Spartak 2 Terenure College 1
Early season disruption meant a change of fixture from that published and for Spartak it showed 8 changes from the team which dropped points to Swords. Only Mick Greene, Shane McInerney and Derek McGoldrick have started both games to date!
A tentative start again from Spartak, who went into arrears in 6 minutes, when a follow up shot was drilled in after Peter O’Toole blocked the first effort. In the build up, there had been a blatant push on Rob Flanagan, not penalised by a referee who then allowed a series of bad challenges in a physical contest to go unpunished and a dreadful challenge on Dillon Burke, which ended Dillon’s involvement, punished by a yellow only.
Spartak were living dangerously and Terenure came close when Chris Hogan hesitated with a clearance. A series of defensive errors by Spartak went unpunished: Derek McGoldrick lost his man at a corner, Mick Greene made a hames of a clearance, Peter had a poor goal kick.
Some respite at the other end came when following a good corner routine, Rob Flanagan’s header was cleared off the line, and Tom O’Driscoll’s effort hit the side netting.
Spartak got a great break at the start of the second half, when Kevin Mannion forced home the equaliser from close range from Rob Flanagan’s cross.
With Seamus McCahill on as sub and having a fine spell, it was not long before Spartak added number two, from Seamus, when again Rob provided the assist, and Rob then had a fine turn and shot which struck the post.
Having got into the lead, Spartak then relaxed and allowed the vistors back into the game. Terenure hit the bar, and also blazed over when it looked easier to score.
Chris Hogan made an interesting choice when he passed back to Peter from inside the six yard box, but Peter recovered his composure to clear.
On the break, Tom O’Driscoll had a one on one which he shot tamely at the keeper, and also a couple of good penalty shouts. Niall Lennon put Seamus through but he was too high with his effort.
Spartak were now under the cosh and Cathal Clancy and Mick Greene were manning the pumps with headers and clearances as pressure mounted. Derek McGoldrick made a few fine recovery tackles, and Chris Hogan gradually grew into the unfamiliar full back role.
Peter O’Toole spilled a shot and Terenure missed out, but he then redeemed himself with a brilliant save from a deflected effort in injury time.
Spartak were happy with the three points from a committed performance by a much changed side.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Chris Hogan 6 Dillon Burke 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Greene 7 Shane McInerney 7 Rob Flanagan 7 Kevin Mannion 7 Ross Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Derek McGoldrick 7 Subs Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Lennon 6 Dam O’Connell Ryan Burke
