6.9.14
Ballyoulster United 5 Spartak 4
Based on chances, possession and overall play it was scarcely credible that Spartak Over 35s should leave the pristine surroundings of Ballyoulster empty handed, but that’s the way it turned out. Spartak created at least 20 good chances, while the home side seemed to score 100% of their opportunities.
Spartak took an early lead, when James Byrne drove home a rebound after his header struck the bar. However a rash Tom Maher challenge allowed the home team to equalise from the spot, and when Colm Flynn’s punched clearance rebounded happily for the home side, Spartak found themselves 2-1 down.
A positive response saw a quick equaliser . James Byrne, his way to goal seemingly blocked by a wall of bodies, improvised with a clever chip to equalise, but just on half time a defensive mix up saw Spartak fall behind again. The Sky Blues spurned a good chance when Paddy Hughes just failed to convert after a good run by Oisin Ledwidge.
Spartak began the second period in storming fashion, with the home keeper saving well from Paddy Hughes’ header while Kevin O’Connell repeatedly went close without scoring.
A cross shot put Ballyoulster 4-2 up before a Dave Cullen free kick reduced arrears; Ballyoulster replied with a free of their own to make it 5-3.
From then to the end of the match it was all Spartak as a Sky Blue waved engulfed the home side. A neat Padraig Finnerty pass gave Dave Cullen the chance and he made no mistake.
In a frantic finale Gerry Doran hit the bar with a fine header; Oisin Ledwidge also struck the woodwork, while a number of fine corners by Matt Grimes went unconverted. The equaliser proved elusive however and Spartak were left to return home empty handed.
Spartak : Colm Flynn, Tony Kavanagh, Gerry Doran, Tom Maher, Padraig Finnerty, Stuart Lewins, Dave Cullen, Steve Mongey, James Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Oisin Ledwidge, Dave Cullen, Matt Grimes, Steve Caffery, Kevin O’Connell, Trevor Johnston, Shea McClafferty.
