Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak 3, Portmarnock 3

From 0-3 down at half time, Spartak showed skill, class and fighting spirit so reminiscent of last season’s title run to claim a point, and nearly all 3 , against Portmarnock, who were in the AUL Premier C division last year.

Spartak were well on top and missed some opportunities with Byrne shooting over and McEnroe missing a couple of chances. The passes from midfield were often lofted and and Tom Kowal’s final ball often let down his hard work on the ball in getting into good positions.  Against the run of play Portmarnock, who had a lively forward line,  took the lead in spectacular fashion from 30 yards  when possession was lost from a Spartak throw in. They added a second soon after when Jason Northey allowed a harmless looking free kick to drift in over his head. Spartak’s concentration slipped badly and they conceded a third from a throw in when the opposition were allowed to skip down our left, where Dan O Connell was having a torrid time, and cross to an unmarked centre forward to head in just before half time.

Substitutes Breen and Cibirka came on to good effect early in the second half and Spartak began to dominate the play. Chance after chance was created and the vistors got a big let off when the ball crossed the line from a  pass back and the keeper was allowed clear it with his hands.

There was still some threat by the visitors and we had a let off when their winger shot wide with Browne appealing for offside.

McEnroe, normally a cool finisher,  did not have his shooting boots on and missed a number of chances. Breen came on and led the line with some aggressive running and his header began the comeback. Then with 15 minutes to go Spartak went three at the back with immediate impact. McGowan’s turn and pass set up released Cibirka on his right foot 25 yards out and the top corner of the net net duly bulged. The equaliser came from Kowal, racing down the right and slotting home off  the far post. Cibirka then had a goal disallowed and also set up McGowan at the edge of the box but the shot, while powerful,  was too high.

A truly exciting match, sportingly played by both sides, and with some really excellent football by Spartak in the second half.

Northey 4 Browne 6 D O Connell 5 McGowan 7 Grace 7 Flanagan 5 Love 5 Byrne 5 McEnroe 5 Kowal 6 Thomson 5 Cibirka 8 Breen 7 Mahon 6

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