Cobh Ramblers hoping to keep good run going with another win at Wexford

Cobh Ramblers will aim to make it six games unbeaten when they face Wexford this evening at Ferrycarrig Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

Fran Rockett and his players will go into this game buoyant from last week's victory over Cork City at the Munster FA Turner's Cross Stadium, and sitting in fourth place in the table.

The play-offs are very much in reach with five games left, and Cobh have form on their side as they make the trip to Wexford.

The Ramblers’ cause has also been helped by other results in the league, as last weekend saw Treaty United get the better of Longford Town at Bishopsgate and Bray Wanderers beat Kerry at Mounthawk Park.

Rockett is often afraid to look at the table, as it tends to change every week. Cobh learned that the hard way in August as a loss in Tralee saw them drop from third to seventh over other results.

“I'm afraid to look at the table at times but the boys obviously made us aware of it,” he told The Echo.

“I think the most important thing now is forward momentum. You see the supporters that were there against Cork City. You see even the discipline in the second half and the way the boys were speaking. I think there was a real belief that we had to have a composure and we did that.

“I think we're already looking forward to the Wexford game now because I think the UCD game was a bit of a kick in the backside after they pegged us back but I think against Cork City we're after solidifying the mindset now that we're a good team and we're ready for anyone.” 

The Ramblers became the form team in the division by falling into a 4-2-3-1 system over the summer that combines new signings Jonas Stjernberg and Jordan Adeyemi with mainstays Rhys Gordie and Dylan McGlade.

One player that has been key to Cobh’s revival in recent weeks is winger Anthony Adenopo, the winger brought in from Villa FC over the winter. The Waterford native has hit the ground running at St. Colman’s Park and the fan favourite capped off his run of late by scoring the third goal over Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

“Anto has been absolutely fantastic,” Rockett praised the winger.

“And to find yourself out of the team, it's not easy. He's come back in. We had a bit of a dose over the week.

I told him to stay away from training and he's come back in and look, he's always offering a threat and he's that pace as well. Luckily, there was a bit of topspin on the ball against Cork City. 

"They took their ball in but look, he's after getting the winner down in Turner’s Cross. 

"So, it's a big thing and these are all massive confidence boosts.” 

The Ramblers are now out to down a Wexford side that has seen their play-off aspirations fall apart in recent weeks with a run of form that has produced just three wins in eight games.

Stephen Elliott’s side have already played Cobh three times this year, they even held an unbeaten run in this fixture until a meeting at St. Colman’s Park in July. The Ramblers won 1-0 through an own goal by Robbie McCourt, a result that sent up to third.

Wexford’s frustrations were laid bare last week when they were defeated 3-1 by basement side Finn Harps at Ferrycarrig Park. 

That loss is one of three in their last four, a sequence that also includes losses to Cork City and Athlone Town.

The Ramblers will see this and see a way to get points, to increase their hold over a place in the play-offs. 

Wexford have beaten them twice this season, and each time it was a comfortable victory for Elliott and his players.

Rockett will be more than aware of the challenge they pose, especially with so few games left to play. 

The important thing for Cobh is that they have form, and a team that are simply excited about playing football and picking up points. 

There’s no fear on that bus making the journey to Ferrycarrig Park.