Spartak 0, Greenhills 1
Spartak, having had the better of first half exchanges, faded in the second period and despite some fine late saves from Jimmy Browne, Greenhills forced the winner in the 87th minute.
Probably Spartak’s best move and chance came in the second minute when Paul Tormey swept the ball wide to Liam Cullen, on the overlap, and his cross was met by Rory Campbell in the six yard box. Unfortunately the header was just too high.
An assured performance at the back restricted the visitors attack in the opening period, and Spartak, with five men strung across the middle, had more chances on the break, with claims for a penalty when lone striker Campbell was impeded and then Tormey’s downward header rebounded unluckily over the bar.
Spartak’s pattern was upset as substitutions for tiring players were made, and few chances were created in the second period. McNamee’s header from Doran’s free was well gathered by the keeper but other set pieces proved less productive as advantage was taken of a free at the edge of the box and corner kick overhit. Rory Campbell’s penchant for running into offside positions also upset attacks on occasion.
With just one in attack for the home side, Greenhills were able to move the ball from defence easily, and pushed more men forward as time wore on.
Tony Kavanagh, who was assured at the back, had to retire with hamstring problems and that seemed to unsettle the balance of the defence to the extent that Jimmy Browne was forced to make two smart saves to deny the visitors.
With Spartak seeming to settle for a point, a deflection on a long ball took out the central defenders and the visiting winger was through. Jimmy Browne took off another splendid block but then an unfortunate tangle between Browne and Ken Byrne, as they both scrambled to clear, allowed the forward to slot home.
No reward on this occasion for a solid, if unadventurous, performance.
Form Report
Jimmy Browne 8 Liam Cullen 7 Gerry Doran 7 Tony Kavanagh 8 Dave Mohan 7 Paul Burke 6 Mark Byrne 5 Paul Tormey 6 Rory Campbell 6 Frank McNamee 6 Ken Byrne 7 Senan O’Duchan 6 Shay McClafferty 4 Leon David 5 Greg Callan 6
