eircom National League First Division

Date	26/09/2002
Score (Blues First)	2 - 0
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30 pm
Attendance	1,425
Weather	Dry and calm
Referee	H. Whoriskey
Goal Scorers	Vinny O'Sullivan 2
Cards	Yellow: O'Brien
Pitch	Good surface looks to be burning up though

Cobh Ramblers arrived at the RSC is a dizzy league position for them, while the Blues were on top of the tree where they deserve to be. This match had the makings of a great munster derby and Cobh even managed to find supporters to bring with them.

Waterford lined up as expected with Wille Byrne replacing the suspended John Frost. The big disappointment for Blues fans was that former player Jason Kabia was not on the pitch for Cobh. Blues fans were having a good time this year slagging former players who now seem to appear in every game we play. The home team took the game to Cobh from the start, with wingers Waters and Cosgrove seeing plenty of the ball, but unable to do anything constructive with it. It was Wayne Russell who had to make the first couple of saves though, as Cobh players found room around the Blues penalty area. Vinny O'Sulivan who scored in every league game up to this didn't leave the 1,425 fans down as he converted to put us one up. to be fair we should have been at least three up before the break as Dixon and Waters got in great positions only to waste chances, instead of composing themselves as the net came into vision. The quality of crossing let a lot to be desired as we failed find a man in the box, and when a good cross came in everyone missed it.

In the second half the Blues took control of the game again, but more wasted chances gave the blues fans cause for concern. But it was that man again Vinny O'Sullivan who appeared in the box to side foot the ball home. Again we went 2 up, but this time we had to hold on and not conceed a silly goal to give our opponents a chance of a point. While we were suffering in the middle of the park Jimmy decided to change our defence bringing in Seth Lilburn for Rea. This was strange as Seth played really well the previous week in Buckley Park when he took control of the middle of the pitch. Saying this we remained very solid a the back and never really gave Cobh a sniff of goal. Brain Mallon was introduced in the middle for De Lalia who is now turning into a big disappointment after his debut in the RSC against the Irish Junior Team, when he looked an excellent player. Even though I didn't see the incident when Vinny got sent off talk afterwards was that it was a little harsh as the cobh player was all over him, but the referee and Assistant were very close and never makd mistakes!!!!! Murphy replaced Dixon for the last few minutes to run across the line and this he did well.

Another match another victory and a 5 point lead at the top of the table. This year the seaon has been cut short but how blues supporters would like to see it end in the next 2 weeks??