Scoreless in Cobh as Longford Town pick up a point

On top throughout the first half and who looked in a good position to collect all three points, Longford Town had to settle for a scoreless draw against Cobh Ramblers in the First Division league clash at St Colman’s Park on Friday night. 

Cobh Ramblers . . . 0   Longford Town . . . 0 

Although they kept another cleansheet, vital goals have become a very scarce commodity for Wayne Groves score-shy side this season with just one successful strike (the winner against Bray last weekend) in the last five matches, a draw is still a decent result against the form team.

Winners of their last three fixtures in shooting up the table, Cobh came into the game in a confident frame of mind but were unable to find a way past the competent Longford keeper Kian Moore in this tight contest.  

Currently seventh in the league table, improving Town will  be hoping to gain a vital win when they take on Kerry FC at Bishopsgate on Saturday night next (kick-off 7.30pm) despite their injury problems with commanding central defender Cole Omorehiomwan the most notable absentee. 

Clear-cut chances failed to materialise as Cobh increased their unbeaten run in the league to four games while Longford will be satisfied in picking up a point at such a difficult venue to remain on course for a place in the promotion play-offs.  

The Ramblers did get forward when space allowed in the face of stern resistance from the Longford defence with an early effort by Oran Crowe flashing just wide at the back post. 

Former Longford player Dylan McGlade also stepped up to take a free-kick at the start of the second half and the winger tested Kian Moore.

Longford Town held their own in response, creating a number of chances, but failed to get through the opposing defence who were splendidly marshalled by Garry Buckley.

The Ramblers eventually went to their bench in an attempt to change things up, replacing their forward line with Kai O’Neill and Wilson Waweru who came on for Rhys Kelly Noonan and McGlade.

Longford did likewise with strikers Daragh Murtagh, Francis Campball and Stefan Ugbesia all getting the opportunity to change the course of the game in the closing stages but it did not happen.  

COBH RAMBLERS: Martin, Honohan, Frahill, Gourdie, McGlade, Brennan, Curtin, Crowe, Kelly-Noonan, Carroll, Buckley.

Subs:- Griffin for Frahill (half-time); O’Neill for McGlade (67 mins); Wawera for Kelly-Noonan (75 mins); Linehan for Curtin (83 mins). 

LONGFORD TOWN: Kian Moore, Alex O’Brien, Taylor McCarthy, Conor Errity, Osaze Irhue, Sultan Adenekan, Daniel McKenna, Pharrell Manuel, Aaron Doran, Andy Paraschiv, Dean Willians. 

Subs:- Jake Hough for Errity (injured, 12 mins); Daragh Murtagh for Williams (75 mins); Stefan Ugbesia for Paraschiv (81 mins); Francis Campbell for Manuel (81 mins);   

Referee: Declan Toland.