20.2.11
Spartak 2, Swords 2.
Both teams had several chances to clinch the game in a very open last quarter. Spartak had taken a two goal lead, somewhat against the run of play, but a strong Swords comeback yielded them a draw. As the visitors pushed on in search of a goal at two down, the Sky Blues spurned a few gilt edged chances to secure the three points.
Swords began the stronger and Cathal Clancy conceded two frees early on, from the second of which Swords hit the crossbar. Steve Walsh had a lively first half; first a mazy run and cross to the back post, not anticipated by his fellow attackers; then, collecting a great first time pass from Mick Costello, he beat two defenders before finishing on 15 minutes. The visiting keeper, unnerved at conceding, was then caught out of his area in trouble but Martin Costello conceded an easy free.
The visitors continued to press and when Mick Greene was beaten on the by line Swords miskicked in front of an empty goal.
Spartak went two up on 51 minutes when Steve Walsh coolly collected and put Martin Costello down the left. Costello’s perfect cross was finished by Jose Vargas at the back post.
Swords replied on 61 minutes. It was a soft goal from the home side’s viewpoint. A cross to the near post saw a mix up between Mick Greene and Mick Costello, while Robbie Hayes stayed on his line. The visiting forward nodded in from a few yards.
Neill Bolger, on as substitute, then snatched at a chance when put clear by Jose Vargas.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Niall Lennon missed a header and the subsequent through ball caught Fintan Grace and Niall Hanratty napping for the forward to equalise.
Hayes then created his own moment of drama when he miskicked straight to a forward but redeeemed the situation with a save. From the resultant corner Swords volleyed powerfully but just wide.
In the last minute of normal time, Niall Hanratty’s free rebounded off the bar to the onrushing and unmarked Neill Bolger. However he was caught in two minds and and could not direct his effort on target.
Cathal Clancy conceded a free on the edge of the box and the free was touched onto the bar
A final chance came to Spartak but Fidel Benson overran the ball when clean through, alowing the keeper to collect.
A fair result overall to a good contest.
Form Report
Robbie Hayes 5 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 5 Mick Costello 6 Niall Lennon 7 Jose Vargas 6 Steve Walsh 7 Ross Kelly 6 Martin Costello 5 Neill Bolger 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Fidel Benson 5 Ryan Burke Dillon Burke Chris Hogan Colum O’Sullivan.
