8.12.12
Castle Park 2, Spartak 2
A blistering opening spell by wide man Conor Callis saw Spartak take the initiative against the Sat Div 3 leaders. After only 4 minutes a run and cross by Conor led to the first goal, with Byrne scoring from the edge of the box. Spartak continued to press and Cathal Clancy went close with a header which was blocked.
The game was not well controlled by the ref and this led to a spate of yellow cards for both sides. Some players on both sides were lucky to escape harsher censure.
Spartak’s right flank of Chris Hogan and Anto Doyle were struggling against their direct opponents and Castle’s equaliser came from a cross from the other side which Chris looked well placed to head clear; but he missed his header and a Castle player finished. 1-1.
Anto Doyle was then caught in possession but the forward shot over, while at the other end Stephen Barr put Dermot Dooley in from the left, but Dermot, not trusting his left foot shot into the side net with his right. Marlow saved well when confronted with a batch of forwards meeting a low cross; there was more than a hint of offside.
John McCluskey replaced the injured Conor Callis at half time and put in a display that defied the years, not to mention the heart and knee operations.
The Sky Blues then had their best attacking spell ; Shane McInerney finished neatly on 59 minutes after running on to a Byrne flick on before a great Byrne run saw sub Jeff Gamble have a great opportunity, but he shot weakly. Barr was next, coming in from the left, but again reluctance to use the “swinger” let him down.
The Castle goalie then presented Byrne with a the ball however the shot was too close and the keeper saved. Cathal Clancy then volleyed over from a corner.
The Spartak defence worked hard, ably supported by a hard running midfield; although Fintan Grace was reluctant to be too cruel to the ball with his clearances on occasion!
With 13 minutes left, and Spartak looking comfortable, the unfortunate Chris Hogan handled in the box to give Castle the equaliser from the penalty spot. Castle up to then had not threatened much in the second period but they mustered one late attack which saw the shot whizz just wide.
One of Spartak’s better performances despite conceding two soft goals.
Form Report
Marlow 7 Hogan 5 Doyle 7 Grace 7 Clancy 8 McInerney 7 A Doyle 5 Callis 8 Dooley 7 Byrne 8 Barr 7 McCluskey 7 O’Hara 6 Gamble 5 Kelly Canavan
