3.3.12
Leicester 0, Spartak 0
Spartak faced into this match after an unlucky exit from an impressive Shield run and a less glorious exit from the Vere Deane Cup.
On this occasion the performance, energy and concentration levels were back to normal in a good performance against a Leicester side who had recovered form poor early season form and who had a seven game unbeaten run prior to this match.
A hard earned point in a tight match could have been bettered if an early penalty shout had gone Spartak’s way. It looked a clear spot kick when Conor Maguire was hauled down, however the referee, otherwise excellent, was unsighted.
In a game of relatively few chances, Leicester struck the post with a shot from distance and fell foul of the offside trap a few too many times. Spartak’s finishing and decision making in the final third were not quite good enough to breach the home defence.
Spartak had slightly the better of the opening half without creating clear cut chances. Mick Greene’s effort from a long range free tested the keeper; Derek Ruxton overlapped in the best move of the first half involving a build up by Seamus McCahill, Steve Walsh and Mick Greene, but Derek fired wide.
The third quarter saw Leicester push on; in this period they struck the post and forced a number of corners. Paul Kinsella displayed a welcome return to fitness and form and marshalled the troops at the back to a deserved clean sheet.
Spartak broke in a sweeping move by Conor Maguire and Steve Walsh but Seamus McCahill volleyed wide. Conor Maguire in a solo effort was forced too wide and in the very last minute Steve Walsh’s shot was too close to the keeper.
Overall a decent performance, lacking only the final flourish which might have killed off the home challenge.
Form Report
Stephen Harris 8 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 7 Fintan Grace 7 Paul Kinsella 8 Derek Ruxton 7 Niall Lennon 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Ross Kelly 7 Stephen Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7
Subs : Derek McGoldrick 5 Dave O Kelly 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Costello
