15.9.12
Swords Celtic 3 Spartak 1
Early dominance by the Sky Blues was not matched with goals and the home side led 1-0 at the break, despite midfield superiority by Spartak.
Dermot Dooley, Graham McEnroe and Jeff Gamble controlled most of the first half, with some fine overlapping runs and crosses by Chris Hogan and good ball carrying by Conor Callis.
A fine passage of play saw Joe Roe’s header placed too close to the keeper and then when Dooley and Gamble combined well to put Roe through on goal, he struck the post with his effort. Dermot Dooley then volleyed just wide.
After a rare break by Swords, Bobby Hayes presaged a period of Swords pressure with a poor throw out; and from the resulting corner a home player headed just over.
Swords took the lead , very much against the run of play ,on 39 minutes, when the winger eluded Chris Hogan to cross and the striker turned to convert.
The second half began with almost a reprise of the goal when the winger again beat Chris Hogan all too easily and the no.8 shot wastefully wide.
All three subs for Spartak had a considerable impact as tired legs were replaced.
A neat move involving McEnroe, Callis and Conor Maguire gave Dermot Dooley a great chance, but he shot over with a left footed effort.
Swords were proving dangerous on the break as the Sky Blues pressed for an equaliser; Hayes saved and also made an oufield foray, but the game turned against Spartak when Conor Callis’ volley was blocked and the home side immediately broke to score.
Not to be outdone, the Sky Blues responded strongly and McEnroe converted a penalty after a foul on Niall Lennon and then almost immediately Mark Brady had a chance to equalise; his shot was saved and again the home side broke to score, and clinch the game.
Spartak, despite playing the neater football on the day, were left to rue chances missed and some loose defending.
From Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Canavan 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Conor Callis 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Graham McEnroe 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Niall Lennon 7 Conor Maguire 7 Mark Brady 5
