'I've never seen a pitch so narrow': Robson glad Cork City adapted to stay unbeaten

Cork City manager Barry Robson after the game. Pic: Nick Elliott/Inpho

Barry Robson admits he’s getting used to Cork City’s opponents raising their game specifically for tackling his runaway First Division leaders.

City kept their unbeaten record intact on Friday night by coming from behind at Bray Wanderers to claim a 1-1 draw through Conor Drinan’s piledriver.

It leaves them six points clear at the summit 11 games into the campaign.

Former Scotland international Robson assumed control of the relegated side for their latest attempt at an immediate comeback and is content with their progress towards achieving that mission.

It was his first visit to the Carlisle Grounds, stressing the tight artificial pitch forced a tactical tweak after they fell behind on 28 minutes.

He’s adamant that former City goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran handled the ball outside the box when denying substitute Ruairi Keating late on and Bray should have finished with 10 men.

Despite having taken just one point from their previous four games, Bray played like a team with genuine promotion credentials. 

They, too, might have nicked full points through opportunities at 1-1.

“I’ve never seen a pitch so narrow, only 13 metres from the sideline to the 18-yard box,” noted former Celtic midfielder Robson.

“I’m okay with the astros but the small size took me by surprise. That works for Bray, so we had to try to figure that out. We didn’t play in the first half, couldn’t control it in the way we wanted.

“With the pitch being that small, you could see as the game wore on that we had to go direct and change shape a wee bit.

“We looked really good in the second half and should have won it. We’ve all seen the chances. Their goalkeeper was lucky to stay on the pitch from handballing as Ruairi got through. He was outside, grabbed the ball and should have been sent off.” 

Robson did praise the endeavour shown by their opponents, a level he hadn’t observed from his scouting exercise.

“This is a difficult place to come and everybody could see how hard Bray tried against us,” he added about the side sitting in fifth in the table, the last playoff spot.

“They’ve a front three that they throw the behind in. That power and pace can be difficult to deal with and it can hurt you.

“I’m sure their manager would love them to play and run like that every game. In the previous five games I’ve watched, I didn’t see them run that hard. We know they’ll be like that against us and we'll have to get used to teams being that way.” 

Overall, the Rebels boss is pleased with City’s status in the pursuit of the one automatic promotion spot into the 2027 top-flight.

“No matter where we play, we won’t sit in,” he highlighted. “We’ll be heavy on the press and we ended up opening the game up.

“If we’d taken our chances, the game would have been a lot more comfortable for us. Just don’t lose it if you can’t win. And, from that, we’re still unbeaten.” 

City’s next assignment is welcoming Cobh Ramblers to Turner’s Cross for Friday’s Leeside derby.