Cobh Ramblers aim to bounce back with victory over Athlone Town

Cobh Ramblers will look to get back to winning ways when they face Bray Wanderers this evening at St Colman’s Park, 7.45pm.

Fran Rockett’s side will go into this game reeling from last week’s 2-0 defeat to Athlone Town at Lissywollen, a result that has left them seventh in the table with five points collected.

It’s early days, and everything could change in the next few weeks given the nature of the league, which makes home games crucial for a team looking to move up in the rankings.

Bray are one of those that have already started strong after recording three wins, a draw, and a defeat over the last five matches.

Rockett is well aware of what the Seagulls are capable of, as the coach started watching back their games on the way back from Athlone.

“I think it's a great time to bounce back with a home game,” he said.

“They are probably the second-hardest team in the league currently from watching [their games]. 

They are energetic, they have quality and they are creative. And they've got youthfulness in them, and they'll play with no fear.

“And, you know, like I said, I saw enough in the first 45 minutes against Athlone, it's not panic stations here at all, at all.

“We just got to make sure we get back on the waggon straight away and there’s no better place than St. Colman’s Park to do it. So, I’m really looking forward to it. And, yeah, we started back Monday and we'll go again.” 

The Ramblers spent the week regrouping with a regenerated squad that included re-signing Timothy Martin, the Luxembourg international goalkeeper that moved to the Great Island last season.

OUTSTANDING

The shot-stopper took the place of Corey Chambers last Friday in Athlone, after previously lining out last February in a preseason game with Treaty United at St Colman’s Park.

“Corey has been outstanding - he is one of the top goalkeepers in the league and there's no doubt about it,” Rockett said.

“We just needed something different in Athlone, which was proven true during the first few minutes. We needed him. 

"He's quite proactive as a goalkeeper. He comes out off his line very quickly, and he done that after the first two or three minutes against Athlone.

“And you know, he was hardly called for throughout the game, if I'm being totally honest. 

"It was mistakes that came from elsewhere, but he's a massive, massive one [to add to the group]. 

We're pleased to have the goalkeepers that we do, if I'm being honest. But, yeah, he is a massive addition.” 

Martin returned to the group alongside Dylan McGlade, who made his first appearance in claret and blue last week since a victory over Leeside United last January in the Munster Senior Cup.

Luka Le Bervet was out, while Shane Griffin continues to sit on the sidelines as he recovers from a long term injury.

Those that are fit will come up against a Bray Wanderers side sitting in third place in the table, three points from league leaders Cork City.

The Seagulls have hit the ground running this season after starting the year with two wins and a draw in a Leinster Senior Cup group containing Finglas United, Bohemians, and Wexford.

This follows on from a campaign that finished with a defeat to Waterford in the promotion/relegation play-off final, and a rebuilding job after a number of losses to key personnel over the winter.

While the likes of Killian Cantwell went to Kerry FC, Max Murphy to Wexford, and Harvey Warren to Dundalk; the spine remained at the Carlisle Grounds. 

Former Cork City goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran still stands in between the sticks, Sean Brennan remains the engineer in attack, and wonderkid Billy O’Neill is spending another season at Bray.

There’s a real possibility of another promotion push in Wicklow, a position Cobh hope to be in when the leaves start to rust in the autumn. 

That’s a long way from the cold nights of March. The Ramblers just need to win, and make sure they maximise any sort of return from their home games.