Spartak 1 Everton 3
Spartak exited the Tom Watt cup on Saturday with late goals conceded flattering the opposition somewhat.
The match was delayed by 45 minutes due to late arrival of substitute referee and Spartak had to weather an early storm, conceding free after free, mostly needlessly and some blatantly, although the opposition’s propensity to go to ground did influence the referee somewhat.
Spartak’s attacks from free kicks were halted by Everton’s simple expedient of stepping out to play offside.
Spartak led from the 47th minute until conceding an equaliser on 80 minutes from a corner which the defenders allowed a free header on the 6 yard line.
Spartak had a dream start to the second half when Steve Browne’s run was halted by the keeper’s tackle outside the box; Steve won the block tackle and transferred to Tom O’Driscoll who was coolness itself in finding the net from 18 yards through the covering defenders.
Jason Northey showed hesitation when Everton headed wide from 3 yards and his slowness to leave his line caused a number of incidents, with Spartak’s defenders having to come deep for the through ball. In one incident he took a knock as Cathal Clancy and a forward collided with him in the box. Nonetheless he made a couple of fine saves from good Everton opportunities.
Spartak were now pinned back as Everton piled into the attack in search of an equaliser. Spartak looked to defend for their lives and run down the clock.
Despite the pressure Spartak looked set to hold on until the goal from the corner. Following the equaliser a slick move by Browne, Bolger and Kelly created a one on one only for the referee to call offside, incorrectly.
Extra time loomed until, in the 90th minute, Martin Costello, not playing at his usual level, allowed a ball to bounce and then slipped at the edge of the box and the forward beat Northey with ease.
To add insult to injury a long ball following loss of possession by O’Kelly gave an Everton player time to pick his spot as Northey backed off.
Spartak will rue that equaliser.
Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Dave O Kelly 6 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Rob Deering 6 Neill Bolger 6 Chris Hogan 5 Steve Browne 6 Tom O Driscoll 6 Mick Costello 5.
Subs: Colm O Sullivan 5 Derek McGoldrick 5 Ross Kelly 5
