25.4.16
Walkinsown 1, Spartak 2
The home side had more possession, and as promotion contenders showed plenty urgency on this midweek fixture on a cold and blustery evening. The Sky Blues displayed some doughty defending which foiled the home side’s ambition on this occasion, with some outstanding saves from Greg Byrne a highlight.
Early breaks by Spartak were foiled by some dubious offside calls, and gradually the home side assumed midfield control. Walkinstown took the lead when a long ball was eventually slid home from an angled shot.
The Sky Blues equalised just before the break from a set play, after a foul on Mick Young. Tom O’Driscoll’s free found Jeff Gamble lurking at the back post and he stooped to nod in.
In the second period Walkinstown pushed hard for the winning score, but in their anxiety pushed too far; with 8 minutes remaining a Greg Byrne kick was touched on by Barry Maguire to Conor Callis, who beat the advancing keeper for a fine winning goal.
Prior to this it had been a disciplined defensive performance which kept the home side at bay, with only sporadic attacks by Spartak. In one such breakout,Darren Ritchie turned, slalomed past a couple of defenders to fire a shot from a narrow angle which was saved.
A pleasing performance and result.
Form Report
Greg Byrne 9 Chris Hogan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 8 Dave Browne 7 Shane McInerney 6 Mick Young 7 Jeff Gamble 7 Lee Malone 6 Darren Ritchie 6 Ciaran Keane 5
Subs: Conor Callis 7 Fintan Grace 6 Barry Maguire 6
