Balbriggan 0, Spartak 2.
Spartak enjoyed a comfortable win courtesy of a clean sheet and two goals by Mick Costello to make it 6 wins from last seven games.
The back four put in a solid shift with Cathal Clancy dominant in the air while also making important blocks and distributing the ball simply. Dan O’Connell was in fine form and almost broke the deadlock with a cracking shot just wide in the first half.
For quite a while Spartak had good midfield supremacy courtesy of Will O’Connell’s tireless covering and neat distribution, but the final ball was often wasteful on the flanks from Niall Hanrattyand Rob Deering or the wrong option taken by strikers Thomas Gaynor and the hard working Glen Burke.
Rob Deering missed a big chance when volleying over from 10 yards after Glen flicked on.
On 38 minutes, Glen and Will combined to win the ball and transferred it to Rob Deering , cutting in from the left. His pass was controlled at the edge of the box by Mick Costello who slotted home. Cathal’s great block prevented Balbriggan from getting straight back into the game.
The visitors began the second period strongly with Dave O’Kelly finding his passing range and Hanratty’s cross was fluffed by Rob Deering. O’Kelly’s cross was neatly laid off by Thomas Gaynor to Burke who blazed over.
Balbriggan threatened when O’Kelly handled and Spartak switched off. Jason Northey missed a cross but the home side could only hit the side netting.
On the hour a fine move by Dan, Glen and Tom saw the ball break to Mick Costello who lashed home first time from 20 yards low into the bottom corner.
Derek McGoldrick made inroads down the left and should have won a penalty but the ref did not oblige. He then laid on a simple chance for Tom Gaynor who stuck the post. Tom was repeatedly caught offside and received a yellow card for protesting too strongly against the decisions.
Balbriggan had a goal disallowed on 80 minutes and that was the last scare.
A fine win and a good performance.
Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave O Kelly 7 Dan O Connell 8 Martin Costello 7 Cathal Clancy 8 Will O Connell 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Rob Deering 6 Thomas Gaynor 6 Glen Burke 7 Mick Costello 7
Subs: Derek McGoldrick 7 Ross Kelly 6 Colm O Sullivan 6
