Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak 5, Hillcrest 2

An old fashioned “proper” hat trick (3 consecutive goals with right foot, left foot and header) by Neil McGowan was the highlight of this game in which both sides were missing players. Spartak’s replacements filled the gap admirably with Will O’Connell completing 90 minutes for the first time this season.

Spartak dominated the early proceedings without producing the final cuting edge. Ger Byrne forced a good save from the keeper, Glen Burke had shots over and wide, and Graham Breen headed wide.

On 24 minutes a free for a foul on Glen produced the breakthrough when Neil McGowan’s free made it 1-0.

Hillcrest had their chances following errors by Glen and Keith Kelly and Neil made a good saving tackle after a free which he had conceded for talking.

On 39 minutes a deflected cross was met by Neil for a diving header to make it 2-0.

Nibbler, the most dangerous visiting forward, beat both Dave Browne and Fintan Grace but shot just wide.

Hillcrest reduced arrears right at the start of the second half when Will O Connell and Dave Browne were beaten down the Spartak left and Glen Burke could not clear the resultant cross at the far post.

Graham Breen volleyed over before Spartak added number three when his header was met first time by Neil for his hat trick.

Being Spartak , we could not resist giving away an goal from an attacking throw in. Dave Browne’s throw was short, defensive cover badly organised, and Spartak were once again (!) caught on the break. 3-2.

On 83 minutes nerves were calmed when Neil’s free was parried by the keeper to Ger Byrne who slotted home. Glen Burke scored number 5 with a long range deflected shot after a good move.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Dave Browne 6 Will O’Connell 7 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 8 Neil McGowan 9 Graham McEnroe 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Steve Grier 6 Niall Tilly 5 Dillon Burke 5 Derek McGoldrick Niall Hanratty

Whitechurch 1, Spartak 2

A battling Spartak side took all three points from the derby clash on Saturday. With Cathal Clancy suspended, Dave Browne stepped in and added a touch of composure to the Sky Blues defence. In midfield Dermot Dooley, and particularly Neill Bolger, were up for the battle and were instrumental in the solid overall performance.

Spartak went in front after 12 minutes when Dave O’Kelly’s cross cum shot floated over the keeper’s head. With their tails up, Spartak had two more chances in quick succession when Jose Vargas had a onoe on one opportunity saved and O’Kelly was just wide with a header.

On a narrow pitch there was plenty of defending to do from set pieces and throw ins and Whitechurch hit the bar with one effort.

Some of the Spartak players found it hard to maintain discipline and it was from a free kick awarded for talking out of turn that Whitechurch equalised. A simple free and header across the box found the Spartak defence in disarray and it was a simple tap in for the home forward on 51 minutes.

The response from the boys from Marlay was as effective as it was immediate. A great run and cross by Derek McGoldrick and Chis Hogan, aka Tubes, ghosted in at the near post to slot neatly home.

Spartak conceded a number of yellow cards mostly for inability to remain quiet as the game threatened to bubble over, and Mick Costello had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed. at teh other end Mick Greene made a couple of snappy saves to keep the lead.

A rare defeat for the home side and a satisfying perfomance from Spartak.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave O’Kelly 7 Martin Costello 6 Dave Browne 7 Neill Bolger 8 Dermot Dooley 7 Chris Hogan 6 Derek McGoldrick 7 Ross Kelly 6 Jose Vargas 5
Subs Mick Costello 6 Adam Doran 6 Ryan Burke 6 Mark Bolger Niall Lennon

No LMS this week as everyone was knocked out last week. We will restart in a week or 2

Saturday Team AWAY to White Church
Sunday Team HOME to Hillcrest
Over 35’s AWAY to Garden Co.

Spartak over 35’s knock the holders Greenhills afc out of the Clifford Cup.

Last Saturday Spartak over 35’s travelled away to Greenhills AFC in the 2nd round of the Clifford cup. Greenhills AFC having all the advantage of being at home and being in the top division in the Seniors Premier Division,two divisions ahead of Spartak were not expecting to be beaten. Drawing on the super performance from the previous week Spartak started with a game plan that saw a very defensive formation of 4-5-1.This worked wonders, which seen us first frustrate the opposition and then pounce with 17 mins to go in the 2nd half to go ahead with a well worked move from Shea Mcafferty and Frank McNamee which saw Frank burst from the middle and calmly slot past the keeper.There were some outstanding individual performances, which crowned Jimmy Brown man of the match for the second week running, Frank Mcnamee’s timeley runs from the middle and Paddy Hughes constant persistence and workman like performance up front. With 17 mins to go Greenhills suddenly came to life and began to throw everything at Spartak (even the kitchen sink) .Spartak showed true grit and defended to save their lives, which also resulted in a few break away chances.Spartak won out on the day 1-0 and the whole squad that were involved should be commended for there tremendous efforts as everyone played a part.

 Over 35’s Squad: Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath, Barry Crowe, Mark Byrne,Frank McNamee,Paul Burke, Matt Grimes,Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes,  Leon Davids and Shea Mcafferty, Rory Campbell.

