Spartak 6 Meath Rangers 2
A mix up in arrangements led to Meath playing the first 15 minutes with 8 men. Indeed the match only commenced at 11.20 due to the leniency of the referee. Spartak , on the other hand , had a full squad for the first time this season with seven men on the bench, and also the late arriving Anto Doyle.
Spartak, having not played since 18th October, were hurried and over anxious in their attempts to take advantage of Meath’s short numbers. Steve Grier hit the bar with a long range free and Burke, out of sorts on the day, returned the rebound to the keeper. Crosses and shots were rushed and inaccurate. Corners from Cibirka, Burke and Kowal proved ineffective. Burke flicked a shot over and Breen headed over. Breen won the ball and with the keeper out of position but Cibirka and Burke were unable to take advantage.
Almost inevitably, Meath, having reached full strength, scored first following a corner on 28 minutes. Love and Kenny were turned and a snap shot beat O’Toole.
On 38 minutes Mahon swung in a cross which Breen headed powerfully against the bar and then reacted first to nod in the rebound for the equaliser. Better was to follow on 41 minutes when a 25 yard free kick was expertly converted by McGowan, starting his first match since 20th September.
Just on half time Meath equalised after a headed clearance by Grier , the ball was knocked down our right wing behind Kenny and the cross was converted by an unmarked striker.
The second half saw Spartak settle to a better tempo and Cibirka hit the post early on,Kenny blazed over the bar from Cibirka’s cross and Grier had a shot blocked on the line. Cibirka’s turn and cross led to Grier giving Spartak the lead on 55 minutes. Burke then sent Kowal in but he shot wide. Breen had to go off with a hamstring injury after an impressive display.
Kenny’s good work led to a corner and McGowan’s inswinger was volleyed home by Breen for number 4. Dissent by Kowal over a throw in led to a yellow card. A neat lay off by Cibirka led to McGowan shooting wide when well placed, but then a good move on 77 minutes by McGowan led to Kowal presenting Cibirka with a simple chance to score number 5.
On 86 minutes good work by impressive substitute Will O Connell , who had earlier headed just over, gave Cibirka the opportunity to return the compliment and present Kowal with simplest of chances for number 6.
Spartak could even afford the indulgence of allowing Dave Browne to hit a close in free kick the proverbial mile wide while captain and free taker McGowan watched.
A good day to get Meath, who have been playing well, and good return after a long lay off due to weather.
Form Report
P O Toole 7 Kenny 7 Mahon 7 Grier 8 Grace 7 Love 8 McGowan 9 Cibirka 8 Burke 6 Breen 8 Kowal 7
subs W O Connell 7 McEnroe 6 Browne 5
subs not used D O Connell Doran Doyle K O Toole Flanagan
