27.10.13
Spartak 5, Knockmitten 3
Spartak’s spirit refused to let this game slip away and a flurry of four late goals saw the Sky Blues come back from 1-3 to win.
Spartak began brightly but the final pass was lacking. The visitors then found their feet and Jason Northey was the busier keeper for most of the opening period.
Knockmitten scored after just seven minutes; Aodhan McCahill was caught out of position initially and when the cross came in there seemed plenty of home bodies to defend – however it was an easy finish for the striker as the Sky Blue defenders stood still.
A deflected Steve Walsh shot equalised following a fine pass from Fergus Burke, but then an error by Niall Hanratty, who opted to plead for offside, allowed a run on goal which led to number two.
Stuart Love had a well hit drive but too close to the keeper. Just before half time Spartak had a glorious chance to level matters when Aodhan McCahill raced through to spring the offside trap. With support inside he chose to shoot, but hit the side netting.
Spartak began the second half in determined mood; Dariusz Cismas had an effort cleared off the line and then on 51 minutes, Steve Walsh won a rather soft penalty, which he opted to take himself. A poor effort was far too close to the keeper who got both hands to it to push it away.
A further setback came on 63 minutes when Niall Hanratty, urged to clear it, opted to try to beat his man; he was dispossessed and a quick pass led to number three. 1-3 rather than 2-2!!
It was now all hands to the pump as the Sky Blues sought to get back in the game. Ken Buckley, Derek Ruxton and Ben Fallon all came on to add drive and energy and Seamus McCahill pushed on from the back. Seamus fed Neil McGowan with a good pass; Neil finished but was adjudged offside. Derek Ruxton then blazed a decent chance over the bar.
With time running out Neil McGowan slotted in to pull one back. A near disaster then when a Ruxton misplaced pass sent a Knockmitten forward away; Ben Fallon pulled him back and was lucky to receive just a yellow.
Seamus McCahill was fouled as he pushed down the right with five minutes left; Steve Walsh’s left footed free from the right needed only the faintest touch and Seamus was on hand to supply it to glance to the corner. Two minutes later on 87 minutes Ben Fallon gave Steve Walsh the chance to shoot. A drilled shot but straight at the keeper, who fumbled as Neil McGowan, anticipating the error, raced in to lift the ball over him and put Spartak in the lead for the first time in the game.
With Knockmitten now shell shocked Steve Walsh slotted a neat score from a narrow angle to put the icing on the cake.
Form Report:
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Seamus McCahill 8 Paul Kinsella 6 Fergus Burke 8 Neil McGowan 8 Dariusz Cismas 5 Stuart Love 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Derek Ruxton 6 Ben Fallon 6 Ken Buckley 6