 
Spartak 35’s 2 Garden County 0

Two weeks ago saw the over 35’s play at home against the league leaders at the time Garden County,which resulted in a 2-0 win for the home team.This was a super performance from the whole squad and a joy to watch from the sideline.From the very start there was some slick passing from the backs
to the middle and some exhausting work done up front.Overall a truly huge performance for the over 35’s which keeps us in touch in the league.Some great performaces on the day were noted, which resulted in Paul Burke scoring two top class goals, Jimmy Brown (Man of the match) making some top drawer saves, Brian Stafford bossing the midfield, and Paddy Hughes being a constant nuisance to their defence.The teams performance overall was outstanding.

Over 35’s Squad:

 Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul Mcgrath, Barry Crowe, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Brian Stafford, Paul Burke, Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Mark Byrne, Leon Davids, Brendan Mooney, Jason Doyle, Rory Campbell.

Iveagh Celtic 2, Spartak 4

Spartak began well and totally dominated the opening half with some fluent football. Breen and McEnroe were a handful for the home defence and good passes from the back and midfield gave the sky blues numerous opportunities.
Spartak were not flattered to be 2-0 up at the break; only the home keeper and some loose finishing prevented what would have been an unnassailable lead.
Graham Breen’s header from Keith Kelly’s corner put Spartak one up after 21 minutes; Stuart Love’s glancing header took advantage of good work by Kelly and Breen to make it two.
Seamus McCahill, Neil McGowan, Breen , McEnroe and Love all had other chances in the opening period, but could not add to the total.

As is often the case, Iveagh reduced arrears in the first minute of the second half with a lob from a suspiciously offside position. Glen Burke handled the ball as it crossed the line and the ref initially gave him a red card, which he rescinded on awarding the goal.

As Iveagh pressed forward, Peter O’Toole was called into action and made some smart saves. Seamus McCahill had a clear run on goal but shot wide; Graham Breen poked the ball past the advancing keeper but wide.
Spartak added number three when McEnroe intercepted a pass and crossed for Breen to bundle in; and number four came after a neat move by Kelly and McGowan put McCahill in for an impressively cool finish.
Iveagh did not give up and struck the post, scored to make it 2-4, and Glen Burke cleared off the line, and they blazed over after a slip by Dave Browne.
Good work by McEnroe put Martin Costello in for a clear chance to wrap things up but he opted for a gentle chip into the keepers hands.

A fine opening half and welcome three points.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Rob Mahon 7 Steve Grier 7 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 8 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Graham Breen 9 Stuart Love 7
Subs Dave Browne 6 Niall Tilly 6 Martin Costello 5 Dillon Burke

Spartak 0, Booth Road 4

In a game of few chances Spartak nonetheless managed to concede four goals, despite having the majority of the play.

Spartak lacked creativity with the wide men unable to deliver meaningful crosses and mdfielders failing to get beyond the front men. Up front Ross Kelly and Niall Lennon were restricted to shots from distance, one of which the keeper fumbled onto the post.
A snap shot put Booth ahead and Spartak responded when Dermot Dooley and Ross Kelly both headed against the crossbar but on 41 minutes Mick Greene was caught flat footed and the lob was enough to beat the advancing Gareth Quigley.
Niall Hanratty had a great opportunity to reduce arrears at the start of the second half but snatched at his shot and put it wide.
Dave O’Kelly had a free header from a corner which went wide; and later had a one on one effort saved.
Booth made it three following a corner and a fumble by Quigley and miskicj by Dermot Dooley. The fouth arrived courtesy of Cathal Clancy who obliged the forward by taking him down which resulted in a red card and penalty.

Booth finished; Spartak had some shots.

Form Report
Garrett Quigley 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Mick Greene 4 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Derek McGoldrick 4 Ross Kelly 5 Niall Lennon 5
Subs Ryan Burke 5 Jose Vargas 5 Chris Hogan 5 Neill Bolger Jaso Northey Damien O’Connell

Laytown 1, Spartak 0

A flat performance resulted in defeat when a rare Laytown attack paid dividends.
A strange game played in a high wind which regularly took the ball into some trees and bushes beside the pitch meant the ball was rarely in play.
Spartak lacked the nous and creativity to break down the home defence. Niall Hanratty had the best chance but shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

A disheartening performance.

Form Report
Gareth Quigley 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Derek McGoldrick 4 Dave O’Kelly 6 Rob Flanagan 4.
Subs : Kevin Mannion 5 Colm O’Sullivan 5 Niall Lennon 6 Dillon Burke Ryan Burke Jason Northey Jose Vargas

Please post your selection for Last Man Standing Week 4. This is the final week with an automatic pick. This weeks team is Blackpool. If you dont select a team you will get Blackpool. Also anyone not paid up by the weekend will be eliminated. Fixtures are on the Last Man tab above.

Saturday Team – HOME to Booth Road Celtic
Sunday Team – AWAY to Iveagh Celtic KICK OFF IS 2.30pm
Over 35’s – AWAY to Greenhills AFC in the cup.