining City, almost produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock when he cleanly half-volleyed an effort from outside the penalty area but it narrowly went wide.

UCD: Moore; Dunne, Bolton (O’Regan 67), Curtis (Kinsella-Bishop 67), Wells; Brennan, Holohan, Higgins (Verdon 90), Behan, Raggett (Parker 82); Doyle.

CITY: Wade; Nevin, Coleman, Lyons, McLaughlin; Bolger, Doherty (Murray 68), Coffey (Fitzpatrick 79); Bargary (Umeh 63), Murphy, O’Sullivan (Wood 63).

Referee: R Matthews