23.9.12
Spartak 1, Shamrock Rovers (Wexford) 5
The Leinster Junior Cup draw matched Spartak with the Wexford Premier Champs, one of the best junior sides in the country; and injuries, illness and other absentees made the Sky Blues task all the more difficult.
When faced with superior opposition it is always imperative that the underdog scores first; preferably after a decent scoreless time to build frustration in the favourites. Unfortunately the Wexford boys scored from a corner after just 7 minutes when the forward was able to stoop in the centre of the six yard box to head home after his run evaded the static home defenders.
The game ran upon predictable lines, with the visitors no.9 and no.6 in a class apart; having said that the goals were conceded by elementary defensive mistakes, clinically punished, rather than by brilliant play. The second came directly from a stray defensive pass; the third was another clever run by the no.9 and the fourth from another stray pass by the overworked Spartak defence.
The Sky Blues pulled one back when Dave Browne’s throw was fed to Graham McEnroe by Dave Thomson and Graham’s through ball was expertly converted by the lively Conor Maguire.
A last minute penalty, after a comical mix up, completed the visitors’ scoring.
The work rate and endeavour of the Sky Blues showed a good spirit; and losing to a superior side is never a disgrace; but the real tests for this re-shaped side lie ahead in the League. There were encouraging signs of determination but defensive qualities need to be strengthened to avoid the basic mistakes of recent games.
September 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Can you notch me down to a 5 there Paul at least. We conceded 5 goals, no way a defender should be rated a 6 for conceding 5 goals.