11.4.15
Spartak 3, Balbriggan 2
Spartak made hard work of a game which seemed comfortably in their grasp, and ended up battling to save the three points.
The turning point came just past the hour mark when Stephen Harris was red carded for a challenge in the area, and a penalty awarded. Mick Costello, just on as sub, went in goal, and he could not be faulted for the goals conceded. Mick showed composure in a difficult situation and had a steadying influence on the ten men with cool handling and good kicking.
The opening phase of the game was dull with neither side taking the initiative, with some tentative moves from Spartak. Conor Callis had an effort blocked from a corner, and Ciaran Keane looped a shot which was easily saved. Ciaran Keane missed two opportunities to play team mates in with poor attempts at a through ball.
The opening goal came when a pass from Joe McCarthy eluded both its intended recipient and the covering defender; Jeff Gamble was quickest to the loose ball and fired low to the corner from a tight angle for a well taken goal.
Conor Callis then produced a bit of wing magic close to the byline, with his cross reaching Jeff Gamble, but his effort was deflected for a corner.
A miskick by Stephen Harris left the home goal unguarded, but a recovery tackle by Conor Canavan gave the defence time to complete the tidy up.
Right on the stroke of half time Spartak were awarded a free on the left, just inside the Balbriggan half. Undeterred by the 50 yard distance to goal, Derek Gibney’s run up showed deadly intent, and sure enough the ball flew past a startled keeper at pace to the top of the net, to give Spartak a slightly flattering two goal advantage.
The game was quite even early on in the second half; Stephen Harris made a decent save , while at the other end Ciaran Keane passed up an acceptable chance. One fine move involving Keane, Mick Leslie, Niall Lennon and Conor Canavan saw Jeff Gamble’s effort saved. Later a quick break initiated by Harris’ throw saw Shane McInerney and Ciaran Keane set up Jeff Gamble, but his effort was weak.
Following the penalty, Spartak, down to ten men, rallied and scored the decisive third on 75 minutes. Joe Mc Carthy’s pass released Ciaran Keane, revitalised after a stodgy first half performance, and he went on to score in typically persistent fashion.
Balbriggan pulled one back after 89 minutes, but it was too little, too late.
Form Report
Stephen Harris 5 Barry Maguire 6 Mick Leslie 7 Joe McCarthy 7 Derek Gibney 7 Ciaran Keane 7 Conor Canavan 8 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Shane McInerney 7 Conor Callis 6
Subs: Conor Keegan 6 Mick Costello 8
