6.9.14
Glasnevin 4 Spartak 2
Spartak surrendered a half time lead to the local side and, despite a late rally when clear chances were missed, could not salvage anything from this game, mainly due to a serious lack of defensive concentration.
Missing a number if players, Spartak’s woes were increased when Kevin Loftus and Chris Hogan somehow contrived to be late for kick off, necessitating a further reshuffle of resources.
One unusual feature of the match was the supply of under inflated footballs by Glasnevin, which affected both sides. The referee was indifferent when this was pointed out, and the game proceeded.
Neither side started with confidence and the opening exchanges were tentative, but it was Spartak who took the lead on 15 minutes when Keith Kelly’s cross was turned in by Ciaran Keane at the second attempt after the keeper parried his first effort. Keith was then lucky not to be last man when yellow carded after losing possession. Shane McInerney broke up a Glasnevin attack at the cost of a free which Mick Greene parried but the home striker fired over. Keith Kelly was caught in possession but luckily the ensuing goal attempt was wide.
Fidel Benson fired over after connecting with Jamie Stewart’s cross, but at the other end Glasnevin struck the bar with Shane McInerney clearing off the line.
Some poor concentration at back by Spartak gave Glasnevin the chance to score almost immediately at the start of the second period and the striker made no mistake. In response Chris Hogan’s cross was fired over a couple of yards out by Ciaran Keane after Evans Sarpong held it up well.
A couple of disastrous defensive errors gave the home side goals in the 53rd and 60th minutes, as Spartak lost their defensive shape. 1-3.
Spartak then refocused and created some clear chances of their own. Shane McInerney tried to bundle in following a corner and then headed just wide from the next flag kick. A good run by Aodhan McCahill sent Ciaran Keane through racing in from the left but he pulled his shot wide. Evans Sarpong fired in a shot that was saved, and a number of Fidel Benson crosses just failed to meet their intended target.
A clearly offside goal gave the home side a 4-1 lead, before the ever versatile Mick Greene came out of goal to reduce arrears with a well struck direct free kick. Spartak then staged something of a grandstand finish, with the best chance coming when Conor Keegan’s header was pushed on to the bar by the keeper but Shane McInerney, following up kneed the rebound over the bar from a yard out.
Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Barry Maguire 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 6 Conor Keegan 6 Shane McInerney 6 Jamie Stewart 5 Niall Lennon 5 Evans Sarpong 6 Fidel Benson 6 Ciaran Keane 6
Subs: Chris Hogan 5 Kevin Loftus 5
