12.1.13
Spartak 2, Esker 1.
A scrappy match on a brisk January day saw the Sky Blues maintain their recent winning form, although the performance was not of the top quality.
Early on Esker could have been out of sight; they took the lead on just 2 minutes amid midfield laxity and defensive chaos, and almost doubled the lead a minute later when they clipped the bar.
Spartak’s first attack saw a corner by John McCluskey pulled back to Shane McInerney on the edge of the box, but his shot was high. Paul Byrne then robbed a defender and put McCluskey through, but he shot too early and wide.
Cathal Clancy had a few eventful moments; a great run onto a Sean Doyle free gave him a free header, but the connection was more shoulder than head, and went over. Then in a comical mix up with David Marlow, Cathal caused panic in the home rearguard, but the danger was averted.
Dermot Dooley swept home following a corner to equalise on 25 minutes and Conor Callis eschewed a few good crossing opportunities as Spartak found something approaching their rythm, although struggled in midfield throughout, with Anto Doyle exhibiting a predilection for finding touch more regularly associated with Ronan O’Gara.
Paul Byrne put in some fine work to let John McCluskey in from the right but he shot over. Then the decisive moment oddly, had its origins in Conor Canavan’s sliced clearance which conceded a corner. From the corner David Marlow gathered the ball and his long kick was headed by Paul Byrne to the wing; Sean Doyle had to battle to win the ball and gave a fine pass to Paul, who scored at the second attempt. An excellent breakaway goal.
Spartak battled it out to the end, and the main scare when Conor Canavan, thinking he heard a whistle, caught the ball just outside the box. The free kick was wasted and the three points were safe.
Form Report
David Marlow 6 Sean Doyle 7 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Anto Doyle 6 Conor Callis 5 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 8 John Mcluskey 6
Subs Steve O’Hara 6 Mick Costello 6 Stepen Barr 6 Chris Hogan Martin Costello Lee Dunne
