6.12.15
Boyne Rovers 4, Spartak 3
With atrocious weather conditions rendering Marlay unplayable, along with almost every other grass pitch in Dublin, it was a surprise to find Boyne Rovers pitch in declared on. Spartak had to surrender home advantage and travel to Drogheda, making it an even more formidable task against the Premier Division leaders.
The pitch started out wet and muddy, and ended as a quagmire, but the conditions did not prevent a wonderful game of football, played in a sporting manner by both sides.
Spartak adapted quickly , and Ger Byrne rifled the Sky Blues into an early lead from Steve Walsh’s cross. Spartak quickly added another by Steve Walsh after Mick Leslie had done the spadework. In between, a very dubious offside call saw another Ger Byrne effort chalked off.
Spartak continued to create chances, with a Walsh effort saved, and Neil McGowan’s volley just over, while Dave Kernan had the best opportunity after a great run but shot too close to the keeper.
The home side pulled one back just on half time, shooting past stand-in keeper Martin Costello. who had a fine game, and Boyne piled on the pressure in the second period and they equalised very early on, before taking the lead for the first time.
With 20 minutes of this fine cup tie to go, Mick Leslie forced a corner; Walsh’s flag kick was nodded down by Karl McCullough to Ger Byrne, and Neil McGowan fired in for the equaliser.
It was end to end stuff now as both sides strove for a winner. Steve Walsh fired narrowly wide; Martin Costello took off a fine save at the other end; but with three minutes to go Boyne got a fourth after a scramble in the goalmouth.
The drama was not over however; Spartak fought back and won a free when Dave Kernan was fouled. Walsh’s effort was saved, but the ball rebounded invitingly to the inrushing Ger Byrne. It seemed certain to be the equaliser, but Ger went for power and fired over.
Form Report
Martin Costello 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 8 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Dave Kernan 7 Mick Leslie 8 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 8.
