12.3.2011
Leicester 3 Spartak 1
A late comeback from Spartak was insufficient to cause Leicester any undue worries in this pretty one sided encounter in Loreto Park. When Martin Costello gave away a foolish penalty midway through the second half to give Leicester their third goal it effectively extinguished any hopes of a meaningful comeback, despite a late show of energy and defiance from the Sky Blues.
Leicester’s strike force caused endless problems to the Spartak defence and when Martin Costello was too easily turned the striker crossed for a header neatly finished.
Indeed Leicester had two goals disallowed in mysterious circumstances by the eccentric referee and could have led by more than one at the break. The second disallowed goal came from slack marking by Dave O’Kelly and a dropped cross by Robbie Hayes. Martin Costello’s attempted clearance, in attempting to retrieve the situation, although hitting the back of the net , was adjudged not to have crossed the line!
In truth, the referee ruined the game for both sides, as he wanted to be the centre of attention at all times with some interesting interpretations of the rule book.
Some of Spartak’s most experienced players had serious off days. Dave O’Kelly was frequently caught out of position and slow to recover, and gave way a number of opportunities for the home side. Derek McGoldrick ,on the other flank, suffered a torrid time against a good winger, sometimes diving in too early and too often easily beaten by his man.
Further forward, Spartak failed to hold on to the ball or establish any real rythm or pattern. Jose Vargas was profligate with the ball, and while Ross Kelly worked hard, he lacked incisiveness, although going closest with a short range effort. Dermot Dooley was almost anonymous and Mick Costello well short of his best, shooting wide from decent effort in the first half, but fading later.
Leicester’s second after 52 minutes came from a move which looked well offside, and was finished despite Robbie Hayes initial block.
Spartak had chances, with Mick Costello shooting weakly and Jose Vargas having a close range effort saved.
The best move of the game by the Sky Blues saw Niall Lennon , one of the few Spartak players willing to pass the ball on the day, put Steve Browne away on the right; but his perfect cross was fluffed in turn by both Colum O’Sullivan and Martin Costello.
Having made a mess of an earlier free, Shane McInerney rolled an indirect free in the box to Browne, who roofed it to reduce arrears and put a reasonable gloss on an abysmal performance.
With seven goals conceded in two games, and it could have been more against Leicester, defensive frailties need to be remedied.
Form Report
Robbie Hayes 5 Dave O Kelly 4 Derek McGoldrick 4 Martin Costello 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 4 Niall Lennon 6 Jose Vargas 4 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Costello 4
Subs Steve Browne 6 Colum O’Sullivan 4 Dillon Burke 5 Ryan Burke Jason Northey
