Spartak Dynamo FC

20.3.16
Spartak 1, Ben Bulbin Utd 1

Spartak went into this game with a precipitous grip on first place in Premier 1, and several teams in hot pursuit, including the visitors.

The first half was a tight affair, Benbulbin punishing a Paul Kinsella error to take the lead, and Steve Grier equalising with a towering header from Thom O’Driscoll’s free kick. Just prior, with the score at nil-nil, Steve Grier had taken advantage of a poor kick out to put Ger Byrne through on goal, with the goalie scrambling back for position. Ger, however, rushed his effort and fired over the bar. Not long after, Thom O’Driscoll was taken down in the area, but the referee waved play on, much to the visitors’ relief.

Gradually Spartak took control as the second half wore on, striking the crossbar twice, and Benbulbin clearing off the line from Dave Kernan’s header.

In injury time, a Thom O’Driscoll corner was headed back down by Neil McGowan to Keith Kelly, whose shot from eight yards struck the underside of the bar but stayed out.

The watching, injured, Stuart Love must have longed for some goalmouth action. With the ball bouncing around the visitors’ goalmouth in those closing stages, Stuart would surely have forced one in from close range!

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neil McGowan 6 Kev O’Toole Mick Leslie

19.3.16
Spartak 4, Willows 1

In the end this was a comfortable victory but defensive frailties gave Willows opportunities to make it a closer contest.

A great through ball by Niall Lennon gave Conor Callis the space to square the ball to Jeff Gamble for a simple chance. One nil after just four minutes. Spartak, emboldened by this early boost, then had a few chance to increase the lead, but Jeff Gamble stumbled when clean through and Darren Ritchie shot wide when well placed. As often happens, these misses were put in stark contrast when Willows equalised, following some sloppy play and errors in decision making at the back.

Conor Callis then had a fine run, stopped by illegal means inside the area. The ref initially pointed for a spot kick, but then awarded a free on the edge of the box. No matter, as Mick Leslie accurately fired home the free to the corner of the net.

Darren Ritchie made it 3-1 before the break from Niall Lennon’s pass, with Willows threatening again at the other end before the break.

The pace of the game dropped considerably in the second half, and it was not until the 71st minute that Jeff Gamble made the points safe , poking home from close range.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Browne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Ritchie 6 Conor Callis 6
Subs: Ciaran Keane 5 Kevin Murphy 5 Tom Maher 5

13.3.16
Glasnevin 0, Spartak 3.

After a scoreless first half, the game was settled by two Dave Kernan goals and one from Steve Walsh.

On a pich declared unplayable just two weeks before, the drier conditions led to to a bumpy and uneven surface, making control difficult for both sides. Dave Kernan had the best chance in a fairly uneventful first half, but fired too close to the keeper.

Almost immeditely the second period began, Spartak took full control, Kernan firing home from ten yards after tenacious approach wok by Thom O’Driscoll and Ger Byrne. Steve Walsh converted Dave Kernan’s cross for number two shorlty after, and despite Glasnevin’s efforts to throw men forward, Spartak stood firm, especially in central defence with Paul Kinsella and Karl McCullagh formimg a solid partnership.

Dave Kernan capped a man of the match performance by slotting in the third goal on 70 minutes.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5, Dave Browne 6 Martin Costello 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Kernan 8 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Leslie 6 Neil Walsh 5

12.3.16
Seafordrock 4, Spartak 3

Spartak had to switch from Marlay and concede home advantage at the unusual saturday kick off time of midday for this Vere Deane cup tie.

Spartak, with Jeff Gamble arriving late from a his schoolboy managerial duties, nonetheless took an early lead with a fantastic finish by Niall Lennon. Some non-existent marking at the back post allowed Seaford to equalise, but good approach work by Darren Ritchie and Niall Lenon put Jeff Gamble in to restore Spartak’s lead.

However the defensive horror show continued, and Seaford, by the hour mark, had scored three unanswered goals, to turn a 2-1 lead fro Spartak into a 2-4 deficit. Ciaran Keane had a chance to reduce arrears, but blazed well over. Niall Lenon and Darren Ritchie continued to force the pace in attack , and Spartak had a a few half chances, Lennon volleying over the bar, and Conor Callis missing the chance to square from a good position.

