Spartak 2 Schalke 1
Spartak enjoyed a victory after a poor performance on the previous week, despite missing a few regulars and overcoming the drag of a few players clearly lacking fitness. However a few key men rolled back the years to claim victory.
The first half was dominated territorially by the home side initially but the strike force did not hold up play successfully and were also starved of support. The advantage of the possession was therefore wasted and few clear chances were created. Ray Grady and Paul Tormey fell foul of a simple offside ploy on a number of occasions.
Jimmy Browne was a virtual spectator for most of the half with Paul Burke and Gerry Doran in command at the back and on the one occasion Jimmy was beaten Leon David was able to lend a helping hand a la his Gallic cousin Thierry Henry. Luckily the ref did not spot the infringement.
Spartak had some opportunities when Shay McClafferty clipped the top of the bar and also when Ray Grady checked back when through with his shot comfortably saved.
On 54 minutes a slick move by the vistors outfoxed the home defence and a neat finish put Schalke one up.
The home side responded in positive fashion, showing good team work, and should have been awarded an equaliser when Rory Campbell’s header hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the line before being cleared. Rory, off form on the day, had earlier missed a one on one when running on to Gerry Doran’s through ball.
Paul Burke, moving to midfield to add his customary guile, then curled a shot against the bar.
Spartak’s equaliser came when Barry Crowe beat the offside trap from left back with a fine run and when the keeper parried his effort, Paul Tormey finished to the net.
Spartak then pressed on taking command in midfield with good work from Paul Tormey, Frank McNamee and Ken Byrne and the winner came after some fine work by McNamee when a neat move was finished in fine fashion by a galvanised Ray Grady showing his true ability with a strong burst and finish.
There was still time for McNamee to miss a one on one and Paul Tormey it the post after good work by Shay McClafferty.
A satisfactory turn around from a goal deficit and a confidence booster after recent results.
Form Report
Jimmy Browne 6 Leon David 6 Gerry Doran 7 Paul Burke 7 Dave Mohan 6 Shay McClafferty 6 Paul Tormey 7 Ken Byrne 6 Ray Grady 6 Frank McNamee 6 Barry Crowe 7 Rory Campbell 4 Mark Byrne 5 Jason Doyle 4.
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