SDFC Over 35’s 3 Portmarnock 6
Spartak over 35’s suffered a second home defeat in as many weeks as a very poor first half performance cost the team dearly.
Starting with 3 at the back the home side were exposed straight from the kick-off. The right winger found himself in acres of space to provide a good cross that was half cleared to an umarked player whose shot was parried by Jimmy Browne resulting in a tap in for their striker. This put Portmarnock 1 nil up without any outfield Spartak player having touched the ball or made a tackle. This dismal start did not get any better when 3 minutes later a mis-kick from Jimmy Browne found an unmarked midfielder on the edge of the box who easily lobbed the ball over Jimmy’s head to put the away side 2 up.
The Spartak team finally started to compete and started to get a grip around the middle. Good attacking play forced a free kick which John Hallihan headed towards goal and the inrushing Gerry Doran provided a skillful touch to pull a goal back for Spartak. There followed a good period for Spartak with sustained pressure on the Portmarnock goal resulting in Frank McNamee having a shot that was parried away by the keeper and half chances for Rory Campbell and Barry Crowe. A good chance also fell to Dave Mohan who volleyed over.
Against the run of play Portmarnock broke up the left hand side a ball was played through and finished to go 3-1 up. This goal seemed to stun the home side as Portmarnock proceeded to score two further goals to go 5-1 up at the break. Both were excellent long range efforts but on neither occasion was there a challenge on the shot.
In fairness the team responded to the call from Barry Crowe to raise its game in the second half and started to compete well in every position. Gerry Doran, Barry Crowe and Paul Burke were setting up movements with some good passing and the workrate seemed to improve throughout the whole team. With Spartak again applying a lot of pressure half chances fell to Ray Grady and Rory Campbell. Spartak finally pulled a goal back when excellent play by Ray Grady set up Frank McNamee who’s shot was expertly tipped over the bar by the hand of their centre half (thanks). A straight red card was issued and Paul Burke made no mistake from the spot kick to make it 5-2.
With the opposition down to 10 men Spartak did press forward and seek another goal. On a rare break down the field the Portmarnock right full mishit a cross from the sideline that deceived Jimmy Browne and looped under the bar to give them their sixth goal. To its credit the home side continued to press forward right to the end and the final action of the match was a Frank McNamee headed goal from a good corner by Ray Grady.
Overall a very disappointing defeat which I am sure all would agree was the result of a dismal first half where the competitiveness and workrate was a long way from what the team is capable of.
Requesting a better turnout at training this week please.
The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran
