Spartak Dynamo FC

11.4.13
Broadford 0, Spartak 1

On a rain soaked pitch, which was in excellent condition, Spartak made the most of limited possession to gain all three points.

A great goal on 17 minutes was the difference between the teams when Stephen Barr headed home a Sean Doyle free.

Broadford enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but the Spartak defence were resolute throughout with Jason Northey in solid form behind them.

The home side had the most of the chances but good defensive work meant they were not clear cut opportunities.

Sean Doyle and Martin Costello might have added a goal in the second period in rare attacks. But honours to a defence which did a fine job.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Fintan Grace 7 Sean Doyle 8 Stephen Barr 8 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 5 Conor Callis 5 Mick Costello 6 Paul Byrne 6 Martin Costello 6
Subs Steve O’Hara 6 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Jeff Gamble 6

8.4.13
Spartak 2, AIB 1

Desire and self belief were the key characteristics of this win over a team close to the top of the table in the first of the midweek games.

In April, the swallows return, daffodils bloom and Niall Lennon comes out of winter hibernation to make his first start since 6th October!

For a long time Spartak looked as if they would get nothing from this game after AIB scored from a corner on 20 minutes. Jeff Gamble had a chance but could not capitalise after good work from Paul Byrne. Stephen Barr made a fine saving tackle at the other end and Jason Northey saved following a free to keep the deficit at one at the interval.

AIB smacked one off the bar to give notice of their promotion intentions and then Mick Costello had a good run but his cross was lacking. Then Mick headed wide from a good position after approach play by Chris Hogan and Paul Byrne. As Spartak came more into he game Steve O’Hara fired over after a golamouth scramble.

An error in the AIB defence let Stephen Barr in for the equaliser on 77 minutes and then to Sky Blue joy Byrne and Barr combined to allow Martin Costello to drill home on 86 minutes.

A fine victory fuelled by a will to win spirit.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Chris Hogan 7 Steve O’Hara 7 Sean Doyle 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Stephen Barr 7 Jeff Gamble 5 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Costello 5 Paul Byrne 6 Martin Costello 6
subs : Conor Callis 6 Dermot Dooley 5 Joe Roe Shane McInerney Fintan Grace

The Sky Blues will be led out on Friday 24th May by captain Fintan Grace for a final against long time competition favourites Crumlin United under 19s, who have cruised through their league and this competition (so far). Despite their youth , Crumlin present formidable opposition.

The game is a 7.30 kick off in John Hyland Park Baldonnel, home of St Francis FC. Looks like being a gala occasion at a fine ground.

Directions:
From M50 take Red Cow exit and proceed past Newlands Cross
Take exit 2 for Baldonnel, turn right over the bridge at the top of the ramp
Straight through the first roundabout, take a left at the second roundabout, and John Hyland Park is 300 yards on the left.

7.4.13
Jobstown 2 Spartak 1

Basic defensive errors proved the undoing of the Sky Blues in this fixture. Having taken the lead when Derek Ruxton’s shot went in with the aid of a deflection after good work by Conor Maguire, and Stephen Walsh lobbing over when he looked odds on to score, the good work was undone by poor defensive organisation.

Keith Kelly fired in a free which Seamus McCahill had gone forward; the other defenders, Dave Browne and Aodhan McCahill had the job of covering one forward. Keith’s free was cleared and Aodhan’s attempted header only improved the position for the Jobstown striker who ran fifty yards, easily outpacing Dave Browne, to clip neatly over the advancing Jason Northey; earlier Jason had saved well when Dave Browne missed his clearance and Jason had to be on his toes as his back four were sloppy at times.

Jobstown enjoyed plenty of possession but clear chances were few and far between.

The winning goal arrived from a corner when Lee Malone’s man evaded him to power in a header.

A last minute corner by Alan Farrington was touched on to the bar by the home keeper and Neil McGowan was unable to apply the finishing touch from an acute angle.

