Spartak Dynamo FC

7.10.18
Ayrfield 2, Spartak 3

An early 2-0 lead gave the Sky Blues the platform for this victory.

Mo Sheleg’s cross was met by Cian Stenson, and when the keeper could only parry, Mick Leslie made no mistake from six yards.

Mick Leslie made it two with a fine header form Owen Marron’s cross. Spartak remained in control of the first half, with Stuart Love wide from good position, although Niall Hanratty was forced to make a sharp save.

The home side replied immediately after the break, and then might have equalised when Owen Marron’s misplaced pass inadvertently put the striker through, only to lob over the crossbar.

Owen Marron took advantage of a goalkeeper error to prod in the third, and chances thereafter were evenly distributed. Mick Leslie had a good opportunity but could not complete his hattrick, while Dave Browne made a vital block. Ayrfield got a second close to the end, but the Sky Blues held firm

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 7 Jimmy Dawson 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Owen Marron 6 Mo Sheleg 6 Mick Leslie 7 Neil McGowan 6 Cian Stenson 6.
Subs: Amin Afsar 5 Chris Hogan

20.10.18
Spartak 2, Rosemount 3

A spirited comeback looked certain to end happily for the Sky Blues, as they fought back from a two goal deficit. Spartak looked the more likely winners until an injury time breakaway gave the visitors a scarcely deserved victory.

The first half saw the visitors in control and comfortably ease into a two goal lead , without much from Spartak in the attacking sense.

A fine move instigated by Mick Leslie saw Ger Byrne volley in Jason Fenlon’s cross to bring new heart to the Sky Blue cause. Dale Mullins gave Owen Marron a good opportunity, but the shot was straight at the keeper.

With just a few minutes left, Owen Marron and Dale Mullins combined to allow Jason Fenlon to sweep in the equaliser.

But failure to prevent a cross, right at the death, proved fatal to the Sky Blues hopes and saw the visitors leave elated.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Andy Timmons 7 Leo Behan 7 Steve Browne 7 Owen McCormack 7 Jason Kelly 7 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 6 Owen Marron 5 Ger Byrne 6 Jason Fenlon 7
Subs: Conor Callis 5 Shane McInerney 6 Conor Canavan 6

29.9.18
Spartak 2, Edenderry Town 2

By the time the Sky Blues woke up in this match they faced a two goal deficit.

Indeed it was all Edenderry as Spartak contributed to their supremacy with lethargic, and sometimes sloppy, passing.

A panicky clearance ricocheted nicely for a visiting forward to put Edenderry ahead; and some ball watching allowed a second goal. Spartak had put together one fine move at nil-nil, with Keith Kelly and Ger Byrne combining to give Steve Grier a chance close in, but in attempting to clip the ball over the keeper Steve hit the top of the bar, and over.

Stuart Love gave Stev Grier a chance of a shot, which the keeper saved at the expense of a corner. Amin Afsar’s flag kick was nodded in by Stuart Love, just before half time.

Spartak showed purpose in the second period, and got into some good crossing positions, without unduly troubly the visiting net minder.

With 15 minutes remaining, a Ger Byrne pass put Mo Sheleg in on goal; his shot was blocked, but Jeff Gamble, following up, equalised.

Spartak, energised, now went for the win; Cian Stenson and Neil McGowan both went close, but the best chance fell to Stuart Love who headed over from close range.

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 6 Keith Kelly 6 Cian Stenson 7 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 5 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Amin Afsar 5
Sub Chris Hogan 5 Mohammed Sheleg 6

23.9.18
Spartak 6, Tymon Bawn 0

A three goal salvo in the opening ten minutes put Spartak firmly in control of this game. Ger Byrne got two opportunist scores before Niall Hanratty finished a cross by Cian Stenson.
Spartak went close to conceding when Dave O’Kelly gave away possession at the edge of the box, but the visiting striker pulled his shot wide from a promising position.
Neil McGowan added number four, running on to a Cian Stenson pass before slotting home.

