Spartak Dynamo FC

Fettercairn 6 , Spartak 2

A facile win for the home side, who won very much as they liked against a Spartak side who put up very little resistance.

Spartak failed to get out of the blocks and were soon behind, when Burke gave away possession in a deep position and the home side, with a telling pass, cross and finish, went one up. The second goal was scored on 20 minutes when the left winger rounded Kevin O Toole and Fintan Grace to drill home from an angle.   Goals numbers 3 and 4 came on 36 and 40 minutes. Burke seemed in control but allowed his opponent to spin and shoot home. A terrible mix up involving Tom O Driscoll and Peter O Toole epitomised the lack of communication evident throughout and allowed a home player to drift on to a long ball and score almost unnoposed. In truth, Fettercairn could have scored a few more. O Toole made a couple of good stops and some last ditch tackling averted danger on one or two occasions.

Spartak finally roused themselves and Flanagan and Cibirka created a chance for Breen, but he fluffed his one on one, gently shooting at the keeper.

In the second half, Spartak, although hampered by injuries, showed some degree of fight and got back a goal when Grier’s throw was flicked on by Breen and Cibirka finished at the back post. Burke then had a chance but shot too close to the keeper and his effort was tipped over. Any hopes of a revival were extinguished when Kowal was caught in possession and Fettercairn ran through  to score from a decidedly offside looking position. Spartak’s second followed approach work by Burke and Cibirka and Breen finished from close range. However an unwise back heel by Mahon in the penalty area opened up a close range opportunity which was taken for number 6.

Just on time Spartak were awarded a penalty when Kowal was pulled back. Cibirka’s shot was too close to the keeper and he blocked the effort.

A tame exit from the national cup competition.

P O Toole 5 K O Toole 4 Mahon 4 Grier 5 Grace 4 T Flanagan 5 McEnroe 5 Cibirka 5 Burke 4 Breen 5 O Driscoll 4

Subs R Flanagan 4 Kowal 5 . Sub not used McGowan

Sorry Graham but your prediction proved to be correct. Glen Burke came with a late rally to win the €50 for September by 2 points. A hugely impressive 101 points from Glen this week jumped him from 20th to first position, well done.   A big talking point here will surely be the other end of the table. What is going on here Paul? Has some imposter hacked your account and messed around?

Spartak 3 Ashbourne Utd 1

Spartak recorded their first league win at home on Saturday against a determined Ashbourne side. Although the first half was a pretty tight affair Spartak were slightly on top and did create a few openings. Barry Crowe, Ray Grady and Tom Maher all had half chances but failed to break the deadlock.

The game opened up in the second half with both teams tiring somewhat. Spartak opened the scoring early in the half when a neat passing move resulted in a tap in for Mark Byrne.  Despite loud protests for offside by the opposition, the goal stood.  A few minutes later a harmless cross bounced awkwardly and struck Dave Mohan on the arm resulting in the referee awarding a harsh penalty which was converted.  Spartak pressed for a winner and were rewarded when Barry Crowe scored with a good finish.  The points were made secure in the 90th minute when a free kick from Barry Crowe deflected off Tom Maher to make it 3-1. Just reward for Tom having hit the post with an excellent header earlier in the half.

An unfortunate hand injury to Jimmy Browne early in the game was the only downside in what was a very good performance all round. Greg Callan deputised to good effect between the sticks.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne , Tom Maher, Dave Mohan, Leon David, Greg Callan, Ken Byrne, Gavin McLaughlan, Brian Stafford, Stephen Carr, Frank McNamee, Ray Grady, Paul Burke, Mark Byrne, Aaron Doran.

Tough times out there but if anyone knows of a company willing to sponsor a new set of gear please let us know. €500 will cover it including sponsor name/logo on jersies. We also need polo shirts and bags so any interest welcome.

 
With one week left to play the league table is looking interesting with Graham Breen still favourite to pocket the €50. The points difference though is very close and a good week could in theory deliver the prize to any one of the top 15.

Mick Green would appear to be home and dry on the Know the score game but with a potential 250 points to play for each weekend, the final round of games could yet have a surpise in store.

For all players, be sure you are up-to-date on subs and have at least half of annuals paid to be eligible to claim the prize. Check the Players 09-10 page for current status.

On Saturday the match fell through because of lack of referee and general disorganisation by the home side , EID.   Whereas organisationally they are poor, the team consists entirely of Brazilian players in Dublin who are learning English, and in the ensuing friendly, which they won 4-0, the expected Brazilian mix of skill and muscle met little resistance from the Spartak team, particularly in the first half.

