Spartak 4 Balbriggan 2
A number of defections impacted on team selection, with the self styled Dynamo child and others partying or rehearsing rather than playing, led to Mick Costello swapping his goalkeeping gloves for a midfield role, performing well and capping it with a goal.
James Finn slotted into central defence and along with Cathal Clancy was solid.
Spartak started this match very brightly and took the lead on 15 minutes when Steve Browne slotted home taking full advantage of a bad back pass. Earlier he had blazed a free kick way over the bar from a good position, as captain and free taker Mick Greene stood by.
Wave upon wave of Spartak attacks rained down on the visitors goal with the Spartak back four and midfield in creative form. Adam Doran added number two with a smart turn and neat finish, before a Doran corner was bundled in by Mick Costello for number three. Browne’s tendency to shoot too early cost him the opportunity to further add to his tally as leading scorer. A warning from Balbriggan was delivered when Spartak’s lack of pressure on the ball allowed a cross which drifted diagonally and was met on the right but pushed wide.
Colm O’Sullivan had a one on one chance in the first minute of the second half, but his shot was too close to the keeper. On 48 minutes Mick Costello won the ball close to the edge of the box and slipped it to Steve Browne, who laid off perfectly into the path of Doran and he drilled home a powerful cross shot into the bottom corner.
Spartak then dr0pped concentration somewhat and Balbiggan came to the fore. On the right flank both Dan O Connell and Dave O Kelly began to show signs of wear and tear and Balbriggan overlapped to good effect. Cathal Clancy, having been carded for a tackle, then made a tremendous goal saving tackle on the edge of the six yard box, winning a goal kick to boot. On 76 minutes, a long throw in caused confusion in the home defence and Balbriggan tapped home.
Spartak were effective on the break, but called back by some strange offside decisions, with Steve Browne getting booked for commenting, and also by missed chances by a tiring Browne and then by Rob Deering from close in while Adam Doran chose to shoot from the right when a pass to an unmarked team mate would have been more effective.
Overall an impressive performance.
Form Report
Northey 7 O’Kelly 7 Greene 7 Finn 8 Clancy 8 McInerney 8 D O Connell 8 Doran 9 S Browne 7 O’Sullivan 7 Mick Costello 8
subs N Bolger 6 Deering 6
December 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
“as captain and free taker Mick Greene stood by.” – I cant remember my last free kick in the opposition half. Its just not the same without Frank there to knock in. I think I got about 20 “assists” that year. It would have been 15 goals only Frank would claim anything.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I think you right Mick, 35’s won 7-2 in there last game, i hear Frank claimed 7 and 2 og’s