22.5 12
Spartak 4, Knockmitten 5
To concede 5 goals in any match is unfortunate; to concede 5 against a team battling relegation and against whom a clean sheet was maintained on their ground is truly careless.
Spartak scored 4 from about 20 good moves; the visitors only had a couple of attacks which did not result in goals.
Spartak played well, if a little anxiously, in attack, scored four and missed countless other chances.
In Peter O’Toole’s absence Dave Browne took his place between the sticks, and made one excellent save in the first half.
The Sky Blues were somewhat taken aback after dominating the first half hour, and missing many good chances, to find themselves two goals down; a situation from which they never quite recovered, despite some sparkling attacking play.
Dave O’Kelly headed over from close range, then Ger Byrne fired over on the turn. In the panic from the visitors there was a near og and then Keith Kelly had a drive saved.
Ger Byrne broke free and was clipped in the box, he regained his footing but fired a good opportunity wide.
Graham Breen, on an off night, then broke through but fired over closing in on goal.
Dave Browne made a good save, tipping on to the bar, but then a bad kick out on 26 minutes ceded possession; the Sky Blues defence was hesitant and the visitors took the lead. The back 4 again stood off on 36 minutes, allowing the visitors to play tikka takka in the 18 yard box and double their lead.
Ger Byrne pulled one back on 41 minutes with a looping header.
At the start of the second half Ger had another headed chance, but from 5 yards directed the ball into the keeper’s hands; Keith Kelly then struck the bar, with Neil McGowan knocking the rebound over, strangely given offside.
Knockmitten made it 3-1 with a ball down the middle as the Spartak defence, again hesitant, hoped for an offside call, but a magnificent move from Breen and Byrne saw Steve Grier meet the cross to reduce arrears.
But defensive woes continued when Keith Kelly was dispossessed and a rash Paul Kinsella challenge conceded a penalty, and goal number 4.
Again the Sky Blues reduced arrears; Grier won the ball and McGowan’s weighted pass put Stev Walsh through from half way – he kept his head and coolly slotted home.
What prove to be the winning goal came when Alex Kenny passed back and Dave Browne skied the ball; when Kmockmitten won the 50/50, the winger scored with a cross which drifted in at the back post.
Spartak laid siege to the Knockmiten goal and Alex Kenny headed home to make it 4-5. Thom ODriscoll volleyed over, and then in the last minute Paul Kinsella surged to the bye line his cross took the keeper out, but Breen headed against the post! A defender panicked and hacked Graham down, but the ref wasn’t convinced.
Form Report
Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 5 Conor Canavan 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Alex Kenny 7 Steve Grier 8 Neil McGowan 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Steve Walsh 6 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Steve O’Hara 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Mick Greene