There were positives from the game in the continuing return from injury of Thom and Keith; but a workmanlike performance was spoiled by basic, and very avoidable, defensive errors.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Keith Kelly 6 Aodhan McCahill 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Dave Browne 4 Derek Ruxton 5 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Alan Farrington 5 Conor Maguire 6 Stephen Walsh 5
Thom O’Driscoll 5 Lee Malone 5

6.4.13
Leinster Shield Quarter Final
Spartak 3, St Pats Ath u-19 2

Spartak began shakily and were quickly two goals down. Players seemed overawed by the occasion and forgot to perform the basics. Indeed a fluent St Pats could have been more than two ahead as they were creating all the running with the Sky Blues unable to intervene. The first half hour of this game was strewn with unforced errors by the men in Sky Blue who were taking all the wrong options.

The outlook seemed bleak for the home side until a magical burst of two goals in the 41st and 43rd minutes in what were Spartak’s first two attacks. Chris Hogan’s throw in gave Stephen Barr the option to play it back to him; instead Stephen made a dart for the bye line and pulled the ball back for Martin Costello to finish from close range. Just over a minute later Martin won the ball in mid field and prodded a through ball which Jeff Gable, hitherto very subdued, raced on to and coolly slotted past the advancing keeper.

This rocked the visitors and Spartak began the second half in something approaching form. Normal service was resumed with a great deal more concentration being brought to bear on the game. The winning goal arrived on the hour mark when Shane McInerney found Conor Callis on the left; Conor’s cross was deflected into the path of Jeff Gamble and Jeff’s left footed first time finish gave the keeper no chance and was worthy of winning the game.

The Spartak back four then found renewed confidence and battled to keep a wave of Pat’s attacks at bay. At the other end Stephen Barr might have scored with a headed effort .

Always a great result when coming back from two down to win.

Form Report
David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Sean Doyle 6 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 6 Dermot Dooley 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Martin Costello 7 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Anthony Doyle 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O Hara 5 Joe Roe Ross Kelly

21.4.13
Spartak 1 Blessington 2

The league leaders, in pole position for the title, met a Spartak side who gave them a fright in their quest for honours with a decent performance.

The visitors took the lead on 10 minutes and added number two from a free kick which deceived Jason Northey after 26 minutes.

Although Dave Browne had a header saved in between the goals, for a while it looked as if Bblessington would add considerably to their scoreline but , thanks to increased efforts by the Sky Blues, that did not happen.

Derek Ruxton fired over after a move involving Dave Browne and Conor Maguire.

In teh second half Blessington concentrated on protectin their two goal advantage, with Spartak having the better chances. Conor Maguire fired wide and then when Keith Kelly’s free was fumbled Derek Ruxton shot over.

On 66 minutes after a short free Coor Maguire’s effort came back off the post and Seamus McCahill knocked in to reduce arrears.

However Blessington dug in with the game becoming feisty and the Sky Blues could not find what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Form Report –
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Ken Buckley 6

Well known referee Jimmy Hollowed passed away suddenly this week. There will be a minute’s silence before all LSL games this weekend.

Jimmy was a character and a gentleman who regularly refereed Spartak matches, and was famous for talking his way through games.

He will be missed.

RIP.

Training Tues 2nd and Thurs 4th April in St Enda’s

Games v St Pats Ath U-19s – L J Shield Q.F – Sat in Marlay
v Jobstown Sun away
v AIB Monday – Marlay
v Beechwood – Tuesday – Marlay- now Tuesday 16th

Over 35s away to Fassaugh Sat and home to Terenure (Wed)

Reminder that the quiz takes place in Firhouse Community centre this Thursday 21st March.

Make up a team, or if you are Johnny No Mates we will find a team for you on the night!

The 2013 AGM takes place in the Eden on Wed 20th March at 9pm.

Agenda

– Minutes of 2012 AGM
– Chairman’s report
– Financial Report
– Elections
– Any Other Business

Members who paid annual subscriptions before 31/12/12 are eligible to attend and vote.

Any members who wish to submit amendments/motions may do so, in writing, to the Secretary not later than 3 days prior to the meeting.