26.7.11
Celtic Park 1, Spartak 2
Spartak did just enough to come out on top of a close encounter where a slower paced second half saw the game open up and yield a host of chances.
All the scores came in a four minute burst just after the interval. A crisp move involving Graham Breen, Glen Burke and Chris Hogan saw Martin Costello, starting up front, slot home. An error by Dave O Kelly gave the home side an opening which they duly took just a minute later, but on 50 minutes Burke and Breen again combined to set up Niall Hanratty. He fired home from the edge of the box, finding the net somewhat more easily than he located the pitch!
Spartak started scrappily and almost conceded twice early on, firstly when Dave Browne was caught out of position, and then when the Sky Blue defence got into a tangle. On neither occasion could the locals take advantage, with Peter O’Toole tidying up effectively.
Most of the creative play for Spartak in the first half emanated from Anto Doyle, always looking to get a passing move going and linking efectively with new boy Conor Canavan, who himself was composed in possession. Dave O’Kelly used the ball well coming out from the back. Graham Breen worked hard up front, but often lacked support.
Celtic Park then shot wide from a good opportunity after Mick Greene was caught ball watching. Mick, however, may have to give lessons in crossing and corner taking after two good efforts by him contrasted with Glen Burke and Doyle’s efforts on the other side.
Spartak’s second half surge was spurred by some good runs by Keith Kelly and Glen Burke. From one move Niall Lennon slpped the full back but then allowed the defender to get back at him before he could shoot. Lennon and Costello both missed from close range after another Kelly run and cross.
Chris Hogan had two long range speculative cross/cum/shots – one startled the keeper by hitting the frame of the goal, and the other was palmed away.
Concentration was slipping in the Sky Blues defence and headers were missed by Browne and O’Kelly; both tended to stand off as the game progressed, allowing time and space to the opposition forwards and leading to chances, while Hogan had to recover smartly after playing the home forwards on side.
Another decent effort, which will help to build fitness and sharpness.
Form Report: Peter O’Toole 7 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 6 Dave O Kelly 7 Dave Browne 6 Shane McInerney 6 Keith Kelly 7 Anto Doyle 6 Stuart Love 6 Graham Breen 7 Martin Costello 6 Niall Lennon 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Chris Hogan 6 Glen Burke 6
