1.3.16
Pioneers 3, Spartak 0
Injury struck early and often for the Sky Blues in this table top clash with the favourites for the league title. Martin Costello did not survive the warm up, while injuries to Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly saw Spartak force to make two substitutions in the first 20 minutes.
Pioneers are a powerful oufit, but it was Spartak who fashioned the best chance of a tight first half. Ger Byrne sent Steve Walsh through on goal, but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Pioneers struck the bar with their one chance of note in the opening period.
The game looked all over a candidate for a scoreless draw, with neither attack mustering much in the was of getting on top of superior defences, but the game turned on a goalkeeping error. Paul Byrne’s pass was intercepted by a local forward, whose shot looked well within Jason Northey’s capacity to deal with, but inexplicably the ball ended in the net, despite being a pretty inept effort.
Pioneers had the breakthrough the wanted, and Spartak tried gamely to get back in the game; Jeff Gamble volleyed just wide, while Ger Byrne almost scrambled one in from close range.
But in the dying minutes Pioneers added two goals, the third being the last kick of the game, as Spartak were stretched in search of goals themselves.
A disappointing result.
Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Paul Byrne 5 Neil McGowan 5 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Young 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Leslie 5
