14.10.12
Spartak 4, Beechwood 2
Spartak produced a good performance gaining their first win in four games thanks to some clinical finishing and a spirited all round effort in a fast paced encounter on a rainy morning in Marlay.
The benefits of a squad closer to full strength saw fine impacts from the substitutes to clinch the win. With Keith Kelly , Paul Kinsella and Graham McEnroe all still to return the squad now looks in better shape for the tough battles ahead.
A high intensity start saw the Sky Blues immediately pressurise their opponents; Steve Walsh’s free was touched away by the Beechwood keeper, Niall Hanratty had a shot blocked, a sweeping move by Neil McGowan and Walsh put Conor Maguire away to shoot over; then Neil robbed a home defender to shoot home low right footed from the edge of the box. And that was just the first four minutes!
Almost immediately Stuart Love headed wide from close range but then the visitors got their act together and, combined with some defensive errors, came very close to scoring. There were several near misses and also a couple of scrambles which featured point blank saves by Jason Northey and goal line clearances by Hanratty. Beechwood were aided by the fact that the Spartak defenders’ distribution was often poor, sometimes alternating between too slow or just panicky.
Steve Walsh had a chance when put through by Neil McGowan but the keeper saved; Steve Grier’s free was saved after Stuart Love was fouled;and when Conor Maguire swung over the resultant corner Seamus McCahill missed a glorious headed opportunity. Beechwood then had a good move and finish but much to home relief the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside. Steve Grier then fired just over just before the break.
Amazingly there was only one goal to show for a half which saw some fine attacking play from both sides.
A neat move in the 47th minute saw Spartak extend their lead; Stuart Love passed inside to Neil McGowan who quickly fed Steve Grier on the burst; his sublime pass gave Conor Maguire the opportunity, and he showed great composure to finish.
On 56 minutes Beechwood got back in the game; With Spartak penned back, Neil McGowan’s clearance was short and when the ball was played back in he was turned in the box and the striker blasted home. Adam Doran then substituted for a hamstrung Neil McGowan to immediate effect. A neat move with Steve Walsh and Stuart Love saw Adam provide the “hollywood” ball, releasing Conor Maguire who neatly rounded the keeper before finishing.
Beechwood continued to press and the game looked far from safe; and when Aodhan McCahill fouled a player at the corner of the box they reduced arrears on 72 minutes. While the Spartak wall obediently lined up a good ten yards away the visiting player popped the ball into the far corner past a startled Jason Northey without waiting for a whistle. 3-2.
At that point the spread betters on the sideline were punting heavily on a Beechwood comeback.
However it was the Sky Blues who struck the decisive blow with the redoubtable Niall Hanratty playing a wonderful pass down the line to Derek Ruxton, who fired in a trademark cross. Seamus McCahill and Conor Maguire were lurking but the defender intevened with a handball. Conor Maguire stepped up to despatch the penalty and complete his hat trick on 81 minutes. Ken Buckley came in for Seamus McCahill to ensure Spartak closed the game out as the ref allowed 6 extra minutes.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 7 Dave Browne 7 Neil McGowan 7
Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 7 Conor Maguire 9 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Adam Doran 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Ken Buckley 5
