Spartak Dynamo FC

Ratoath 6 Spartak 1

A leg weary Spartak side, playing their third game in six days against fresh opponents, capitulated early in the second half to a heavy defeat. The LSL fixture secretary, having messed up all season, predictably set 3 games for six days and then no game on this coming Saturday or in midweek. It takes a special type of talent to make such lop sided arrangements, and perhaps Spartak need to be more vocal in response. For example this game could have been played the following week when neither team had a mid week game.

As well as tiredness, Jason Northey, beaten from a 30 yard free kick in the first minute, had his worst game of the season and conceded six without making a save. In conceding so many,  he was culpable in respect of poor judgment or decisiveness in leaving his line. When Jason was injured in conceding number six, Mick Costello took over between the sticks as Spartak finished with ten.

Martin Costello and Shane McInerney carried knocks into the game with hamstring and groin problems respectively, out of necessity, as Spartak’s large panel dwindled at the prospect of a distant mid week game.  Mick Greene was forced off before half time after blocking a pile driver with his head. Tom O’Driscoll, also injured going into the match, had to be substituted just after half time. 

Spartak never functioned as an attacking force, with players opting to thump the ball down the middle or run with the ball until dispossessed rather than take the option of a pass. Both full backs wasted possession and the midfield never got a foot on the ball. The strikers were restricted to battling for aerial possesion. As a result Ratoath enjoyed the majority of possession and threatened to overwhelm the visitors in the first half.

One nil down from the first minute, Spartak held out till half time by dint of some dogged defending, but without putting a move together or testing the home keeper.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Ratoath score three times, the first when Rob Deering and Martin Costello were beaten, the  second when Northey came for and missed a cross; the next a penalty after a mix up between Northey and Mark Bolger. Then on 68 minutes Martin Costello was caught in possession and was unable to prevent number 5.  

Spartak’s lone goal came at 0-5 down from an optimistic long range shot by Neill Bolger which the home keeper allowed pass under his diving body. 

The sixth and final goal on 75 minutes saw Northey again slow off his line and beaten; however in the clash with the forward he took a knock and Mick Costello went in goal.

An extremely  poor performance even allowing for the mitigating factors of tiredness against a fresh team who had not played Monday.

Form Report

Jason Northey 4 Dave O’Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 4 Anto Doyle 4 Rob Deering 4 Colm O’Sullivan 4 Tom O’Driscoll 4  Neill Bolger 4

Subs: Mark Bolger 5 Ross Kelly4 Mick Costello 6

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