3.5.14
AIB 3, Spartak 2
A couple of costly errors together with a lack of self control proved decisive in DCU. Chris Hogan was lucky not to be red carded; initially booked for petulantly kicking the ball away after only 3 minutes play, he lived on the edge from then on, with the referee being particularly lenient. Niall Lennon, Neil McGowan and David O’Kelly also went into the book for some testy offences in a game which was devoid of malice.
With the spectre of relegation at stake for the Sky Blues, quite a number of regulars opted out of this one and Mick Greene was drafted in to play a unfamiliar midfield role.
Spartak took the lead midway through the first half; Graham Breen’s tenacity forced a corner, and from Conor Keegan’s kick David Kernan fired in for his first Spartak goal. But just on half time Paul Kinsella wrestled a forward to the ground on the bye line to give away an unnecessary penalty. So 1-1 at half time.
An unfortunate Conor Keegan miskick presented the home side with the lead goal, but a Mick Leslie cross was touched back in by Dave O’Kelly for Neil McGowan to apply a cool finish to equalise.
As concentration dropped and frustrations grew, the yellow card count rose, but it was AIB who got the winner in a breakaway and who finished out the game comfortably.
Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Chris Hogan 4 Paul Kinsella 5 Conor Keegan 6 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 6 Neil McGowan 5 David Kernan 5 Graham Breen 5 Mick Leslie 5
Sub : Niall Lennon 5
