Spartak 1 Courtown Hibernians 2
Spartak were knocked out of the Leinster Junior Cup at the first hurdle by a strong Courtown side, who are top of the Wexford Premier division. As underdogs Spartak had to fight hard to stay in the game as Courtown passed and moved fluently. Courtown struck the bar after just 3 minutes and looked the sharper side.
Spartak’s back four struggled throughout to contain the threat and
could never settle on the ball. Graham McEnroe and Keith Kelly put in some fine tackles in midfield to stem the flow.
On 31 minutes a break and glorious pass by Keith Kelly gave Tom O’Driscoll an opportunity which he took really well to put the home side one up. It was all the more disappointing to concede on 44 minutes from a header following a corner kick.
Courtown took the lead when a long pass put the winger in behind Dave Browne, and when the ball was returned it was nodded in. Almost immediately Ger Byrne broke free, but his shot was blocked and Glen Burke could not force home the rebound.
The visitors enjoyed a long spell of superiority with the Spartak back four enduring a torrid time. They were not helped by poor decision making further forward which all too easily lost possession and impetus.
The Wexford men struck the post and Dave Browne made a fine goal line clearance after Peter O’Toole’s initial save.
With ten minutes left, Keith made another burst and slipped the ball inside to Graham McEnroe , who lifted his shot over.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Dave Browne 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Keith Kelly 8 Graham McEnroe 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Glen Burke 5 Ger Byrne 6
Sub Stuart Love 5
September 30th, 2010 at 12:23 am
I thought only conceding two to a decent side was a pretty good result.
As I said on the day, that was the best organised and most coherent the Spartak back four has been in the five games I’ve seen this year. There were still moments of sloppiness but after shipping 11 in three games I’d say this was a marked improvement.
The main problem was that we were over-exposed especially in the second half when the opposition made changes (which weren’t countered effectively) to get on top in the midfield aerial battles, and we were pushing for an equaliser. The Spartak wide men couldn’t be in two places at once so we were often outnumbered.
September 30th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Moe, who would you say was responsible for countering the opposition changes which in your opinion weren’t countered effectively?
September 30th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I’ve told you before about over exposing yourself…..there’s a children’s playground only 50 yards away.
September 30th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hano – I blame Breener for not showing the commitment to come and do the line for us.
Neil – I’ve been exposing myself in and around that playground since ’88. I feel I’ve earned the right.
September 30th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Classic Moe.
“chipping Goalies and Exposing himself to kids since 88”
October 1st, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Jesus I cant leave you lot alobe for a few games, and top man Moe glad to see there is still somebody there to lower the tone of proceedings!