13.10.12
Spartak 3, Glasnaoin 2
A game which looked to be heading comfortably the home side’s way was only decided by the narrowest margin against a Glasnaoin side who battled their way back into contention when seeming to be down and out; fitness issues persist for a Sky Blues side which was unable to press home their advantage when in the lead. The second half saw both sides drop the tempo considerably.
Glasnaoin began the better and unforced errors and miskicks by the Sky Blues gave the visitors a couple of half chances, but on 11 minutes a long throw by Anto Doyle was forced in by Ross Kelly. Spurred on by this success, Spartak pressed and Neill Bolger’s run and cross saw Lee Dunne steer a shot home in the 20th minute. Spartak had a period of superiority and Lee then latched on to a defensive error but his attempt was pushed on to the post by the keeper. A long run through by Neill Bolger saw him place his shot too close to the keeper.
Spartak then took their foot off the pedal as the visitors raised their game and when Cathal Clancy was pulled up for a foul the free kick, from a good position, was fired home with Bobby Hayes’s positioning somewhat suspect. Cathal was then fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he apprehended a forward bearing down on goal.
Glasnaoin equalised when, with the Spartak defence pushed to half way, Dermot Dooley was caught in possession almost level with his defence; the forward raced through to equalise.
So 2-2 at the break.
The first minute of the second half saw the best move of the game; Conor Canavan threw the ball in to Cathal Clancy on the left and Cathal fired a long diagonal pass to Chris Hogan, running from right back. Chris played a neat one two down the line with Lee Dunne before delivering a tantalising cross low across the six yard box. Ross Kelly just failed to make contact at the near post, and with Mick Costello ready to strike at the back post the defender intervened to poke the ball past the keeper.
The game certainly dropped in tempo, perhaps understandably with a few players returning from injury and lay offs, and play generally was becalmed. Spartak’s efforts were generally restricted to breakouts; Neill Bolger was the main source of energy and drive and he just failed to find Ross Kelly after a strong run down he left, while later he had an attempted chip just wide. With a little composure added to his undoubted energy and endeavour Neill could have been the player to put the tie beyond all doubt. The Sky Blues back four recovered their composure somewhat after an error strewn first half and Glasnaoin were restricted to long range efforts.
Roll on the draw for Round 2!
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Anto Doyle 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Ross Kelly 6 Lee Dunne 6 Neill Bolger 7 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Barry Maguire 5 Joe Roe 5 Conor Callis
