Spartak Dynamo FC

19.11.11
Spartak 2, Booth Road 4.

Spartak found themselves 1-4 down mid way through the second half despite having an equal share of possession and chances. Two of the visitors’ scores had large elements of luck about them, one score was an attempted cross while the second goal was the result of a block tackle sending the ball spinning crazily past stand in goalkeeper Mick Greene, who was solid throughout and who was faultless for the goals conceded.

The Sky Blues had at least as many scoring chances, but were not sufficiently clinical while any breaks went the way of the visitors.

With Ross Kelly’s hamstring acting up, Bobby Hayes absent and Shane McInerney and Dave O’Kelly on the bench despite muscle strains, the home side had to juggle their resources somewhat.

Booth are a strong outfit and started briskly and Chris Hogan was caught napping early on, conceded a free which was cleared.

From a corner kick Cathal Clancy was outmuscled by the striker, who headed in on 17 minutes. The Spartak equaliser came on the half hour and was a wonderful move, with Chris Hogan and Conor Maguire setting up Niall Hanratty whose fine low cross invited Martin Costello to knock in from close range.

The deflected goal then gave the visitors the lead two minutes before the break.

Spartak made a decent effort to equalise and had the ideal opportunity as Martin Costello broke free on the left with Niall Hanratty free in the middle, but Martin’s attempted square pass went straight to the keeper. Just afterwards Martin turned in the box but his shot was tipped over.

The third goal was the flighted cross; a lucky break for the visiors on 74 minutes .
Spartak never gave up, and spurred on by Hanratty’s never say die attitude they set up a number of chances. Mick Costello was just wide after Steve Walsh’s run and cross, and Steve had an effort saved after a pass by Martin.

With the back four pushing on trying desperately to get back in the game, a Booth player broke from the half way line, pursued by Niall Lennon, who failed to close the gap, and a low shot made it 4-1.

A goalkeeping error gave Conor Maguire the chance to get one back. Even with the keeper out of position he still had plenty to do and and he coolly fired home. Steve Walsh had a couple of runs and crosses, as did Martin Costello, but

When Conor Maguire was fouled just outside the box, Shane McInerney, just a few yards out, somehow failed to connect with Niall Hanratty’s free.

Small margins made a big difference.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Chris Hogan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 5 Niall Lennon 5
Niall Hanratty 7 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 6 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neill Bolger 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dave O’Kelly

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