13.4.15
Spartak 3, Portmarnock 0
Some days everything turns out well. The whole team performs, and the opposition, 2nd in the league, were sent home well beaten and scoreless on a spring night in near perfect conditions in Marlay.
Mick Leslie led the initial charge with some hard running before winning a penalty when taken down by the keeper. Jeff Gamble scuffed his spot kick, which the keeper parried, but Jeff was alert to score from the rebound.
Portmarnock had a big chance just after, but the imposing presence of an advancing Mick Costello was enough to force the attacker to shoot wide.
On 25 minutes Spartak doubled their lead, when Jeff Gamble sent Conor Callis away, cheekily nutmegging the covering defender before closing his eyes and blasting in! 2-0. Mick Leslie then spurned a right footed opportunity after some good approach play.
Ciaran Keane then fired wide at the start of the second period after being sent clear by Mick Leslie.
It was not all one way traffic and Mick Costello, in a commanding performance, made a couple of fine saves as well as dominating his area, while Joe McCarthy and Conor Keegan were solid in central defence.
Increasingly Spartak relied on breaks, and Conor Callis was wide after one such break, before the third goal arrived on 83 minutes; Ciaran Keane’s cross was fumbled by the keeper and Jeff Gamble nodded in to round off a fine team performance.
A happy set of Sky Blues departed Marlay.
Form Report
Mick Costello 9 Barry Maguire 6 Aodhan McCahill 8 Joe McCarthy 8 Conor Keegan 8 Ciaran Keane 7 Conor Canavan 7 Jeff Gamble 9 Conor Callis 7 Shane McInerney 7 Mick Leslie 8
Subs: Graham Campbell 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Tony Kavanagh 6
