Peamount Utd 1 SDFC 1
Spartak over 35’s produced a spirited and good quality performance to secure an away draw against a strong table topping Peamount side.
Starting well, early chances fell to Paul Tormey with a good run and shot and Shay McClafferty with an excellent long range effort just over. Mark Byrne made a good break along the end line and provided a good cross which was well cleared.
On 10 minutes Spartak took a deserved lead when a free kick into the box by Greg Callen popped up nicely on the edge of the box for Frank McNamee to shoot a left foot volley into the net. Shortly after, Barry Crowe had a good effort just wide. As the half wore on Peamount came more into the game and eventually equalised just before half time with a break that was borderline offside.
Early in the second half a neat one two between Frank McNamee and Cameron Doyle put the latter through on goal but his shot went narrowly wide of the right hand post. Jimmy Browne then produced a series of excellent saves following a period of sustained Peamount pressure to keep the score intact. Ken Byrne made a trademark break from inside his own half, beat a couple of defenders for pace only for the final shot to go just over. A good break down the right by Peamount was thwarted by a timely intervention from Leon David.
In their desperation to win the match Peamount then introduced a midfielder and a striker that were so obviously underage it was ridiculous. This was the cue for Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Gerry Doran, Tony Kavanagh and Fintan Grace to produce some defensive heroics for the remaining 20 minutes to ensure that no goal was conceded and that justice was done.
In fact Spartak had two excellent chances to win it on the break when firstly Mark Byrne made a great break down the right and crossed for an unmarked Jason Doyle who couldn’t connect and then Ken Byrne saw his effort from a tight angle strike the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Overall a very good performance from Spartak on an excellent pitch where the home side were surprised at how well the oldies could pass the ball.
The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Shay McClafferty, Mark Byrne, Paul Tormey, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Leon David, Jason Doyle, Cameron Doyle, Fintan Grace, Ken Byrne, Greg Callan.
Footnote: For the record, a serious assault took place after the match on a Spartak player. All appropriate authorities have been notified.
