Spartak 3 St Pats CY 2
After recent travails Spartak served up a sparkling display to outclass the league leaders and cup holders. Spartak created many more chances and in truth could have won by a handsome margin, despite the absence through injury of the talismanic Cibirka.
Spartak seized an early advantage on 9 minutes when Graham Breen slotted home after a mistake by the visiting keeper. The lead was doubled on 15 minutes when a superb Neil McGowan pass released Graham McEnroe. He still had plenty to do and did it with style outpacing the chasing defender and stylishly burying the ball with his right foot.
McEnroe and Breen were causing endless problems to the visitors, prompted by Tom Flanagan , McGowan and Glen Burke at right back who made a number of marauding runs.
Referee Denis Kavanagh served up a number of strange decisions, and in a rumbustious contest did not show any cards. Quite a number of players on both sides should be grateful for his forbearance.
Spartak had a number of opportunities to add to their total; Stuart Love’s shot lacked venom, Breen’s effort was saved and McEnroe was wide.
Pat’s pulled one back on 43 minutes when a long range free kick was deflected by the wall fortuitously into the path of the striker who made no mistake.
The second half began with Pats taking the intiative and some untidy handling from Peter O’Toole. Gradually Spartak beganto play intelligently on the break and McEnroe had many chances to add to his total after some fine approach work by Flanagan McGowan and Breen. On one occasion his shot was deflected onto the bar; he shot wide following a ong throw; and blazed over after a long run.
The clinching goal came on 85 minutes when Flanagan, strangely unmarked, converted McGowan’s free kick.
Pats reduced arrears in the 91st minute when a stray McGowan pass was met by the full back who scored with a dipping shot from fully forty yards past a startled O’Toole.
However the home side had done more than enough to progress in what was a very satisfying performance.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Glen Burke 8 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 8 Alex Kenny 8 Tom Flanagan 8 Neil McGowan 8 Stuart Love 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Graham Breen 8 Tomasz Kowal 6
Sub Dan O’Connell 6 Rob Mahon Dave Browne
