Spartak 3, Liffey Valley 0
Spartak recorded a good win at the cost of injuries to Graham Breen and Steve Grier who were both vistims of fouls which attracted yellow cards. In Steve’s case a stricter ref might have reached for a red.
Liffey had their best chances before Spartak’s opener. Fintan’s clearing header under pressure flew wide of the post and Peter O’Toole made a fine stop in a one on one. Earlier Ger Byrne had forced the keeper into a save after good approach work by Will O’ Connell and Glen Burke. Neil McGowan’s free following the foul on Steve was tipped over by the keeper.
Spartak persisted with good passing from Burke, Love, McGowan and O’Driscoll and created some decent moves.
The breakthrough came on 35 minutes when a corner was cleared as far as Keith Kelly, who drove a great first time shot from 25 yards off the butt of the upright. Will O’Connell applied the finishing touch.
On 40 minutes Tom O’Driscoll released Ger Byrne with a tremendous pass and Ger rifled the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner. 2-0.
The job was complete in the second minute of the second half when Ger and Graham combined beautifully to release Ger down the wing. His cross was tucked home under the keeper by a grateful Breener!
That completed the scoring but the game did not lack for attacking incidents. and featured a few good efforts – both Tom and Ger hit the woodwork (as did Liffey, who never gave up) and Graham Breen was guilty of a bad miss as Liffey appealed for offside.
Substitute Dillon Burke had a great opportunity to lay on a goal fro Niall Tilley or Ger on the break but crossed to close too the keeper.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Fintan Grace 7 Steve Grier 7 Keith Kelly 8 Will O Connell 7 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Stuart Love 7 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 8.
Subs Niall Tilley 5 Dillon Burke 5
