8.3.14
Swords Celtic 1, Spartak 0
Played away from Swords usual headquarters, the wind strewn pitch was a bobbly nightmare for both sides,and led directly to the concession of the single, decisive goal.
With numerous absentees from the regular squad, and with Dave Browne volunteering to sub to make up numbers after playing a tough match the previous night, the Sky Blues face a difficult task against promotion chasing Swords, who had inflicted a humiliating defeat on the opening day of the season.
Spartak stuck manfully to their task in the opening half against the wind, and mounted only sporadic attacks in the face of the elements. Dermot Dooley and Fintan Grace put in a good shift in midfield and it was a blow when Dermot had to go off injured early in the second half. Chances were rare for Swords also, and Bobby Hayes was equal to anything fired at him, although on one occasion Stephen Barr cleared off the line.
In the second period the decisive moment came on 70 minutes when Swords broke down the left; Stephen Barr slid in to tackle, but the ball took a freak bounce and hopped over his outstretched leg, leaving the winger free to square the ball to the striker who drove home past an unsighted Hayes.
Spartak strove to equalise and had two big chances; a Dave Berry cross looked perfect for Niall Lennon but he directed his header just over. Mick Leslie burst into the box but his shot was too close to the keeper.
A decent performance without reward.
Form report
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Keegan 7 Mick Leslie 6 Stephen Barr 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Fintan Grace 7 Jervis Mulhall 6 Niall Lennon 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Dave Berry 6
Sub Dave Browne 6
