Spartak 2 , Aston Village 2 – Spartak lost 5-4 on penalties
A serious lapse in second half concentration cost Spartak dearly after a rampant first half looked to have the tie sewn up.
In the first half, only the visiting keeper kept Spartak from running riot. He saved well on a few occasions and had plenty to contend with. Despite missing injured players in Alex Kenny, Tom Flanagan and Neil McGowan(who came on for extra time only), and with Will O Connell unnacountably electing to get married during the season, Spartak still fielded a stong side.
A brilliant opening goal , when Cibirka’s corner was met by a powerful McEnroe header to give Spartak the lead, and number two arrived when Cibirka converted Love’s through pass. With Grier dominating at the back Spartak looked very comfortable. Breen missed a good chance for number 3 after good work by Cibirka and Burke.
As often happens, the failure to capitalise fully when on top was severely punished. Just after half time , a long throw was (again) flicked on by Breen and several Spartak players arrived too late to convert.
A collective switch off from a throw in led to Village pulling one back on 55 minutes, and they were then revitalised, with Spartak suddenly looking shaky in midfield and hesitant in defence. Lack of communication between Grace and Mahon allowed a visiting forward to take advantage of a diagonal ball to equalise.
Spartak continually created chances with Grier hitting the post and the hard working Burke forcing the keeper into several saves. Breen just failed to connect with Cibirka’s cross. Dan O Connell wasted a couple of good positions when breaking forward. At the other end, Village also struck the woodwork twice.
Extra time saw Spartak mostly on top, but once again just failing to capitalise.
The regulation 5 penalties finished level, with Peter O Toole saving, but the advantage was quickly lost when the hitherto reliable Cibirka missed his third penalty in a row. Grace, Grier (at the second attempt) and McGowan also scored.
In sudden death, Village scored and McEnroe, hampered by a thigh injury, placed his shot well but not powerfully enough and the keeper dived full length to save.
A game of two halves really and a bitter defeat considering the quality of the attacking play and a harsh lesson in football realities.
Peter O Toole 6 Anto Doyle 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 8 Fintan Grace 5 Stuart Love 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Gintaras Cibirka 8 Glen Burke 6 Graham Breen 7 Tom Kowal 4. Subs Dan O Connell 4 Neil McGowan 5.
