Hill remains upbeat as Cobh reflect on ‘lost’ goal

VIDEO evidence proved that Cobh Ramblers were denied a legitimate goal and a first-leg lead from their Eircom League play-off against Drogheda United at St. Colman’s Park on Wednesday.

But manager Dave Hill yesterday commented: "We just have to grin and bear it."

Cobh full-back Terry White believed he had scored when he fired a shot from 30 yards beyond goalkeeper Gary Rogers 70 minutes into the game when the scored was 2-1 in Drogheda's favour. But when the ball bounced back into play referee Jimmy O'Neill (Wateford) waved play on.

Cobh's complaints were a little muted because most of their players were not sure whether the ball had hit the stanchion at the back of the net, or an upright.

Manager Dave Hill had no doubts. He said: "I thought immediately it was a goal. Some players thought it hit the bar but it bounced around a couple of times before it came back out so it had to be the stanchion.

"I said it to the referee but he waved play on. It is something which has happened before and I suppose it will happen again. I was disappointed for Terry because it was such a good strike and he knew it was a goal."

Cobh maintained their onslaught on the Drogheda defence for the closing quarter of a match that produced an exciting second half and they were rewarded when Willie Bruton scored their second penalty goal in the 83rd minute to leave the tie delicately balanced at 2-2 before Saturday's second leg.

Manager Hill took encouragement from Cobh's first leg performance and said: "Eagerness cost us a little. We were a little bit in awe early on but when we get the ball down and play we can play some great football. And we did in the second half."

Hill believes his team will perform again in Drogheda and said: "There is real pressure on Drogheda now.

"We did not expect to be in this position and now the lads are all enjoying it.

"I reminded them of our Cup match against Shamrock Rovers and that their second goal in a 2-0 win only came after 94 minutes. That proved to me we could play against a Premier team because we put it up to them throughout the second half.

"But you never know in football. Look at Arsenal Wenger said they might go through the season unbeaten and then they lost four games. We'll just go out and do our best and see how far that will take us."