19.1.19
Spartak 3, Clondalkin Celtic 5
An eventful game which saw Spartak concede two penalties – one foolishly, and the other extremely harsh
A score from a harsh penalty after 5 minutes put the visitors ahead. This was quickly followed by a sloppily conceded goal at the back post.
Mick Leslie fired over from a good position and Conor Brady had a right footed effort which was too soft to trouble the keeper. Neil McGowan clipped the top of the bar with a header, and also forced a good save from the Celtic custodian, before scoring via a post after good work from Dale Mullins. A second penalty needlessly conceded gave the vistors a half time 3-1 advantage.
Spartak began the second half in strong fashion, and Jason Fenlon was unfortunate to see his effort strike the foot of the post and rebound into the keepers hands. Dale Mullins, stretching, pulled his shot across goal and wide, and Kevin Murphy will rue his close range effort, firing directly at the keeper.
The visitors then stretched their lead by two to make it 5-1.
The Sky Blues showed a never say die spirit and hopes were lifted when a Neil McGowan volley from 25 yards was followed quickly by a visiting defender putting through his own goal.
Spartak piled on the pressure, forced a number of corners and scrambles, had the ball in the net but given offside.
Clondalkin defended frantically as the course of the game swung in Spartak’s favour, and were the happier to hear the final whistle.
Form Report
Steve Grier 6 Ciaran Brady 6 Chris Hogan 6 Owen McCormack 7 Kevin Murphy 5 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Jason Fenlon 5 Conor Brady 5
Subs: Billy O’Neill 6 Conor Callis 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Liam Caffrey 6
