12.9.15
Earl Celtic 2, Spartak 6
Spartak were somewhat flattered by the final scoreline, as Earl had enough of the play to justify a closer margin. Indeed, when Earl reduced arrears to 3-1 just after the interval, and seemed likely to close the gap further, it was then that the Sky Blues displayed resilience and skill to add further scores against a stretched local rearguard and close the game out
The Sky Blues had a dream start when Shane McInerney fired home from a half cleared corner after just three minutes, and on six minutes Niall Hanratty headed in a Jeff Gamble cross to double the advantage.
Earl countered, and Spartak were grateful to the ample posterior of Steve Browne, who blocked a goalbound shot. Jeff Gamble further shocked the home side when, at the second attempt, he scored a third goal before the break.
Earl strained every sinew to get back in the game in the second period,and Spartak had to manfully face an onslaught, with some great blocks and interventions, one in particular from Shane McInerney being a standout. Indeed it was Shane who did well to start the move that saw Ciaran Keane cross for Jeff Gamble to head in number 4.
Earl did manage to reduce arrears to 4-2, but a first ever goal from Chris Hogan and a final score from Fidel Benson finished the scoring.
A triumph for spirit, togetherness and hard work.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Canavan 7 Chris Hogan 7 Steve Browne 8 Martin Costello 7 Shane McInerney 8 Niall Hanratty 8 Jeff Gamble 8 Evans Sarpong 7 Fidel Benson 7 Mick Costello 7
Sub: Ciaran Keane 7
