Three friendlies have taken place so far, with a 1-3 defeat by Cherry field followed by two wins away to Park Celtic (3-2) and Slane Wanderers(2-0).
Line ups and form – Cherryfield :- Jason Northey 4 Dan O Connell 6Dave Browne 5 Alex Kenny 5 Martin Costello 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Stuart Love 4 Tom O Driscoll 4 Dave Thompson 6 Tom Kowal 5 Orlando Verecchia 5. subs Mick Greene 4 and Mick Costello 6. Scorer was Tom Kowal, however only Dan O Connell and Dave Thompson showed anything like normal form and overall the team looked very rusty, particularly defensively where soft goals were conceded.
Park Celtic : Line up: Jason Northey 6 Anto Doyle 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Mark Bolger 7 Martin Costello7 Shane McInerney 8 Tom Kowal 6 Steve Browne 7 Graham McEnroe 7Colm O Sullivan 6 Stuart Love 6. Goalscorers Shane McInerney, Steve Brown and Tom Kowal.
A fine late volleyed winner from Tom Kowal completed a comeback by Spartak when they had been behind twice in the game and looked to be heading for defeat. Decent performaces by Graham Mc Enroe, Steve Brown , and the also the back four of Anto, Mark, Martin and debutant Dave O Kelly held firm for most of the time against a vey good Park side.
Slane – Line up – Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6, Martin Costello 6Cathal Clancy 5 Mark Bolger 6.5 Tom Flanagan 5.5 Shane McInerney 6 Dan O Connell 5.5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Neill Bolger 5. Subs Anto doyle 6and Chris Hogan 5.
The arduous journey deep into teh countryside prodduced a useful work out and a satisfactory result on a poor surface with an idiosyncratic referee. Spartak , and MArk in particular, were grateful to the ref when what seemed a clear penalty (and possible card) was ignored early on.
Spartak took the lead when a Mark Bolger free was fumbled and was finished by Neill Bolger courtesy of his long studs from very close in.
Spartak took better control of the ball in the second half and a five man passing move was finished by Tom Flanagan’s shot. Other chances to Neill Bolger, Chris Hogan and Dan O’Connell went a begging due to a good save and some profligate shooting. Shane and Neill both lost discipline as the game progressed which could have proved costly.
