9.9.12
St Vincents Hospital 2, Spartak 0
A dogged home side took advantage of a gift goal and defended well as Spartak chased the game; a second goal a few minutes from time, as the Sky Blues went gung-ho for an equaliser, clinched the tie.
Overall it was a tight game , well controlled by the ref, with Vincents combative and certainly more match fit. Space was denied as both sides worked hard.
Spartak had by far the greater number of chances in the first half and took the game to the home side; and yet Vincents were ahead at the break. A free kick on 28 minutes from half way drifted to the net past Brian O’Keeffe for a howler, and something which gave the home side defensive purpose.
Seamus McCahill might have put Spartak a couple of goals in front but headed first off target and then straight at the keeper. Derek Ruxton fired a snapshot just over.
Spartak pressed from the start of the second half and a turning pointcame when the home keeper took off a snap save from Neil McGowan’s effort. Spartak spared nothing in the chase for an equaliser and Dave Thomson headed over, Conor Maguire was just short of reaching Keith Kelly’s cross, Steve Grier, stretching, poked just wide as desperation mounted.
Steve Grier was pushed forward with a few minutes remaining but the 3 man defence were unable to prevent Vincents converting a cross to settle the game.
With an influx of younger players who were prominent in the match Spartak can take positives from the game; Aodhan McCahill had a good game on his debut; Steve Walsh gradually got to the pace of the game, as did Paul Kinsella. Conor Maguire foraged well in attack, but lacked sufficient support.
Form Report
Brian O’Keeffe 4 Nial Hanratty 5 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Derek Ruxton 5
Subs : Keith Kelly 5 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 5 Anto Doyle Jason Northey
