18.8.12
Aston Village 3 Spartak 0
The squad for this game, in a friendly on the day when the season started, was: : Bobby Hayes, Dan O Connell Cathal Clancy Rob Deering Niall Lennon Shane McInerney Niall Lennon Neill Bolger Dermot Dooley Mick Costello Kevin Mannion Ross Kelly Dara Comerford Lee Norton.
Oh no, that’s just the list of those 14 (FOURbloodyTEEN!) who were not available to play or who did not bother their behind to show up or answer a text. None of these players were injured. When so many “regulars” decide to pull out or, more precisely, not make that extra little effort to get there, disaster lies just around the corner. Such a lack of commitment by the Saturday boys is not sustainable and speaks volumes for their lack of ambition and desire at this crucial stage of pre season.
That the local team benefited from two offside goals and a cruel deflection to win the game is probably neither here nor there.
The lads who were there put in a decent shift in very warm conditions and kept the game competitive; the experienced duo of Fintan and Tony at the heart of the defence were excellent and Conor Canavan, a volunteer keeper, made some fine stops.
Conor Callis might have given the Sky Blues the lead after getting past the keeper, but his weak left footed effort allowed the keeper to recover; he also forced the keeper into a good save later. Aodhan McCahill was pressed into a midfield role and did not look out of place while Jeff Gamble did well until lack of fitness told.
Martin Costello and Tony Kavanagh answered late calls to ensure we did not have the ignominy of pulling out of the game and sullying the club’s reputation. For poor Martin the bright sunshine did not agree with him following his last day at work.
Form Report
Conor Canavan 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Barry Maguire 5 Tony Kavanagh 8 Fintan Grace 8 Aodhan McCahill 7 Martin Costello 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Conor Callis 6 Edo Maino 5 Paul McGowan 4
