8.10.11
Spartak1 Laytown 1
Laytown took the initiative at first and Spartak had some early scares. When Martin Costello was beaten the lack of cover was exposed, but the forward fired wide and minutes later Martin and Fintan Grace were eluded by the visting attack but again the shot was across goal and wide.
A foul on Neill Bolger gave the Sky Blues a free in a good position, but Martin Costello’s side footed effort was too weak to trouble the keeper.
Once again Laytown took control and Martin cleared off the line and then in the follow up was deemed not to have handled on the line before Laytown blazed over. Minutes later Laytown again burst past the defensive line but shot wide.
Spartak were not enjoying any bouts of possession and were generally second best around the park. The Laytown midfield was on top and it was just as well for the Sky Blues that the Louth forwards were profligate.
Against the run of play Spartak took the lead on 40 minutes. Neill Bolger was again fouled. Mick Greene fired in a dangerous free from the left between the keeper and defence and good runs by Fintan Grace and Ross Kelly caused confusion in the visitors defence. Ross took control and evaded the keeper before shooting in.
In the second period the pattern continued. Bobby Hayes lost the ball in a challenge at the edge of the penalty area and the visitors were denied only by superb blocks by Chris Hogan and Martin Costello before Niall Hanratty had a rush of blood to the head and poked the ball towards the open goal. Again the clearance came just in time.
Spartak midfield did not come to terms with the visitors and were unable to give Ross Kelly the necessary support as the Laytown midfield determined the pace of the game and controlled possession.
Laytown had two thirds possession, some of it gifted from Sky Blues throws and attempted passes.
No one in the middle was able to put their foot on the ball and dictate the tempo of the play, and some of the home players struggled to keep with the pace of the game, which at times was at a frenetic level.
Laytown levelled matters from a throw in flicked on into the 6 yard box, and the home defence was flatfooted as the forward poked in the equaliser.
There were two more main chances to get a winner.
Bobby Hayes made a fine save to deny Laytown following a loss of possession in a dangerous area.
The inroduction of Fidel Benson and Colum O’Sullivan added some energy and attacking urgency to the home cause and Steve Walsh belatedly came to life. Steve almost won the game with a coruscating dribble , beating three men and finishing with a shot which cannoned off the bar.
Spartak had to be happy with a point with the visitors extremely frustrated that they did not turn possession into goal supremacy.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 7 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 6 Fintan Grace 6 Neill Bolger 5 Jose Vargas 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Steve Walsh 6 Ross Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 5
Subs: Cathal Clancy 6 Colum O’Sullivan 6 Fidel Benson 6 Ryan Burke Dillon Burke
