Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak 5, St Pats CY 0

Spartak, who were missing key men, made light of the fact in overpowering St Pats in tough conditions.
A strong display by the home back four, backed up by the outstanding Peter O’Toole, laid the foundation for an important victory and the front two of Ger Byrne and Tom O’Driscoll destroyed the visiting defence.

Initially Spartak’s attacks were halted by some dubious offside calls but then Glen Burke’s shot from distance brought a good save form the visiting keeper. On 15 minutes O’Driscoll exchanged passes with Byrne before outpacing the defence and rounding the keeper for a brilliantly taken score.

Glen then blazed over before a lapse from Martin Costello led to Pats hitting the side netting. O’Driscoll and Byrne combined for Will O’Connell to scuff his effort when well placed, and the keeper saved well from both O’Driscoll and Byrne.
Peter O’Tooles’ kick out was nodded on by the tireless Keith Kelly for Ger Byrne to take on the defence and, despite close attention, slot the ball neatly in for number 2. O’Toole then made a great save to maintain Spartak’s lead.

Spartak began the second period well and Will O’Connell again missed after good combination play had put him in. On 62 minutes Niall Hanratty turned defence into attack and Tom Flanagan’s header put O’Driscoll in to finish with aplomb. Minutes later Keith Kelly won the ball and drove through himself to add number 4.

In between Peter made another sharp save low to his left.

Hanratty’s run gave Byrne the ooportunity to hit the post, and Glen and Ger set up Will again to no avail. Hanratty and Niall Tilley combined for Glen to blaze over and when Hanratty’s excellent long range effort was touched on to the bar by the keeper, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the inrushing Byrne would add to his goal tally – instead he fired wildly over the bar with the keeper prostrate. A contender for miss of the season.
Niall Tilley crossed for Will O’Connell to finally get on the scoresheet but Glen missed out as he shot over again after good work from Seamus McCahill.

Overall Spartak showed the greater desire to win and turned in a performance to savour.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 9 Niall Hanratty 8 Fintan Grace 8 Martin Costello 8 Dave Browne 8 Tom Flanagan 7 Keith Kelly 8 Glen Burke 7 Will O’Connell 7 Tom O’Driscoll 9 Ger Byrne 8.
Subs Paul Kinsella 7 Niall Tilley 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Kevin O’Toole . Steve Grier no show.

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