Liffey Valley Rangers 1 Spartak 2
Liffey, having been hammered in their last match, made numerous changes and started brightly. Their hunger for the ball completely overcame weak Spartak resistance and they dominated possession for most of the first half.
Spartak were soon one down when Paul Kinsella misjudged a cross and Glen Burke allowed his man to escape and score at the far post.
Spartak showed little appettite for the contest and were hurried into errors. Passing was sloppy and when the occasion arose, set piece delivery was very poor. Spartak seemed happy to lump it on to the willing head of the home centre half, who was dominant in the air.
Liffey were winning first ball and second ball, and of the midfielders, only Tom Flanagan was showing any resistance. While both front runners, Ger Byrne and Graham McEnroe worked hard, they were working off crumbs due to the ineptitude of those behind them.
Spartak were grateful to Peter O’Toole who saved well to prevent number 2, after Glen Burke was all too easily beaten, and Fintan Grace made some timely interventions. Paul Kinsella and Steve Grier made for a shaky central defensive combination.
As the half wore on, Spartak began to rouse themselves somewhat as the prospect of an imminent and damaging defeat began to sink in. Dave O’Kelly had a header saved and Ger Byrne headed wide.
A half time discussion changed things somewhat and even Glen Burke, emerging at least partly from first half torpor, began to attempt to match the pace and desire of the opponents. Keith Kelly, on for the injured Tom Flanagan, added some energy and battling qualities and the tide began to turn.
Liffey began to lose composure under some sustained pressure and conceded a penalty for a foul on Glen Burke, which Seamus McCahill converted for the equaliser on 68 minutes.
On 76 minutes, a great flick by Graham McEnroe put Seamus in on goal but he pulled his effort wide. Seamus and Graham had efforts blocked.
The pressure built up gradually on Liffey, as the Spartak changes began to take effect, and both Paul and especially Steve began to settle at the back. Nevertheless the quality of frees and corners from Burke and O’Driscoll remained poor.
It was only in the 78th minute when Tom O’Driscoll provided virtually the first decent set piece ball, with pace and into the near post, and was rewarded when a home defender deflected it to the net for the winning goal.
For the second week in a row, Spartak headed for the M50 grateful for all three points; the performance will need to be greatly enhanced for the visit of Iveagh Celtic to Marlay on Sunday.
Form report:
Peter O’Toole 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Tom Flanagan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Glen Burke 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Stuart Love 5 Ger Byrne 6
subs : Keith Kelly 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty Rob Mahon Shane Corrigan Dan O’Connell
