Portmarnock 0 Spartak 0
Spartak relied on a strong defensive performance, including a first clean sheet this term, to plunder a worthwhile point from hosts who have lost just once this season and who had a big win over Spartak in Marlay.
Portmarnock enjoyed the bulk of possession and Spartak had to work diligently in midfield to track and close down. Fintan Grace did a lot of the donkey work and Seanan O’Duchain showed some nice touches, but Paul Burke and Shay McClafferty were not on their game. Paul had a free kick from the edge of the box easily saved.
Jimmy Browne pulled off a marvellous save after his weak kick out had let in the home striker.
At the back Tony Kavanagh cleaned up virtually everything while Liam Cullen and Greg Callan attacked the first ball with ferocity. Dave Mohan never looked comfortable at right back where his distribution in particular let him down.
Up front both strikers lacked support and toiled without reward. Frank McNamee’s touch deserted him at the crucial moment when through for Spartak’s best chance of the game. Ken found himself, like Frank , running towards several defenders with few options around and too little support.
Portmarnock missed an unbelievable chance at the end of a good move when the striker , going for power, blasted the ball at an open goal but struck the underside of the bar, from whence the ball rebounded into the grateful arms of Jimmy Browne.
Spartak’s second half chaces were limited to long range efforts, while a couple of breakaways fizzled out through poor passing.
Dave Mohan can count himself fortunate in the last few minutes that his blatant handball in the box, under no pressure, was not seen by the referee.
With so many players injured Spartak can count themselves well satisfied with the point.
Form Report
Jimmy Browne 7 Dave Mohan 5 Liam Cullen 7 Tony Kavanagh 8 Greg Callan 7 Fintan Grace 6 Shay McClafferty 5 Paul Burke 5 Frank McNamee 6 Ken Byrne 6 Seanan O’Duchan 7 Mick Cooney 5 Barry Crowe 5.
