2.4.16
Spartak 0, Hyde Park 5
There was some disruption to the start of this match with Hyde’s travel problems causing a delay in kick off by more than a half hour; Spartak’s extended warm up/ waiting, particularly in the wet conditions, did not help. That said, Hyde Park were clearly the superior team, bossing the midfield throughout.
The Balbriggan outfit gave notice of their intentions early and struck the cross bar before taking the lead. Greg Byrne did well to save the initial shot, pushed well wide, but with three Sky Blues in attendance, the cross still came in and was finished from close range.
Spartak came close to equalising when Chris Hogan hoisted in a high ball. Jeff Gamble’s header was saved, as was his follow up. The ball ran lose to Darren Ritchie but the keeper saved at the expense of a corner. Hyde Park broke swiftly from the corner and added number two.
A Mick Leslie free was saved as Spartak strove to get back in the game in the second period, while Jeff Gamble and Conor Callis combined to good effect without breaking through, while Alex Junior had a point blank effort saved. When ChrisHogan opted to try to go straight through the centre he was dispossessed easily and again Hyde broke to score.
As legs tired and spirits sagged, Hyde added two more to complete a miserable afternoon for Spartak.
A sobering defeat in a one sided contest in which Spartak were well below their best.
Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Leslie 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 5 Shane McInerney 5 Rob Kennedy 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Lee Malone 5 Darren Ritchie 5 Ciaran Keane 5
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Alex Junior 5 Conor Canavan 5.
