Spartak Dynamo FC

10.9.11
Spartak 1, Esker Celtic 0

The Sky Blues had to work hard for this victory, due in no small part to a fine goalkeeping display by Bobby Hayes and a very reasonable slice of good fortune. The visitors, who struck the woodwork three times as well as giving Hayes a testing work out and who also had a late penalty claim denied, will feel very hard done by.

Spartak opened brightly, and a neat 1-2 with Martin Costello set Colum O’Sullivan free but his attempt was weak and close to the keeper. Steve Walsh’s good run and cross gave Martin Costello an opportunity but his header was off target.

Esker then had a long range effort which smacked off the bar before being cleared. Spartak then had a blow when Niall Lennon, who had started creatively in midfield, had to go off with a hamstring injury. Esker gradually asssumed midfield control and had a few chances. They hit the post and Hayes recovered the situation for the home side. When Mick Greene was caught on the turn the no 7, luckily for Spartak, fatally delayed his shot as the angle worsened.

Just on half time a great break saw Dave O’Kelly send Martin Costello away down the left, and when he rolled the ball invitingly across the six yard box, Colum O’Sullivan could only steer the ball back to the grateful keeper.

Esker pressure continued at the start of the second half when Hayes conceded an unnecessary corner, but Spartak gained the vital advantage when Colum O’Sullivan was fouled on the left corner of the box. Mick Greene’s free may not have been the most powerful, but lacked nothing in accuracy. 1-0.

Spartak were now more or less overrun in the middle of the park and relying on break outs. Niall Hanratty was yellow carded after stopping a dangerous break.

The home side did have a few chances to add to the lead. O’Sullivan shot wide coming in from the left and Shane McInerney spurned a good shooting opportunity from 18 yards, blazing well over. Fidel Benson, through on goal, was muscled out without getting a shot in.

Mostly, however, play was concentrated at the other end. A McInerney miskick at the edge of the box saw Hayes come to the rescue with a tip over save. He also pushed a good effort on to the post and raced out of his goal to clear the danger on a few occasions.

With 98 minutes on the clock(!), there was a clash in the box between Dave O’Kelly and a visiting forward, who went to ground. To the relief of the home side, the ref awarded an indirect free , which was twice taken. Hayes gratefully grasped the second effort and Spartak were home and hosed.

Spartak were grateful for a day when most things went their way.

Form Report:
Robbie Hayes 8 Niall Hanratty 7 Mick Greene 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 6 Niall Lennon 6 Chris Hogan 5 Steve Walsh 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Shane McInerney 5 Ross Kelly 5 Fidel Benson 5 Shane Corrigan Ryan Burke

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