Brookfield 2nds 4, Spartak 2
The uninspiring surroundings of Jobstown Park saw Spartak knocked out of the Leinster Junior Shield after a poor display.
Although Spartak went two up, taking advantage of the massive slope on the pitch, the sky blues never looked convincing and were always beaten to the second ball, and sometimes the first as well. On 10 minutes a good move by Martin Costello, Ross Kelly and Adam Doran panicked the home side into putting through their own goal. Brookfield gave warning by hitting the bar before, on 21 minutes, Niall Hanratty picked up a loose ball and drove in from 18 yards.
Errors by Adam Doran went unpunished as the home side pressed up the hill and Mick Greene conceded a free after being vociferous following a challenge.
On 32 minutes Dave O’Kelly missed his tackle and the home side reduced arrears.
Before the break Spartak missed two great opportunities in what was probably the key point at which could have clinched a decisive lead; Martin Costello drove wide from 12 yads after good work by Doran and Hanratty; and when Dillon Burke hit the bar from point blank range, the rebound fell to Ross Kelly who popped it into the keepers arms from a few yards out.
The second half was one of growing pressure from the home side, who introduced three strong subs, and they struck the bar and the post; additionally Dave O’Kelly cleared just over when under pressure and Dillon Burke made a last ditch tackle.
The last ten minutes proved decisive as Spartak ran out of energy in the middle with the front men unable to make any forward progress and a number of tackles were missed as Brookfield drew level. When Hanratty was slow to close down, a deflected shot gave the lead to Brookfield on 85 minutes and a fourth was added when Spartak pressed forward but lost the ball from Dave O’Kelly’s throw.
Form Report
Mick Greene 5 Chris Hogan 4 Dillon Burke 4 Cathal Clancy 5 Dave O Kelly 5 Martin Costello 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Kevin Mannion 4 Adam Doran 4 Ross Kelly 5 Niall Lennon 5
Subs Mark Bolger 4 Ryan burke 4 Killian Barnwell Jason Northey Rob Flanagan
