Cobh Ramblers return to winning ways with five-goal thriller against Athlone Town

Cobh Ramblers' Cian Coffey celebrates a goal. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

ATHLONE TOWN 2 COBH RAMBLERS 3

Cobh Ramblers bounced back to winning ways and reclaimed second spot in the table with a thrilling win over Athlone Town.

The visitors got off to the perfect start by taking the lead after just two minutes. A long ball forward picked out Barry Coffey, who volleyed past the goalkeeper.

David Bosnjak then had two chances to increase the lead but he saw a shot saved and a header go over. The lead was eventually doubled midway through the half.

Samuel Bellis was the provider as he sent in a low cross from the end line which was side footed home from close range by Coffey.

The Rams number eight then came close to claiming his hat-trick but he fired across the face of goal, moments after Timothy Martin had blocked a Gideon Tetteh effort at the other end.

It was one of the few times the Cobh keeper was tested in the opening half as the visitors generally dominated.

Athlone made three changes at the break and one of those subs, Ben Feeney, set up Kyle Robinson for the first chance of the second half but the shot went wide.

The hosts reduced the deficit after 57 minutes. Tetteh fired low past the keeper after Kailin Barlow’s free kick had been cleared.

The two goal advantage was restored just after the hour mark though when Bosnjak met a right wing cross to fire home.

Tetteh made the closing stages more interesting with his second goal after 77 minutes but Cobh held on.

Elsewhere a Lee Devit hat-trick inspired Treaty United to a 5-1 victory over Longford Town while a Benjamin Fagbemi own goal helped Wexford to a 2-1 win away at Bray Wanderers where referee Darragh White showed a number of red cards after full time. 

Athlone Town: Connor, Hand, Omorehiomwan (Rodriguez H/T), Baba, Gilmore (McKenna H/T), Babatunde (Feeney H/T), Barlow (Lennon 64), Robinson (Sheerin 76), Torre, Tetteh, Connolly.

Cobh Ramblers: Martin, O’Keeffe, S Griffin, Coffey (Abbott 55), Murphy, Coleman, Bosnjak (Evers 64), Hakkinen, S Griffin (Holland H/T), LeBervet, Bellis.

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin).