18.11.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 1,Spartak 2
A burst of attacking play mid way through the first half and some determined second half defending saw Spartak gain all three points in Sallynoggin thanks to goals from wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh.
Missing from the previous encounter with Coill Dubh were Messrs (the right word in some cases?) Hanratty, Grier, Kenny, McEnroe and Love. So it was necessary to revamp the side and the incomers made a decent impression with Derek Ruxton putting in a good shift in midfield alongside Ken Buckley while Aodhan McCahill looked fresh after his German holiday and Dave Thomson made a rare personal appearance!
Spartak started in somnambulant mood and it took some time before they became fully alert following some vocal encouragement.
Then came a period when the Sky Blues played cool, calibrated and precise football with wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh to the fore.
Steve Walsh forced a save from the keeper when in a good position following approach play by Conor Maguire and Neil McGowan. Adam Doran gave the Sky Blues the lead with a controlled, angled volley on 21 minutes after a cross by Steve Walsh had evaded the home defence. Just three minutes later a sublime pass from Ken Buckley sent Aodhan McCahill on the overlap from left back and his cross was swept to the net by Steve Walsh.
Adam Doran retired with a knee injury and Dave Thomson substituted; while Dave was solid in his defensive work, the Sky Blues’ attacking threat was diluted by the change.
The home side began to get a grip on things and Spartak incurred a couple of yellow cards. On 38 minutes Sallynoggin reduced arrears when a free kick, half cleared, was knocked back in to an unmarked forward just 8 yards from goal.
The second half yielded no more goals for either side; Spartak were dogged and determined in defence and, lying deep, barricaded themselves in. Dave Browne headed a dangerous cross over; Jason Northey tipped a headed effort over the bar; Seamus McCahill slid in for an immaculately timed penalty box challenge as the home side pressed. Defensive resilience paid off.
In attack a lack of support and, at times, some overcarrying of the ball prevented Spartak from adding to their total, as Steve Walsh, so influential early on, faded.
Paul Kinsella, on his way back from injury, made an invaluable contribution with goal line clearances in the same attack as the home side threw everything forward.
So Spartak have gone from losing their first three games to a four match unbeaten run.
Upcoming is the game versus the league leaders and title favourites, Liffey Valley.
From Report
Jason Northey 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Dave Browne 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Adam Doran 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Thomson 7
