24.3.12
Spartak 1, Ratoath 5
Spartak offered only token resistance to a rampant Ratoath side who were a class above the Sky Blues.
Midfield was ovewhelmed from the start with the visitors midfield showing harder running, stronger tackling and, most tellingly, superior passing . The Ratoath midfield had time and space to pick their passes, and also to make powerful supporting runs, leaving the home midfield looking slow and static. This quickly translated into a two goal lead on 18 minutes, aided by the Sky Blues defence testing out a faulty offside trap. Jason Northey blocked when Mick Greene’s blind back pass created danger and Jason then touched another effort onto the woodwork.
Conor Maguire won and converted a penalty to leave a somewhat flattering half time score of 1-2. Indeed a brief spell at the start of the second period saw Spartak create two chances to equalise, which might have raised spirits, but Conor Maguire’s effort from Niall Lennon’s pass was saved while Dermot Dooley could only direct Chris Hogan’s cross straight at the keeper. The only other chance of note fell to sub Martin Costello but that close range effort was scrambled away.
Ratoath then resumed their rampage with 3 goals between the 52nd and 58th minutes.
5-1 down with over half an hour remaining, it is credit to character that the Sky Blues kept at it doggedly, on a day they seriously underperformed and consequently were so clearly outclassed.
A sobering day and a wake up call.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Niall Lennon 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 5 Shane McInerney 5
Subs: Steve O’Hara 5 Martin Costello 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Derek McGoldrick
