Greenhills 3 Spartak 0
With the hosts starting the game with only 9 players, Spartak had the chance to press home the numerical advantage but comprehensively failed to do so, despite the level of experience on view and indeed showed lttle appetite for the contest from the off. Set up for a tight game Spartak were content to play deep against one attacker, and with wide men Jason Doyle and Ray Grady unable to make any impression with crosses or runs the front two were left isolated. Spartak’s passing generally was ragged in a lack lustre first half performance in which central midfielders Brian Stafford and Frank McNamee were unable to impose themselves on the game.
As Greenhills came up to strength with late arrivals, they began to take control of the middle with some good interchanges, but it was not until Jimmy Browne’s catastrophic error in dropping the ball that they took advantage and scored. The lead was doubled when the Spartak defence was caught on the turn with no cover. Spartak made changes which improved things somewhat and Paul Burke clipped the bar with one effort.
More changes at half time gave Spartak some impetus and Shay McClafferty had a good effort saved. The hard running of Paul Tormey was not sufficiently supported by his colleagues to make the required breakthrough as Spartak came into the match for the first time and Fintan Grace might have shot instead of passing when clear in the box. Rory Campbell delayed his shot when in a good position and the chance was lost.
Greenhills wrapped it up when Paul Burke found himself behind his back four and played the hosts onside to score.
Overall a tame surrender with hardly a shot fired in anger.
Form Report
Jimmy Browne 4 Shay McClafferty 5 Gerry Doran 5 Dave Mohan 4 Greg Callan 5 Brian Stafford 5 Jason Doyle 4 Frank McNamee 5 Paul Tormey 7 Rory Campbell 5 Ray Grady 4
subs Paul Burke 4 Ken Byrne 4 Tom Maher 6 Barry Crowe 6 Fintan Grace 6
