Spartak Dynamo FC

On Sunday the over 35,s travelled to Sevitt Fc from Gormanstown where

a place in the 1/4 finals of the Clifford cup was up for grabs.We played a 4-5-1 formation which has been good to us in the Cup but probably wasn’t the wisest decision by management on the day due to it being a narrow pitch.The pitch itself left a lot to be desired and was played on the day before.We packed the midfield which confused the opposition and ourselves at times.We took an early lead with a great set piece from a corner. Dave Mohan called for the short corner which distracted the full backs who tried to close him down, Frank McNamee spotted this and timed a super run to the near post and with pinpoint accuracy Paul (Scholsey) Burke obliged with a super corner for Frank to head home.

 

One up and the home team stunned,we started to make a few mistakes at the back. The opposition pressed , our back line were a bit confused ,balls over the top, Jimmy slow getting off his line,Barry Crowe getting involved for all the wrong reasons with whoever wanted a row and with all this plotting against us no-one was prepared for what came next .A defensive clearance from Matt Grimes reached the half way line and Paddy Hughes came to collect. Paddy went on a run and was forced into the corner.Under pressure Paddy made some space for himself and about a yard off their back line and about twenty yards from the goal, Paddy looked up spotted the keeper at his near post, Paddy somehow managed to loop a ball with precision over the keeper into the net.Now were all stunned and with great admiration and a slight nod of the head in disbelief from the opposition Manager were two up and game on.We went in at half time 2 up and a bit mesmerised that we werent 3-2 down. 

 

Second half started with a lot of pressure from the opposition and they were starting to get on top.Then they got their first, a bit of confusion in our back line let there forward in to score from down the left side. Second goal came with about ten mins left and it was very fortunate for them..Tony Kavanagh hit the deck after a very hefty challenge and follow through in our own box, so all the Spartak players stopped and waited for the referee to blow his whistle for a free out and much to everyones amazement, he didn’t. A twenty yard shot defelected in past Jimmy and were heading to penos.Credit to Spartak who didn’t flinch and scored all five penos after Sevitt missed their 5^th one.

 

Peno 1:Paddy Hughes   Peno 2:Paul Burke Peno 3:Graham Johnston Peno 4:Barry Crowe Peno 5:Matt Grimes.

 

Over 35’s squad:

Jimmy Brown 6, Dave Mohan 7, Greg Callan 7, Tony Kavanagh 7, Barry Crowe 6, Ken Byrne 6, Frank McNamee 8, Brian Stafford 8, Paul Burke 4, Matt Grimes 7, Paddy Hughes 8.

Subs: Tom Maher 6, Shea Mcafferty 6,Gary Harte 6, Graham Johnston 6 and Rory Campbell 9.

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