19.3.16
Spartak 4, Willows 1
In the end this was a comfortable victory but defensive frailties gave Willows opportunities to make it a closer contest.
A great through ball by Niall Lennon gave Conor Callis the space to square the ball to Jeff Gamble for a simple chance. One nil after just four minutes. Spartak, emboldened by this early boost, then had a few chance to increase the lead, but Jeff Gamble stumbled when clean through and Darren Ritchie shot wide when well placed. As often happens, these misses were put in stark contrast when Willows equalised, following some sloppy play and errors in decision making at the back.
Conor Callis then had a fine run, stopped by illegal means inside the area. The ref initially pointed for a spot kick, but then awarded a free on the edge of the box. No matter, as Mick Leslie accurately fired home the free to the corner of the net.
Darren Ritchie made it 3-1 before the break from Niall Lennon’s pass, with Willows threatening again at the other end before the break.
The pace of the game dropped considerably in the second half, and it was not until the 71st minute that Jeff Gamble made the points safe , poking home from close range.
Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Browne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Ritchie 6 Conor Callis 6
Subs: Ciaran Keane 5 Kevin Murphy 5 Tom Maher 5
