Spartak 8, Portmarnock 2
Spartak ran riot as good approach play was regularly converted. Cian with 4 , Steve, Stuart, Mick and James got the goals in a big win.
One of those days when a lot went right. And a lot went wrong for the visitors.
Best for Spartak were Ciaran, Cian, James and Stuart.
6.10.24
Arklow Celtic 4, Spartak 5
Rain soaked Arklow was the venue for this Shield fixture; and never was a “game of two halves” mor appropriate.
Spartak were fast out of the blocks and played at a fast pace; the goals flowed – James, Keith (2) Neil and Cian before the visitors reduced the deficit.
The second half saw a very open contest with the conditions deteriorating; In turn, Arklow scored followed by a very scorable Spartak chance. Some chances missed were causing Paul Mohan some distress on the sideline as Arklow gradually got back to a one goal gap.
From having a very comfortable opening period, Spartak nerves were ragged by the end. a fine comeback attempt by Arklow, but the first half display by the Sky Blues proved enough.
Ian, Luke and Neil were best for the Sky Blues.
Palmerstown 1, Spartak 2
29.9.24
The Sky Blues turned the tables on Palmerstown in the reverse fixture; goals from Keith and Jack gave Spartak a tonic start and more goals could have followed, good approach play not matched by finishes.
The back four of Tubes, Steve, Ian and Luke were solid throughout and it was not until injury time that the locals reduced arrears.
A nice 3 points after last weeks disappointment.
Man of the match ; Steve
Spartak 2, Palmerstown 4
22.9.24
Spartak finally got started in the league after Comet delays were resolved.
However the Sky Blues were thwarted by their inability to take their chances , and were reduced to 10 late on when the unfortunate James Tomlin, newly on as substitute, suffered a broken arm; and the vistors took full advantage with late goals to seal the win.
When Spartak did score it was from a penalty from Neil and an own goal.
Best for Spartak were Luke, Ciaran and Keith.
VEC 3, Spartak 4
13.8.24
On a perfect summer’s evening the Sky Blues visited Terenure for a pre season friendly.
The home side began much the stronger and were particularly dangerous from corners, and it was from this source that they opened the scoring. Gradually Spartak came to life and, following a corner of their own, Mick finished calmly from close range to equalise.
VEC were a good deal better after the interval, scoring again from a good cross to a back post left free to an incoming home player who made it 2-1. Ciaran went in goal at the interval allowing Derek to play up top, to some effect. Some sloppy playing out from the back by Spartak allowed VEC to score again but two set piece efforts by Derek saw Spartak claw back to 3.3. Steve fired wide and Marco had two good headed efforts go close, Derek then added a neat finish after a good attacking move.
A worthwhile workout , but one which exposed fitness issues for some. Roll on/Roll off not available in the league!
Form Report
Derek 9 Chris 7 Luke 7 Ian 7 Keith 7 Stu 6 Neil 6 Ciaran B 6 James 6 Cian 6 Mick 6 Steve 7 Marco 6 Ciaran N 7 Dave 6
Greenhill Boys 3, Spartak 3
30.7.24
Spartak struggled for numbers with this game, former player Kevin Murphy switched sides to ensure the Sky Blues had 12 – Greenhills had 26 players!
Spartak were sprightly in attack and some rather rugby-like tactics were employed to stop Cian and James at times. From one free awarded Cian struck the crossbar, but Mick was unable to direct the rebound onto the goal, and Mick then shot weakly when James sent him through on a tight angle.
A poor pass out of defence gave the home side the opportunity, which they took to make it one nil.
Spartak gained more frees as Cian and James were baulked but from one effort Steve’s free was well over. Greenhills worked their way almost without hindrance from the Spartak defence to make it two on the stroke of half time.
Spartak reduced arrears when Cian pounced when the goalie parried an effort, but Greenhills responded with a free kick to the top corner. The Sky Blues now began to play with more precision and the passing quality improved greatly. Opportunities began to come Spartak’s way. Mick fired a good opportunity over and James could not force Cian’s cross over the line.
A fumble by the home keeper saw James pounce, only to be hauled down by a combination of defender and keeper. It seemed a clear spot kick , but the ref did not agree.
Stuart was fouled ( not for the first time) and Ste’s free was forced home by Stuart himself. 2-3.
Cian had a shot blocked, before the indefatigable Stuart recovered a loose ball on the left to cross; the headed clearance reached Steve on the edge of the box and he fired in a deserved equaliser.
A good workout.
Form Report
Craig 7 Chris 6 Luke 6 Ryan 6 Steve 8 Ste 8 Stuart 8 Marco 7 James 8 Cian 8 Mick 6. Guest Kevin 7
18.2.24
Spartak 5, Portmarnock 3
A very welcome win in which Spartak turned around a half time deficit with a flurry of early second half goals.
A typical Stuart Love short range effort put the Sky blues ahead early on, but the visitors rallied forcefully and by half time they were in command with a 2-1 lead.
