22.9.12
Spartak 1, Leicester 3
After the neat brand of football played in the previous game against the league leaders, Spartak put on a deeply disappointing display.
The game as a spectacle was ruined by a poor referee who favoured neither side but got in the way of a decent contest with bizarre decisions. While Spartak, having less of the play, were punished slightly less than Leicester it made for a frustrating afternoon for both sides.
The midfield battle was lost early; early injury to Steve O’Hara didn’t help but the Leicester midfield did as they wished throughout the game, with superior fitness a telling factor. Dermot Dooley and Graham McEnroe, so influential in good display in the Swords match, were sorely missed for composure and quick passing.
An early Leicester goal arrived when Dave O’Kelly was caught wrong side of the winger ; his defensive colleagues were unable to prevent the cross being converted but Spartak quickly equalised after a fine run by Conor Callis, who drew the keeper and presented Jeff Gamble with a tap in for his first Spartak goal.
Leicester then scored two in three minutes without reply; the Sky Blues defence did not look like a solid unit for this period of the game.
Spartak rallied and had a brief bright spell before half time ; Shane McInerney will wonder how he did not force the ball over the line from a yard out when a score that would have brought the Sky Blues back into the game seemed inevitable ; Jeff Gamble and Joe Roe also had chances, while Mick Costello headed over.
Second half fatigue affected the Sky Blues more than Leicester, compounded by an irresponsible red card for Dave O’Kelly, and only Conor Callis presented an attacking threat; but he lacked support. Leicester always carried the greater threat and Cathal Clancy was relieved to see his interception rebound off the home crossbar.
A day on which very few players in Sky Blue can look back on with satisfaction.
Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O’Kelly 4 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O’Hara 5
Subs: Mark Brady 6 Conor Canavan 5 Barry Maguire 5
