16.8.12
Celtic Park 2 Spartak 3
A late comeback by the Sky Blues showed some evidence of improving fitness; particularly among those, like Stu, Derek, Ross and both Conors who all played for the second time in 24 hours.
There were pleasing aspects to the display; Niall Lennon was calm and creative in midfield; Fintan and Cathal were generally merciless at the back; substitutes Shane and Lee made effective cameo appearances. Derek Ruxton ran aggessively and crossed well.
A defensive lapse allowed Celtic Park to take the lead in a first half in which they held the whip hand. The Sky Blues came out strongly in the second half and Derek Ruxton and Lee Norton were causing problems to the home side. Ross turned in the equaliser (without falling down) before Celtic Park responded when they were able to head home a cross. Spartak continued to press and Shane was denied a penalty as he burst into the box and Conor Callis forced a good stop from the local keeper.
A corner by Lee Norton was headed in by Shane McInerney for the equaliser before Ross Kelly again did his Christy Brown impersonation to force home the winner at the second attempt while on the ground in the 92nd minute.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 5 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Conor Callis 5 Ross Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Lee Norton 7 Shane McInerney 7
