27.4.13
Greenhills/Greenpark 1, Spartak 2
An eventful game in Greenhills saw the Sky Blues collect three valuable points in the promotion chase.
Spartak took the initiative and scored in the 18th minute, when a David Marlow kick out was touched on by Dermot Dooley for Thom O’Driscoll to race on and tuck away a neat shot past the advancing goalkeeper.
Paul Byrne’s header from Thom’s free was just wide and John McCluskey also had a header saved after more good work from Dooley. But on 27 minutes Shane McInerney diverted the ball with an outstretched arm- penalty! David Marlow came to the rescue with a great save low to his left. But the locals continued to press and the Spartak defence switched off following a throw in to allow Greenhills to equalise a minute after the penalty save.
A neat Thom O’Driscoll through ball on 32 minutes sent Shane McInerney scampering away and, before he could shoot, the defender made a despairing challenge – yellow card and penalty. Up stepped Stephen Barr, bravely ignoring the terrible pain from a sore toe, to drill the ball home.
Strangely, Conor Callis was given a yellow card for diving a couple of minutes later when another penalty looked on the cards. This was repeated in the second half when John McCluskey, fouled in the act of shooting form 5 yards out, was also booked for diving!
The second period, although played at a high tempo, and frantic at times, produced no further goals; Conor Callis had the best opportunity for Spartak after good work by Dermot Dooley and Paul Byrne, but dragged his shot wide after a clear run at goal.
Some fine defensive work by the Spartak defence generally kept the hme attack at bay.
It was left to David Marlow to have the last word with a point blank save from a header, from a forward who appeared yards offside.
Form Report
David Marlow 9 Anto Doyle 8 Chris Hogan 8 Martin Costello 8 Stephen Barr 8 Shane McInerney 7 John McCluskey 7 Conor Callis 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 7 Thom O’Driscoll 7
Subs: David Garavan 6 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene
