30.8.16
Sallynoggin Pearse 2, Spartak 3
Spartak recovered from conceding an early goal to win a hard fought game.
Only a few minutes had elapsed when the Sky Blues back four made a hames of several clearanaces, with Paul Kinsella’s header proving the perfect through ball for the home striker to score.
In attempting to recoup the deficit, Niall Lennon’s header gave Steve Grier a chance to shoot, and he scraped the top of the crossbar.
Spartak scored a route one equaliser when Grier flicked on Jason Northey’s kick to put Ger Byrne in, and he held off the covering defender to finish neatly. Emboldened, Spartak then had two great chances from good positions, with Geoff Gamble firing wide, and Stuart Love hitting the ball straight to the keeper.
Steve Walsh gave Spartak the lead with a simple finish after a goalkeeping error before the home side striker smartly turned Paul Kinsella but struck the bar with his effort.
Just after half time Dave Browne conceded a penalty to permit the home side to level matters.
Spartak strove to get back in the lead, but Stuart Love missed from close range after Karl McCullagh’s effort came off the crossbar.
With six minutes remaining Geoff Gamble won a header and chased the ball himself to outpace the defender, who took him down as he shot. Steve Walsh dispatched the spot kick for the winner.
The home side then mounted a barrage of attacks which a resilient defence managed to repel to secure the victory.
Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Cian Donohoe 6 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullagh 6 Stuart Love 6 Niall Lennon 8 Geoff Gamble 7 Steve Grier 8 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Darragh Logue 6 Mick Young 6