Shane McInerney scored with a neat looping header from Dave O’Kelly’s free almost immediately on his introduction, but Spartak were unable to muster an equaliser which would have forced extra time.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Chris hogan 4 Steve Browne 4 Fintan Grace 4 Mick Leslie 5 Conor Callis 4 Jeff Gamble 6 Darren Ritchie 7 Niall Lennon 8 Ciaran Keane 4
Subs: Shane McInerney 7 Ross Kelly 6

1.3.16
Pioneers 3, Spartak 0

Injury struck early and often for the Sky Blues in this table top clash with the favourites for the league title. Martin Costello did not survive the warm up, while injuries to Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly saw Spartak force to make two substitutions in the first 20 minutes.

Pioneers are a powerful oufit, but it was Spartak who fashioned the best chance of a tight first half. Ger Byrne sent Steve Walsh through on goal, but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Pioneers struck the bar with their one chance of note in the opening period.

The game looked all over a candidate for a scoreless draw, with neither attack mustering much in the was of getting on top of superior defences, but the game turned on a goalkeeping error. Paul Byrne’s pass was intercepted by a local forward, whose shot looked well within Jason Northey’s capacity to deal with, but inexplicably the ball ended in the net, despite being a pretty inept effort.

Pioneers had the breakthrough the wanted, and Spartak tried gamely to get back in the game; Jeff Gamble volleyed just wide, while Ger Byrne almost scrambled one in from close range.

But in the dying minutes Pioneers added two goals, the third being the last kick of the game, as Spartak were stretched in search of goals themselves.

A disappointing result.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Paul Byrne 5 Neil McGowan 5 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Young 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Leslie 5

6.2.16
Spartak 3, Pormarnock 1

Spartak recovered from a disastrous start to come out on top against an industrious and tough tackling Portmarnock outfit, who took the lead from the spot after Shane McInerney was deemed to have fouled. Indeed the visitors should have extended their lead after some weak defending when they blazed wide.

Ciaran Keane equalised somewhat fortuitously after Mick Greene’s corner, half cleared, was returned into the area by Mick Leslie. Ciaran’s first effort squirted back to him off a defender, and he made no mistake with the second attempt.

It was pretty even for the remainder of the half, both sides having half chances but nothing clear cut.

Spartak pressed hard in the second period; Shane McInerney had a header cleared for a corner; Darren Ritchie struck the bar after a quick Chris Hogan free. The visitors meanwhile had one scrambled off the line.

It was not till the 81st minute that a fine Steve Browne pass sent Jeff Gamble clear to put the Sky Blues in the lead for the first time, and Jeff scored again after a Darren Ritchie assist.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 6 Steve Browne 8 Fintan Grace 7 Mick Leslie 6 Rob Kennedy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Darren Ritchie 6 Ciaran Keane 5
Subs: Leo Bradley 5 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Keith Kelly 6

20.2.16
Sallynoggin 4, Spartk 1

In poor conditions in Sallynogin, Spartak were denied a clear spot kick with the game scoreless, as Jeff Gamble was clearly fouled racing on to Mick Leslie’s pass.

Mick Leslie had a free kick saved, before the home side took the lead, courtesy of some poor play by both full backs. A long range effort made it 2-0 at the break.

Spartak worked hard to get back in the game; Niall Lennon missed at the back post, while Greg Byrne took of some fine saves at the other end.

In fairness, the pressure remained on the Spartak back four, who responded manfully in the mud, with Fintan Grace the pick of the bunch. A poor kick out was returned skilfully to the net to make it 3-0, and the both sided exchanged goals with Jeff Gamble scoring from close in after approach play by Shane McInerney and Niall Lennon.

What might have been, had that penalty been awarded.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Steve Browne 7 Fintan Grace 8 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Niall Lennon 7 Jeff Gamble 7 Mick Leslie 5 Ciaran Keane 5
Subs: Tony Kavanagh 6 Ross Kelly 6 Tom Maher 6

6.2.16
Pormarnock 1, Spartak 3

Two goals by substitute Keith Kelly, the second with the last kick of the match, decided his tie in Spartak’s favour.

