23.4.12
Knockmitten 2 Spartak 1
This was a game which Spartak expected to win, but failed to apply the effort and skill to do so. Indeed the Sky Blues lost most of the individual battles against a side who had not registered a win for months.
After a scoreless first half a catastrophic error after 58 minutes by Seamus McCahill (and a lack of cover by his fellow defenders) in failing to deal with a long through ball presented the home side with a simple goal.
Energised by the goal, Knockmitten, embroiled in a relegation battle, responded and added a second goal on 65 minutes as the Spartak defence parted like the Red Sea.
Substitute Steve Grier, back after an injury lay off, led a comeback of sorts, and scored after 83 minutes. But despite an increased level of application, Spartak could not force an equaliser.
This was after a first half which the Sky Blues strolled trough in desultory fashion, thinking they could score when they liked; it was not the case.
Conor Maguire will feel ill used by a very unsympathetic referee who might have awarded two penalty kicks and many frees, but who, as they say, let the game flow.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 4 Seamus McCahill 4 Derek Ruxton 6 Neil McGowan 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 5 Alan Farrington 4 David Garavan 5 Steve Grier 6
