7.11.15
Rush Athletic 4, Spartak 2
Spartak departed St Catherines Park in Rush feeling somehwat hard done by after a tough game against the locals.
The final scoreline here did not reflect the balance of play, as Spartak struck the frame of the goal three times. But individual errors at vital times gave the home side the key scores.
Almost straight from the kick off Spartak had one of the game’s best chances, when Ciaran Keane intercepted a stray pass. With a clear run to goal he opted for the early shot which flew well wide. Spartak’s nest chance came when good work by Ger Byrne and Steve Grier saw the latter’s attempt deflected into the path of Jeff Gamble, whose shot struck the post and rebounded into the grateful arms of the keeper.
Mick Leslie’s reluctance to strike with his right foot meant two half chances went a-begging., but approaching half time he collected from Jeff Gamble’s cross to put Ciaran Keane in on goal. This time Ciaran showed more composure and put the Sky Blues one up.
Rush gave early intent of their second half ambitions by crashing a free kick off the cross bar almost on the restart. Spartak almost increased the lead after a foul on Ger Byrne. Mick Greene’s free was headed goalwards by Jeff Gamble, but he was again thwarted by a combination of keeper and post.
Rush equalised following a run on the Spartak left and the cross was nodded in.
Spartak restored their lead when a Browne/Keane/Byrne move saw Jeff Gamble head in, but the Sky Blues were disappointed when Rush equalised from a free kick from 40 yards.
Rush took full advantage of Chris Hogan being caught in possession to go ahead for the first time with 17 minutes remaining, but Spartak raised fresh onslaughts on the home goal with substitutes Darragh Dnnelly and Conor Callis going close. It was from the latter’s shot that was pushed onto the crossbar that saw Rush clinch the game in comedic fashion when the resulting long clearance was missed by Bobby Hayes, who had raced far from his goal, to allow a walk in score.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 6 Steve Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 7 Steve Grier 6 Jaff Gamble 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Mick Leslie 5 Ger Byrne 7
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Darragh Donnelly 6