The win was overshadowed by the arm injury to Mick Costello, sustained in a clash when punching clear. Mick tried to continue, before departing for hospital, and was replaced in goal by the ever reliable Mick Greene, who did a capable job of deputising.

The game featured a very open first half, with many chances to either side. Ciaran Keane had a goal disallowed for offside against a colleague, while Jeff Gamble, Ciaran Keane and Darren Ritchie all missed presentable opportunities. Slack play by Spartak allowed the hosts to create at will, and they took the lead. Portmarnock also forced Mick Costello into a number of saves, and missed some good openings.

Portmarnock gained the upper hand for a while, and, with more composure, might well have increased their lead. The equaliser for Spartak arrived just before the break, with Darren Ritchie prodding home Jeff Gamble’s knock down.

With Thom O’Driscoll and Niall Lennon taking more control in the middle of the park, Spartak began to set up more attacks in the second period, but all too frequently fell into the home side’s offside trap.

The introduction of Keith Kelly, for the injured Ciaran Keane, proved pivotal. Neither of his finishes could be called powerful, but both were on target. The first where Darren Ritchie’s touch sent him through; with Jeff Gamble square, Keith opted for the shot, and it trickled weakly under the keeper. The second, in injury time, saw Thom O’Driscoll’s free kick cleverly pick out Keith, who swiveled and fired a looping effort with his hitherto unused left foot which the keeper allowed dip over his head.

The home side had poured forward after Spartak took the lead, but the Spartak defence shook off their first half lethargy, and stood firm. The third goal permitted no comeback, as the ref blew for time as Portmarnock restarted.

A welcome three points and a boost before next week’s cup tie versus Seaford Rock.

All are hoping for a speedy recovery for Mick Costello, detained in hospital with a broken arm.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Dave Browne 6 Mick Greene 6 Steve Browne 7 Fintan Grace 7 Thom O’Driscoll 8 Martin Costello 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Darren Ritchie 6 Niall Lennon 7 Ciaran Keane 6
Subs: Keith Kelly 7 Tom Maher 6

24.1.16
Spartak 4, Swords 1

Conditions for this game were difficult after the recent heavy rain – long grass and soaked pitch was a severe tester for players who had not played for some weeks.

Spartak’s ranks were depleted by injuries and absentees, but the available players put in a solid performance, full of energy and pace, particularly in the first half.

Spartak raced into an early two goal lead, but not before the visitors had a clear chance as Mick Leslie misjudged a header. Luckily, the forward prodded the ball straight at Jason Northey.

The opening goal came from a free taken by Neil McGowan after Keith Kelly was fouled. Mick Young’s miscue fell straight into Ger Byrne’s path and he made no mistake from close range. Jeff Gamble then won a penalty, which he took himself. It was not his best effort, but the ball squirmed under the diving custodian to make it 2-0. Jeff Gamble then spurned a decent chance after Mick Young’s run and cross, and Ger Byrne raced onto Jeff Gamble’s header but shot wide. Swords responses were sporadic and generally their attack was well held by the Sky Blues’ back four.

The visitors had a couple of decent efforts in the second period, aided by some distracted defending and erratic clearances. In one scramble, only great work by Paul Kinsella and Jason Northey prevented what seemed to be a certain goal.

It was not until the 83rd minute that Spartak made the game safe with a third score after a couple of chanacs had gone astray. Dave O’Kelly headed over from close range. Keith Kelly, who had earlier been just off target with a blistering shot, made a lung bursting run down the right flank, outpacing several defnders, before squaring for Jeff Gamble, who applied the simple finish. Swords responded by reducing arrears a minute later with a snap shot, but with a couple of minutes remaining Mick Leslie released Ger Byrne who ran from inside his own half to apply a calm finish for goal number four.

In the circumstances, a highly creditable performance.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 7 Mick Leslie 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Jeff Gamble 7 Ger Byrne 7 Mick Young 7 Paul Byrne 7
Subs: Dave O’Kelly 7 Neil Walsh 6 Steve Grier 5