Cobh Ramblers go in search of their first win of the new season in Longford

Cobh Ramblers will target their first league win of the season when they travel to Bishopsgate to face Longford Town, kick-off 7:30pm on Saturday night.

Fran Rockett and his players will make the trip to the midlands reeling from last week's 3-0 defeat to Wexford at St Colman's Park, a result that has left the squad stuck to the bottom of the table.

Atonement has been the theme of the week after the coach admitted he did not see the loss coming when speaking in the immediate aftermath of the season opener.

It was a stinging defeat, made worse by the prolonged and energetic build up that included results in the Munster Senior Cup and a series of friendlies with a regenerated squad under Rockett.

Wexford sat back under the direction of former Ireland international Stephen Elliott, while Paul Martin was left to deal with shots from Kai O'Neill and Wilson Waweru. 

The visitors went on to break in the 14th minute and Ryan Richie finished this off, and Max Murphy doubled their advantage in the dying seconds of the first half from a penalty.

Once Jake Doyle scored, Wexford had sealed the result and Cobh used the time left on the clock to five minutes to U20s Lucas Curtin, Rhys Kelly Noonan, and Brian Lenihan.

Rockett did not use that as an excuse when describing his disappointment last week.

“As far as I’m concerned – whether they are young or old, whoever is on the pitch I think they left the club down in terms of their performance,” he said.

“I think it is learning for them and the potential is there. It’s only potential so they have to dust themselves down and reflect. 

"We’ll analyse and look back on that performance. It’s learning. Great learning for them all and it is good that we got this out of the way early.

“We got to move on. There’s winners in that dressing room. 

"It is one of those results that makes you take stock but the wheels don’t come off because it is only the first game.” 

With this in mind, Rockett believes that nothing will change with regard to his sides preparations for Saturday.

“Nothing changes – we are quite confident with what we are going at the minute,” he explained.

“Nothing changes. We just didn’t get a rub of the green against Wexford in the early stages. 

"At other stage we take those chances with Rhys Gourdie, Wilson Waweru, or Kai O’Neill.” 

Cobh will travel to a Longford side that opened their campaign with a scored draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carsile Grounds.

Justin Ferizaj opened the scoring that night by collecting a Billy O'Neill pass and slotting in with ten minutes on the clock. 

Dean George responded at the start of the second half by finishing off a move involving Osaze Irhue on the left wing.

The Seagulls pushed for a winner late on, with chances and at one point Alex O'Brien was forced to make a goal-line clearance. 

The Town held firm and picked up a point that puts them in sixth place.

That was the main event for a group that has been playing competitive football through January and February in the Leinster Senior Cup, which has a group stage unlike its knock-out cousin in the south.

Longford were drawn beside Mountpelier of the Leinster Senior League and League of Ireland sides Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic.