15.10.11
Spartak 3, Three Trout Rovers 0
In this Leinster Junior Shield First Round match, Spartak played hosts to a newly formed UCFL Div 3 side.
A 2nd minute goal settled the home side when Ryan Burke drilled home after a good move. However there was a long wait till the 44th minute for the next effort on target when a looping Shane McInerney shot was tipped over.
Possession was frequently squandered, even from throw ins, and movement at corners was limited .
Despite playing five in midfield Spartak did not dominate possession and were reliant on solid interventions by Cathal Clancy and Fintan Grace to ensure the lead remained.
The visitors had an effort scrambled clear by Jason Northey after a free kick conceded by Neill Bolger
Cathal made a great last ditch tackle when the Three Trout forward bore down on goal after confusion about the defensive line. Jason Northey had to make a couple of decent interventions as the visitors threatened.
On 63 minutes a slick passing move involving Chris Hogan and Ryan Burke gave Ross Kelly the chance to put in a good cross, which Colum O’Sullivan headed neatly home for number 2 to make the game safe.
The visitors never stopped trying and created a number of openings, but suffered from the lack of a finishing touch. Three Trout had a shout for a penalty for handball against Cathal Clancy, but the ref, who was quite lenient to both sides, waved away claims.
As the game meandered and the pace dropped, the Sky Blues scored a third goal on 77 minutes when Cathal again won possession with a crunching tackle; Niall Hanratty’s long ball sent Ross Kelly clear and he made no mistake.
On to Round 2 with a clean sheet and
Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Chris Hogan 7 Dillon Burke 6 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 8 Neill Bolger 6 Colum O’Sullivan 6 Ryan Burke 7 Steve Walsh 6 Ross Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 6
Subs: Niall Hanratty 7 Martin Costello 5 Conor Maguire 5 Fidel Benson Jose Vargas Dave O’Kelly Niall Lennon Mick Greene
