Everton 4, Spartak 0.
A somewhat depleted Spartak side exited the Shield tamely.
Spartak had a great start to this fourth round Shield tie and early on a couple of clear chances to go ahead. Thomas Gaynor released Tom O’Driscoll on a one on one and his chip was well saved. From the corner Cathal Clancy had an opportunity from close in but shot at the keeper. Derek McGoldrick made a number of foraging runs and was taken down on the 18 yard line. Gaynor’s free was wildly over the bar.
At the other end Everton headed against the bar and Jason Northey saved well from another effort. Martin Costello Kevin O’Toole and Cathal Clancy were struggling to assert their authority on the home attackers.
On 36 minutes a rash challenge by Shane McInerney gave Everton a soft penalty and the breakthrough they needed.
At the other end Costello and Clancy fell into the offside trap after Steve Browne touched on an O’Driscoll free.
Northey’s reluctance to leave his line to command the area forced the defence deeper and caused considerable difficulty, along with some poor distribution, paricularly from throws.
Everton began the second half well and hit the bar with a early effort. Niall Hanratty, always reluctant to deliver the simple pass, was caught in possession twice in the same passage of play and Everton broke to score . 0-2.
Clancy picked up a booking following an aerial challenge.
Tom O’Driscoll’s shot was touched over as Spartak tried to get back, but when Costello was caught in possession Everton went on for number three. Hanratty cleared after Northey was rounded and in the last minute Dave Williams had a good chance when Mike Hull’s cross caused panic. From the clearance Everton scored number four on the whistle.
Spartak will rue the fact that the occasion got to some players and that the game came on a weekend when so many were missing. Top scorer Browne’s form has dipped and some key performers in previous games such as Hanratty Costello and O’Driscoll were well below their best.
Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Derek McGoldrick 6 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Thomas Gaynor 5 Colm O’Sullivan 4 Steve Browne 4 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Kevin O’Toole 5
Subs Mike Hull 5 Dave Browne 6 Dave Williams 5
