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Guest
writer Nigel Coady reports on the Blues last League match in Cobh
eircom National League
First Division
| Cobh Ramblers |
V |
Waterford United |
| Date |
22/03/2002 |
|
| Score
(Blues First) |
0
- 0 |
| Venue |
St.
Colman's Park, Cobh |
| Kick
Off |
7.30pm |
| Attendance |
150 |
| Weather |
Dry
but Cold |
| Referee |
D
Tomney |
| Goal
Scorers |
None |
| Cards |
Yellow:
Leahy, Waters |
| Pitch |
Bumpy |
|
Player
|
Rating
|
Comment
|
| Fennelly |
7
|
Looked
confident, commanded his area, and communicated with the backs well |
| O'Brien |
8
|
Had
a solid game, got forward, did his job excellently. Could have scored
with a bit of composure instead of a blast |
| Leahy |
8
|
Great
first half, was everywhere. Headers, tackles & blocks. Less to
do as Blues got on top |
| Dempsey |
9
|
Our
Player of the Year (no secret) was brilliant again. Has all the touches.
|
| Breen |
7
|
Solid
game again. A threat at set-pieces. |
| Waters |
6
|
As
poor a game as he's had in a while. Lucky to say on, could have been
taken off in first half |
| Mallon |
6
|
Some
nice touches, but a bit out of his depth at the moment |
| Fitzgerald W |
7
|
All-action
midfielder was at the heart of the game when Blues got on top. Improved
as game went on |
| Myler |
7
|
Going
through the motions, tried to control the ball & lay it off at
the same time, but would be better holding it up and using his strength |
| Smith |
7
|
Better
when he went out wide than up front, and has to be used as a wide
man. Pushed around by big centre-halves, but used his pace well on
the wing |
| Rea |
8
|
An
inspirational leader at the back. Fought until the final whistle,
got in tackles and blocks under heavy fire in the first half |
| SUBS |
|
|
| Walsh |
8
|
Squealer
should have been on from the start. Grafted away, took pressure off
the rest of the midfield, & the defence |
| Drew |
7
|
Podge
should have started too. Caused problems with his trickery |
| Scully |
6
|
Not
really on long enough to do anything. One shot over |
The
Blues & Ramblers ground out what looked like an end of season game
between two teams with little to play for. The
Blues were under pressure in the first half, and the back four and goalkeeper
were outstanding as a unit after a dodgy 25 minutes. Kevin Waters was
dominated down the left, and Brian Mallon, probably due to inexperience
at this level, had a similar problem on the right. Ex-Blue Donal "Donut"
Golden should have scored one, and had a couple more half chances. The
only worry for the defence early on was the poor closing down and a lot
of room around our area, but this was stopped after about 25 minutes,
and the course of the game was changed. On 28 minutes, Tony Smith made
a great run and cross, but the finish was lacking. Noel Hunt was a big
loss up front, Smithy isn't the answer there, but out wide he could make
a big impact with his pace.
This is
an actual picture of a tattoo on a Waterford United players back. Can
you guess who??
The second
half was all Waterford, and the chances started to come. Squealer made
a big difference, controlling the midfield, and linking the play. Waters
played a one-two with Leahy, sent in a good cross, and Smithy was inches
away from connecting. Wayne Fitzgerald shot over, Brendan Rea had a header
just wide, and Kevin O'Brien could have been a little more composed when
he shot high wide and not so handsome when he could have tried to side-foot
towards goal. The Cobh No. 2 was sent off for a lunging foul on Paul Leahy,
and that really gave The Blues the upper hand, but this end of season
fare never really sparked into life. A season that showed much promise
about a month ago ended a little disappointingly, but shows great promise
for next year.
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