The second half was a damage limitation exercise for the visitors, but Neil McGowan and Niall Hanratty added goals to complete the scoring.

Form Report
Adam Doran 6 Keith Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Owen Marron 5 Ger Byrne 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Mick Leslie 5 Niall Lennon 6 Jimmy Dawson 5

16.9.18
Woodfarm 2, Spartak 2

It certainly felt like an opportunity missed, although Woodfarm had a glorious chance very late on which struck the woodwork, and which could have snatched victory against a tiring Sky Blue outfit.

Spartak were somewhat depleted, with Jimmy Dawson starting for the second time in the weekend, but opened well enough, and moved the ball through the thirds calmly. Keith Kelly had a great long range effort which hit the bar, and it was form Keith’s throw that Stuart Love flicked on which lured the keeper out to punch the ball straight to Amin Afsar, 15 yards out, and he neatly lobbed the ball in.

Spartak looked favourites to add to the scoreline before the break, but instead the locals equalised, against the run of play, after the winger came inside, evading tackles from Tom O’Driscoll and Neil McGowan to shoot in from outside the box.

The Sky Blues got the dream start to the second half, with Owen Marron pivoting to fire home left footed, after a good move involving Cian Stenson, Amin Afsar and Jeff Gamble. Then almost immediately Stuart Love and Jeff gamble combined to set up Cian Stenson, but he shot wide with the keeper out of position.

As injuries and tiredness set it, Spartak created few more chances and it was the home team who grew stronger, equalising before fashioning a few chances.

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 5 Keith Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Neil McGowan 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Stuart Love 6 Jimmy Dawson 6 Jeff Gamble 5 Owen Marron 6 Amin Afsar 5 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Conor Brady 5 Kevin Murphy 6 Ger Byrne 5

15.9.18
Spartak 3, Kilbarrack Utd 2

Man of the match Owen McCormack scored a header and an well taken opportunist goal to add to a fine performance at centre back.

The visitors were a good side, moved the ball well and could all play a bit, so the Sky Blues were under early pressure. However the defence played solidly throughout and kept the marauding forwards at bay with good tackle, blocks and interceptions.

A good move between Chris Hogan and Jason Fenlon saw the latter’s cross driven across goal, where a defender inadvertently deflected it in for the lead goal. Spartak had a flurry of chances following a corner, but snatched at each, before Kilbarrack broke at pace to secure an equaliser.

The Sky Blues’ response was instantaneous, with Owen McCormack nodding in Dale Mullins’ corner at the back post.

A solid second half performance saw the three points safe, after Owen McCormack took advantage of a goalkeeper’s misplaced pass to shoot in first time, left footed, from 25 yards. 3-1.

Kilbarrack got one back after Greg Byrne’s great save was followed in for the rebound by a forward.

But Spartak held firm and the points were secure.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 8 Leo Behan 5 Owen McCormack 9 Kevin Murphy 8 Shane McInerney 6 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 6 Jimmy Dawson 7 Jason Fenlon 6 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Conor Canavan 6 Conor Brady 5

8.9.18
Spartak 3, Broadford 0

A comprehensive victory over local rivals is always pleasant, and the manner of the win was pleasing.

A solid defensive performance, a clean sheet, and important contributions from the bench all helped.

Dale Mullins put the Sky Blues ahead , racing on to Steve Grier’s pass to neatly convert. Jason Fenlon and Tom O’Driscoll had opportunities to add to the score, Jason fired over and Tom just failed to connect when racing on to a long pass.

Tom then struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort from distance to lay down a marker at the start of the second period, but it was not till late on that Spartak added two more, Neil McGowan shooting in on 79 minutes after a Conor Callis corner was half cleared, and then Neil, Conor Callis and Niall Hanratty combined to put Jeff Gamble in for a third with just three minutes remaining.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 7 Dave Browne 7 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dale Mullins 7 Steve Grier 7 Jason Fenlon 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6
Subs: Kevin Murphy 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Conor Callis 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Conor Canavan 6

1.9.18
Walkinstown 3, Spartak 0

A tough start to the season at a venue where the Sky Blues have been successful in recent seasons. But not this time.

