6.4.13
Leinster Shield Quarter Final
Spartak 3, St Pats Ath u-19 2
Spartak began shakily and were quickly two goals down. Players seemed overawed by the occasion and forgot to perform the basics. Indeed a fluent St Pats could have been more than two ahead as they were creating all the running with the Sky Blues unable to intervene. The first half hour of this game was strewn with unforced errors by the men in Sky Blue who were taking all the wrong options.
The outlook seemed bleak for the home side until a magical burst of two goals in the 41st and 43rd minutes in what were Spartak’s first two attacks. Chris Hogan’s throw in gave Stephen Barr the option to play it back to him; instead Stephen made a dart for the bye line and pulled the ball back for Martin Costello to finish from close range. Just over a minute later Martin won the ball in mid field and prodded a through ball which Jeff Gable, hitherto very subdued, raced on to and coolly slotted past the advancing keeper.
This rocked the visitors and Spartak began the second half in something approaching form. Normal service was resumed with a great deal more concentration being brought to bear on the game. The winning goal arrived on the hour mark when Shane McInerney found Conor Callis on the left; Conor’s cross was deflected into the path of Jeff Gamble and Jeff’s left footed first time finish gave the keeper no chance and was worthy of winning the game.
The Spartak back four then found renewed confidence and battled to keep a wave of Pat’s attacks at bay. At the other end Stephen Barr might have scored with a headed effort .
Always a great result when coming back from two down to win.
Form Report
David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Sean Doyle 6 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 6 Dermot Dooley 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Martin Costello 7 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Anthony Doyle 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O Hara 5 Joe Roe Ross Kelly
