9.2.13
Spartak 3, Cloghertown 2
The visitors, lying third in the table before the game, arrived late and Spartak took full advantage of their laxity by starting like the proverbial house on fire, creating numerous early chances. Dermot Dooley and Paul Byrne combined to give Martin Costello a clear chance, but his shot was saved; moments later an Anto Doyle throw was flicked on but Martin lifted his effort over the bar. Another Doyle throw travelled across the box to give Conor Callis an opportunity, but he drilled his shot too close to the keeper, who blocked. Martin Costello then broke as the visiors defence erred, but his touch was a tad heavy and the keeper gathered. A couple of good crossing opportunities were missed by Chris Hogan on the overlap as Spartak pressed.
When Spartak finally scored (and this was only the 12th minute!) a free kick by Sean Doyle made the keeper look the favourite but Paul Byrne proved the braver and got the vital touch.
Some poor defending from a throw in gave the visitors a soft equaliser against the run of play on 18 minutes, and a mix up between Fintan Grace and stand in keeper Mick Costello almost proved costly. Cloghertown also had a fine header just wide.
At the other end a Sean Doyle free again presented an opportunity, this time to Cathal Clancy, but he failed to direct the ball on target. Then a great Conor Callis run and cross presented Martin Costello with his best chance so far, but his effort lacked power and the keeper gathered his shot.
The second half was no more than a couple of minutes old when a sweeping move gave the visiting forward a clear run on goal and he made no mistake. 1-2.
Stung by this unexpected reverse, Spartak had a few good efforts; Fintan Grace’s effort was smothered, Paul Byrne saw his shot saved, and Sean Doyle fired a free just over.
The introduction of Niall Lennon and Niall Hanratty on 67 minutes gave the Sky Blues renewed energy and proved decisive. Hano’s first touch, running on to a sublime Sean Doyle pass, forced in the equaliser. Sean Doyle’s free then gave Martin Costello a heading opportunity at the back post, but he nodded just wide.
Conor Callis was sent away on the left by Niall Lennon, and cutting back onto his right foot fired just wide of the far post as Niall screamed for a return on the edge of the box. Another Callis run on 78 minutes saw him tumbled in the box and the imperturbable Fintan Grace slotted home from 12 yards via the post for the winning score. In the aftermath of the kick, the visiting keeper capped a bad day by getting a red card.
The 10 men of Cloghertown made a decent fist of trying to equalise, and forced a few corners; also a mix up in the home defence saw Cathal Clancy back pass to Mick Costello from close range to concede a free in the box.
But Spartak were not to be denied their comeback win.
Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Chris Hogan 6 Sean Doyle 8 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Anto Doyle 6 Conor Callis 7 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 7 Martin Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Niall Lennon 7 Ross Kelly 5