A powerful home team held the whip hand in terms of possession and territory, but Spartak created the clearer chances in the first half, with Jason Fenlon having a couple of efforts saved.

The game turned in a single second half minute. A good Spartak move saw Jason Fenlon through on goal ten yards out, but he dragged his effort wide, and almost immediately at the other end Owen McCormack was penalised for a rash tackle in the box. Greg Byrne got a good hand to the resultant penalty, but it was forcefully struck and so the home side took the lead.

Spurred on by this, Walkinstown scored two fine goals. Spartak’s best chance came at 2-0 down when Amin Afsar’s curler beat the keeper and hit the post, but Mick Leslie was unable to force in the rebound.

Disappointing.

From Report
Greg Byrne 7 Ian Harmon 6 Steve Grier 6 Owen McCormack 5 Owen Marron 5 Stuart Love 6 Mick Leslie 5 Amin Afsar 5 Jason Fenlon 6 Jimmy Dawson 6
Subs: Dale Mullins 6 Shane McInerney 5

Friday June 1st sees the annual awards night in the Eden House.

Three players have reached the 200 game milestone, namely Stuart Love, Niall Hanratty and Chris Hogan (That’s Tubes to the uninitiated).

Club Man of the Year has the usual batch of previous winners in Jason Doyle, Mick Greene, Paul McGowan and Barry Crowe, with Ger Byrne, Chris Hogan and Stuart Love and Shea McClafferty also nominated

For Sunday Player of the Year, Ger Byrne and Stuart Love (again) along with Steve Grier, Jeff Gamble Dave Kernan and Dave Browne comprise the list of candidates

Saturday Player of the Year nominations are Greg Byrne, Mick Leslie, Cian Stenson, Sean Doyle and Chris Hogan, and a wildcard nomination for Gerry McGuinness.

6.5.18
Spartak 4, DAA 2

A third win in five games boosted the Sky Blues.

Despite having the minor share of possession and opportunities, Spartak took their chances admirably to garner three more valuable points.

However, the visitors will rue their lack of finishing power, and curse the goal line clearances made by Spartak defenders to deny them on several occasions. Spartak lived dangerously early on, but were lifted by a well taken Jeff Gamble goal. Collecting the ball from Jimmy Dawson, he shrugged off a defender before taking the chance early from 25 yards. An unmarked Dublin Airport player equalised and almost immediately added number two. Spartak were now under siege and defensive laxity allowed the visitors chances to extend their lead, as they grew in confidence. Occasional breakaways led by Ger Byrne and Jeff Gamble were the only respite. Against the run of play, however, Cian Stenson took advantage of a defensive error to equalise with a calmly taken finish just before the break.

Spartak settled well after the break and Stuart Love headed just over from Tom O’Driscoll’s corner kick. The lead goal came on the hour mark; an incisive Cian Stenson pass, some good work by Ger Byrne and then Tom O’Driscoll, hitherto quiet, shot powerfully home from the edge of the box for a belated first goal of the season.

DAA then missed an easy chance after Kevin Loftus raced out to head the ball clear, but got no distance. An even easier chance was foiled after Ian Harmon and Kevin Loftus were rounded, but Billy O’Neill somehow got back to clear off the line.

Spartak put the cream on the cake when Tom O’Driscoll released Cian Stenson on the right, and his cross was met with a fine Gamble header to seal the win. Jeff Gamble then had a credible penalty claim denied near the end.

Not the greatest performance, but four fine goals to remember.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 6 Cian Stenson 8 Billy O’Neill 6 Ian Harmon 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Conor Brady 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Jimmy Dawson 7 Ger Byrne 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6
Sub: Dave O’Kelly 6