Spartak lost Martin Costello to injury early on, and Cathal Clancy, fresh off the plane from Spain, gave an energetic and robust performance and was our best player on the day. Neill Bolger’s control let him down when a rare half chance was created following a good move, and overall  in the first half the home team dominated and built a 3-0 lead. The first goal was conceded from a unmarked header following a free . Spartak defended deeper in the second period and looked more compact as a result. A soft fourth goal was conceded when two block tackles were missed. David Agnew struck the bar when well placed and Mick Greene’s cross had the home team in all sorts of trouble.

Mick Costello – one good save on a one on one, no chance for other goals except maybe the first, where reaction to header seemed slow.

Niall Hanratty – given  a torrid time in the first half , stuck well to his task but fitness is an issue.

Rob Deering – composed on the ball, but positionally weak in terms of linking with rest of back four, and exposed the defence for the third goal by keeping the opposition onside.

Martin Costello – injured early on, a big blow as Martin has been in good form.

Cathal Clancy – solid performance and showed plenty of pace and fight.

Mark Bolger – settled down after a ropy start where he dived in and got caught a few times.

Colm O’Sullivan  – needs match fitness , never got to the pace of the game. Plenty of effort but little reward,

Chris Hogan – after a good game last week, concentration levels were well down. Marking and tackling not at same level as previous week.

Shane McInerney – battled hard, kept good shape in second half, but passing astray particularly first half.

Tom O’Driscoll – Not in the game till moved to centre, where he showed composure in passing.

Neill Bolger – usual bustling mix of aggressive play, but searching for form on the ball. 

Steve Browne – frustrated by lack of supply, and sometimes tried to go on his own. Always looking for ball over the top, he needs to work deeper and build moves. 

Mick Greene – a good moment when moving forward, but fitness and sharpness are behind schedule at this stage of the season after return from injury.

Alan Cummins – plenty of chasing around but too often static when receiving the ball, and too easily dispossessed 

David Agnew – touch and control letting him down. A good moment when getting forward to hit the bar, and an emergency stint at right back.

Hafid Mouhad –  tried to get passing going but made little impression going forward and neglected defensive duties.

Queen’s Park 1, Spartak 2.

Two fine headed goals won the day for Spartak, who recovered from going a goal down to win.

Following the poor display the previous week, Spartak showed seven changes to the starting line up, with only Browne, Cibirka, Grier and Grace retained.

Spartak started well and a number of gilt edged chances were created with Breen missing out on a couple of one on ones and then Doyle sidefooted straight at the keeper from a good position. The promptings of Flanagan, McGowan and Cibirka were creating openings aplenty and the home goal seemed to be leading a charmed life. Then, against the run of play, the home side went ahead on 42 minutes after a mix up between Browne and Bolger.

The response was impressive  and resulted in the best move of the match just before the break with McGowan turning well in midfield before feeding Cibirka who played in Flanagan and his fine left footed cross was powerfully headed home by Breen.

The fine approach play continued throughout the second half. The only reward came on 50 minutes when Browne’s throw in was flicked on by Breen and Cibirka, stealing in,  placed his header beyond the keeper for the winning goal.

A number of chances were created and either spurned or narrowly missed by Thomson, Breen, Cibirka and O’Connell and Spartak almost paid the price for not getting the insurance goal when an overhead effort from the home side just cleared the bar with minutes remaining.

A valuable win secured in Brickfields and a reduced goals against count, albeit that we remain the second worst team in the league in terms of goals conceded.

Mark Bolger 6 Dave Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 7 Tom Flanagan 7 Neil McGowan 8 Gintaras Cibirka 8 Anthony Doyle 6 Graham Breen 7 Tom O’Driscoll6.

Subs – Dave Thomson 6 Dan O connell 6 Stuart Love 6 Jason Northey Rob Flanagan not used; Steve Browne no show.

   ……Click on the picture to see a larger image…..From London May 2009.

Saturday team at home to Manor Town 2.30pm

Sunday Team are away to Fetercairn in the Leinster Junior Cup

Over 35’s are at home to Ashbourne

Don’t forget to do the Fantasy Football and Know the score games this weekend. At the moment Graham Breen is favourite for the €50 in the fantasy football league with a very impressive score last weekend.  Surely that can’t be Paul McGowan hovering just above the relegation zone?

Barry Maguire is out in front in the know your score league for the month, closely followed by Mick Green.

Interesting that the same individual is bringing up the rear in both leagues. A record breaking -80 in the KTS league would have been hard to beat last weekend. Keep playing for as long as you can Shane.

2 rounds of games left, all to play for.