The deficit was turned around in a devastating five minute spell at the start of the second period. Spartak responded with three goals during this spell; Neil McGowan’s corner kick was fumbled to the net before Gary Weafer broke through and finished with a delicious lob from 30 yards to put the home side in front.
The fourth goal came from a most unlikely, but most welcome, source when Dave Browne’ touchline free kick sailed into the net to make it 4-2.
These three goals were sandwiched by another opportunist close range finish by Stuart Love , before Portmarnock replied with a late consolation spot kick.
All action Stu Love .was man of the match
Form Report
Craig Howard 7 Chris Hogan 6 Dave Browne 7 Steve Grier 7 Ian Harmon 6 Stuart Love 8 Neil McGowan 7 Brian Long 6 Gary Weafer 7 Fergus Flynn 6 Ollie McStravick 6 Glen Burke 6
8.10.23
Gorey Rangers 1, Spartak 0 (AET)
A depleted Spartak squad travelled to Wexford in the Leinster Junior Shield, only to fall to a goal scored with just four minutes of extra time remaining.
The pitch was in perfect condition for the afternoon kick off and the hosts looked dangerous in attack from the off.
Tackles by the home team were sharp and a less lenient referee might have brandished more cards.
Steve Grier stepped in as emergency keeper and handled well throughout. The home team tended to shot from distance and many of their efforts were off target. The remainder were competently dealt with by Steve, ably assisted by his defensive colleagues.
The Sky Blues put in a spirited performance against a speedy and spirited home team and worked hard right through the match and defended resolutely, with Rangers having the territorial advantage for most of the contest.
For Spartak, the best opportunities were when Stu Love looped an attempt on to the woodwork, Brian Long shot wide when Aaron put him through and then Mick Leslie’s powerful effort forced a good parry from the home keeper.
As energy faded and injuries kicked in, Spartak, with just one substitute, found themselves shorn of fit players and were holding out for the penalty contest; this was foiled by the late score. With just seconds remaining, and all Sky Blues in the box for a set piece, the ref blew for a handball infringement in the six yard box. Unfortunately it was against a Spartak player, and the final whistle blew immediately.
Form Report
Steve 9 Ollie 7 Andy 7 Ian 8 Niall 7 Stu 8 Neil 7 Aaron 8 Gary 7 Brian 7 Mick 7 Sub: Alex 6.
2.4.23
Spartak 5, Mountview 1
The Sky Blues overcame a combative Mountview team with a strong opening half in this quarter final of the Vere Deane Cup.
Spartak were in form and in the mood from the off with Owen Marron’s strong running causing problems for the visiting defence.
Fergus Flynn was on target from close range to make it 1-0 before a header from Owen Marron made it two. The pick of the scores came when Mick Leslie met a headed clearance with an unstoppable strike for number three.
Mountview had a couple of chances but fired the best of them over the bar. Dave Power then had a goal disallowed.
Owen Marron completed his hatrick in the second half with a second header and a cool finish from Niall Lennon’s pass.
A messy end to the game saw the visitors reduced to 9 men following two red cards, and despite this they managed to score against a sloppy Spartak defence after some slow and poor passing by the Sky Blues in midfield backfired.
Form Report
Craig Howard 8 Chris Hogan 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Steve Grier 8 Ian Harmon 8 Stuart Love 6 Fergus Flynn 6 Owen Marron 9
Niall Lennon 6 Dave Power 8 Mick Leslie 8
Subs Dave Browne 6 Sean Nolan 5
Spartak 3, Wayside Celtic 3
A harsh penalty awarded to Wayside in the last moments deprived Spartak of the full points.
The Sky Blues seemed to have done enough to win, despite Wayside’s string second half pressure, and had built a three goal advantage.
Dave Power’s header gave the home side an early lead and Stev Grier added number two with a drilled shot to reach a century of goals for the club. Spartak did not have it all their own way were grateful to home custodian Craig Howard who pushed a goal bound shot onto the woodwork before retrieving the ball in the face of opposition forwards.
The second period saw Craig make another couple of fine saves and Neil McGowan cleared off the line as pressure built.
Against the run of play Mick Leslie’s magnificent pass sent Owen Marron clear to confidently make it three.
Wayside reduced arrears with a headed goal which looked suspiciously offside, and then a rather lucky deflected strike made it 3.2. Spartak were by now disrupted by now with some injuries and it was a case of seeing the game out.
Once again Craig Howard made a fabulous save to deny Wayside, and their centre back went close with a header.
The equaliser from the spot gave the visitors a share of the points.
Form Report
Craig Howard 9 Chris Hogan 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Steve Grier 8 Ian Harmon 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Power 7 Mick Leslie 7 Ciaran Brady 8 Owen Marron 7
Subs Fergus Flynn 5 Dave Browne 5 Carl Gaffney 5
