Knocklyon1, Spartak 2.
A memorable win for a battling Spartak side closed the gap at the top of Division 2 Sunday.
The victory was the fruit of fine defending and hard work all around as Knocklyon had the lion’s share of possession. Spartak made the most of their few chances and defended bravely and vigorously.
The final ten minutes when the home side threw everything into the onslaught for an equaliser featured great tackling, blocks, headers, clearances and saves from the sky blues to thwart all attempts.
Knocklyon had much the best of the first half with Spartak struggling to string passes together. They hit the bar from a corner and Alex Kenny had to clear off he line with Peter O’Toole beaten. On several ocaasions Spartak were hapy to clear at the expense of corners and throws. On one Spartak break Neil McGowan and Gintaras Cibirka combined but Stuart Love’s pass was intercepted.
On 41 minutes, Spartak got the break through against the run of play and just as Knocklyon were starting to dominate possession. A throw in was flicked on and Cibirka showed strength and composure to hold off a defender, draw the keeper and lay on a simple tap in for Will O’Connell.
Steve Grier made a fine saving tackle early in the second half as Knocklyon tried to get level. Spartak broke well at times and when Tom Flanagan was clear and fouled it was surprising that no card was produced. Spartak had opportunities from corners when first WillO’Connell mistimed his run and then when Steve Grier shot tamely wide.
Kenny and Grier were dominant in the aerial duels and the Spartak defence tackled and blocked like fury while O’Toole made a couple of fine saves as the siege started to build again.
On 71 minutes Spartak got number two direct from a Steve Grier long throw which Graham Breen’s header adroitly guided past the keeper.
The two goal lead did not last long as the home number six powered home a header from a corner at the post abandoned by Burke.
Spartak’s best breakout should have yielded a penalty when Burke was fouled; instead the ref, a long way behind the play, chose the easier option of a free on the edge of the box. Cibirka’s effort was deflected over.
Overall a resolute performance which continues Spartak’s resurgence.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Rob Mahon 7 Steve Grier 9 Alex Kenny 9 Tom Flanagan 7 Neil McGowan 7 Gintaras Cibirka 7 Will O’Connell 8 Graham Breen 7 Stuart Love 7
Subs Tom Kowal 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Dave Browne Fintan Grace Kevin O’Toole Mick Greene.
