3.4.16
Spartak 1, Bray FC 0
A couple of decisive moments swung this cup tie in Spartak’s favour. With 20 minutes left on a sticky surface, Dave Kernan controlled Steve Grier’s throw on the left and wriggled his way past the full back, who brought him down rather rashly just inside the area, despite appearing to have adequate cover. Steve Grier duly converted the spot kick for the only goal.
Not long after Bray had their own penalty claim for a handball, but this time Spartak were penalised outside the area, and the free came to nothing.
Spartak worked hard first half, and in reality only created only one chance. Dave Browne’s cross seemed ideal for Ger Byrne, eight yards out, but he headed wide. Dave Kernan cleared off the line and Bray kept Jason Northey busy. The central defensive partnership of Paul Kinsella and Martin Costello were defiant in the face of Bray’s attack, and kept their scoring chances down to a minimum.
Bray fired a couple of free kicks uncomfortably close, and Martin Costello and Thom O’Driscoll broght off notable blocks when danger threatened. A neat move by Ger Byrne and Dave Kernan saw Steve Grier head one down for Neil McGowan to fire a fine shot from 25 yards, well saved by the Bray keeper.
Martin Costello broke out from the back, and after a long run could only find the keeper with his cross.
The game generally was nip and tuck, with Bray having more possession but few real chances for either side.
So it was left to Jason Northey to tip one over in the last minute; the Bray keeper was up to make the extra man, but Spartak scrambled it clear and so were into the next round.
It was victory borne of good defending and hard work, rather than fluent football.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Paul Kinsella 8 Martin Costello 9 Kevin O’Toole 7 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 6 Niall Hanratty 7
