22.9.12
\nSpartak 1, Leicester 3<\/p>\n
After the neat brand of football played in the previous game against the league leaders, Spartak put on a deeply disappointing display. <\/p>\n
The game as a spectacle was ruined by a poor referee who favoured neither side but got in the way of a decent contest with bizarre decisions. While Spartak, having less of the play, were punished slightly less than Leicester it made for a frustrating afternoon for both sides.<\/p>\n
The midfield battle was lost early; early injury to Steve O\u2019Hara didn\u2019t help but the Leicester midfield did as they wished throughout the game, with superior fitness a telling factor. Dermot Dooley and Graham McEnroe, so influential in good display in the Swords match, were sorely missed for composure and quick passing.<\/p>\n
An early Leicester goal arrived when Dave O\u2019Kelly was caught wrong side of the winger ; his defensive colleagues were unable to prevent the cross being converted but Spartak quickly equalised after a fine run by Conor Callis, who drew the keeper and presented Jeff Gamble with a tap in for his first Spartak goal.<\/p>\n
Leicester then scored two in three minutes without reply; the Sky Blues defence did not look like a solid unit for this period of the game.<\/p>\n
Spartak rallied and had a brief bright spell before half time ; Shane McInerney will wonder how he did not force the ball over the line from a yard out when a score that would have brought the Sky Blues back into the game seemed inevitable ; Jeff Gamble and Joe Roe also had chances, while Mick Costello headed over.<\/p>\n
Second half fatigue affected the Sky Blues more than Leicester, compounded by an irresponsible red card for Dave O\u2019Kelly, and only Conor Callis presented an attacking threat; but he lacked support. Leicester always carried the greater threat and Cathal Clancy was relieved to see his interception rebound off the home crossbar.<\/p>\n
A day on which very few players in Sky Blue can look back on with satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Form Report:
\nBobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O\u2019Kelly 4 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O\u2019Hara 5
\nSubs: Mark Brady 6 Conor Canavan 5 Barry Maguire 5 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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