1.12.12
Spartak 1, Liffey Valley 4
This was a game in which the Sky Blues should have been out of sight after overpowering the visitors for almost the entire first half.
After a fine first half, the Sky Blues could only look at the quality of finishing to ascertain why hey were not several goals ahead. A succession of corners, crosses and throw ins led to numerous chances. Byrne, Callis, Barr and Costello all fired wide or over from good positions. Byrne had a goal disallowed, somewhat unluckily. The most glaring miss came from Barr, who knocked over an open goal from just a yard or two out.
Spartak continued to press in the second period but were caught stretched when over committing to a corner and Liffey equalised.
This gave the visitors renewed hope and spirit and as Spartak continued to recklessly press high up the pitch and with 12 minutes remaining Cathal Clancy was isolated and caught in possession; 1-2!
The game played out as Spartak heads went down and Liffey added two further breakaway goals to advance to the next round.
A game of two halves indeed, and Spartak must learn from the perils of playing a high line.
Form Report
Marlow 6 Hogan 5 S Doyle 6 Grace 5 Clancy 5 McInerney 6 A Doyle 5 Callis 5 Barr 6 Byrne 7 Costello 5
McCluskey 4 Malone 4 Roe 4
