Spartak 3 Pioneers 2
A late revival by the visitors gave Spartak a nervous final quarter. Having been cruising at three up, Spartak’s concentration dropped disastrously as some players prematurely relaxed.
Before the late collapse, a few players had played really well. Stuart Love had a wonderful first half, combining well with Ger Byrne and Neil McGowan to give Spartak an attacking threat. As usual Stewie was full of running and he made some fine tackles, made a goal for Graham Breen as well as scoring. Stewie also missed a glorious chance when Breener returned the compliment. Like a few other players , he became a shadow of his former self as the second half progressed. Keith Kelly and Tom O’Driscoll were others to have a really good opening half.
Pioneers lost their influential captain very early on as they settled in possession without penetrating the Spartak back line and the Sky Blues duly took the lead on ten minutes when a Steve Grier throw was flicked on brilliantly by Breen for Love to nod home from close in.
The visiting keeper made good saves from Tom O’Driscoll and gathered Glen Burke’s attempted cross (after Glen’s strong run).
Spartak’s second arrived when Stu nodded back Tom O’Driscoll’s corner for Breen to force home. The best move came when Neil released Ger and his cross was nodded down to Love, who was slow to pull the trigger and allowed the keeper to block; McGowan blazed the loose ball over.
Pioneers had their own chances when the striker hit a fresh air shot when close in and then whizzed an effort just past the angle following loose marking at a corner by the home side.
At the start of the second half there were ominous signs that Spartak had dropped concentration. Burke was caught in possession, Will OConell had to track back to prevent a breakthrough and Peter OToole made a fine save to spare Steve Grier’s blushes after he lost possession in the penalty area. Steve and Keith Kelly were backing off the play, sitting too deep and creating space for Pioneers between Spartak’s defence and midfield.
On 54 minutes Steve Grier nodded hme at the back post from Tom’ODriscoll’s expert corner kick to give the home side a three goal cushion. Little did anyone know at the time it was the winning goal!
Stu hen played Steve in and when he squared Ger Byrne struck the bar from 3 yards – Ger was relieved to be given offside.
As Pioneers tried to force their way back, Glen made a great saving tackle; but a good shot reduced arrears as Spartak backed off. Then a looping effort hit the top of the bar as Peter struggled to readjust in the sticky conditions. A bad lapse of concentration by Glen Burke, another who started brightly and faded, allowed Pioneers to get the equaliser and then it was game on with 11 minutes to play.
Spartak then had to regain some measure of concentration and also
started winning a few tackles and headers, with subs Seamus McCahill battling well while Tom Flanagan used possession tidily.
An unnecessarily stressful close to a match in which Spartak’s dead ball expertise had placed them in a comfortable position.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 6 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 6 Keith Kelly 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Will O’Connell 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Seamus McCahill 6 Tom Flanagan 6 Dave Browne Paul Kinsella
