26/3/17
Spartak 1, Sallynogin Pearse 0
A free kick scored by Steve Walsh just four minutes from the end clinched a narrow win over a visiting side who created more chances over the course of the game.
Given the circumstances, with injury and suspension restricting the Sky Blues, it was a decent win; all the more so when Steve Grier had to take the keepers jersey. Indeed when Niall Lennon pulled up with a muscle strain with 15 minutes left, he swapped places with Steve; Mick Leslie, as substitute, was carrying a knock and unable to play.
Spartak began shakily and the green clad visitors took the initiative. A couple of runs down Spartak’s right flank saw a header just over and the Sky Blues were later grateful to Niall Lennon for a superb headed clearance when a goal looked certain.
A half clearance by Paul Kinsella saw SallynogginPearse slam a shot against the post in what was probably the best chance up to then, and then the opponents made a mess of a good opportunity when Dave Browne conceded possession on the edge of the penalty area.
Spartak did manage to get in a few crosses, but only one chance, when Jeff Gamble’s heavy touch allowed the ball to run away from him.
Sallynoggin threatened again when Steve Grier advanced to save and Paul Kinsella’s attempted clearance gave the forward the chance to lob the stranded Grier, but luckily the lob cleared the crossbar.
A neat move by Dave Browne, Dave Kernan and Jeff Gamble saw Kernan’s cross from an overlapping run cleared by an alert defender. Then Neil McGowan headed over from Dave Browne’s cross, while Ger Byrne had a goalbound shot blocked from close range.
A late surge saw the visitors concede a free kick on the edge of the “D”. Up stepped Steve Walsh, anonymous until then, to fire a dipping effort over the wall and into the corner.
Form Report
Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 6 Cian Donohoe 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Darragh Logue 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 6 Niall Lennon 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 6
Sub: Mick Leslie
