26.2.12
Spartak 1 Brendanville 3
Without ever playing well, Spartak created enough chances from set pieces in the first half to be well ahead at half time; instead they finished the half a goal down.
Glen Burke, on another day, night have finished the half with a hat trick, while Seamus McCahill also shot over from close range.
Brendanville created a couple of chances and got the vital goal on 14 minutes when the Sky Blues failed to pick up the thrower and the cross found a gap at the back post which made it easy for the striker.
The home side were bedevilled by poor distribution from the back throughout which frustrated many passing moves. The playing surface was a disgrace to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown – the pitch was bumpy with grass uncut for months despite the warm weather.
A free kick following an eccentric refereeing decision found a visiting player at the back post on 52 minutes and he nudged the ball home. Spartak reduced arrears on 58 minutes when Ciaran Keogh’s corner was deflected in by a defender but in general were reduced to long range efforts, one of which, by Neil McGowan , was spilled by the keeper but retrieved just in time.
A break out goal on 85 minutes sealed the win for a Brendanville side who were solid and rode their first half luck.
Spartak paid dearly for a sleepy start, lack of midfield work rate and poor passing by defenders with time to do better. A disappointing performance.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Dave Browne 5 Ciaran Keogh 5 Steve Grier 5 Alex Kenny 7 Keith Kelly 5 Neil McGowan 6 Glen Burke 6 Seamus McCahill 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Dave Thomson 6 Graham McEnroe 5 Anto Doyle 5 Conor Canavan
