Spartak 2 Swords 2
Spartak, having bossed the opening 15 minutes, suddenly found themselves 0-2 down when two long balls down the middle were defended poorly.
Early opportunities from Colum O’Sullivan Jose Vargas and Glen Burke were off target before a mix up between Mick Greene and Dave Browne gave Swords a surprise lead. The problem was compounded a minute later, on 17 minutes, when Dave Browne was caught under a long ball and could not recover in time to prevent number 2.
Spartak recovered from their shock and Shane McInerney struck the bar with a snapshot, O’Sullivan’s close range shot was saved and Vargas goal was disallowed for handball.
On 36 minutes a Dave Browne throw was flicked on by Mick Costello to Glen Burke who struck the bar from close range, but Mick Costello recovered to turn the ball in. Vargas had a good run but his efort was saved.
Spartak were all set up for a storming second half display but it never materialised. McInerney and Dooley faded in midfield and Spartak’s forward play lacked fire.
There was a good shout for a penalty before Dooley shot wide and Spartak had to wait until the 79th minute when a long free from Keith Kelly was powerfully headed home by Dave Browne for his first ever goal for the club.
Spartak failed to press on, with the enigmatic Glen Burke fading in and out of the game, the players in sky blue slow to the second ball. Both full backs failed to push on and the midfielders showed no desire to get on the end of crosses or passes.
Indeed Spartak were grateful to Mick Greene who pulled off a point saving stop when the visiting number 9 had eluded a couple of defenders.
Two really poorly conceded goals and a lack of desire from too many players to get on the scoresheet meant Spartak had to settle for a single point. There will be tougher opponents.
Form Report
Mick Greene 6 Tony Kavanagh 7 Derek McGoldrick 6 Keith Kelly 7 Dave Browne 6 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 6 Jose Vargas 6 Colum O’Sullivan 6 Glen Burke 6 Mick Costello 7
Subs Mark Bolger 5 Dillon Burke 5 Ryan Burke 6 Mike Hull Chris Hogan Rob Flanagan.
