Spartak Dynamo FC

30.8.15
Benbulbin United 2, Spartak 5

Spartak began this game in jittery fashion; passes went astray, touches were poor, tackles were missed, 50/50 balls were poorly contested. In contrast the home side swept the ball around almost as they pleased, without creating too many clear chances.

A free conceded by Paul Kinsella saw Benbulbin hit the top of the crossbar. Then a big chance fell to a locals but the shot was easily stopped by Jason Northey.

On 15 minutes, against the run of play, the Sky Blues fashioned a lightning break. Dave Kernan and Steve Walsh exchanged passes before Kernan’s cross was bravely met first time by Ger Byrne to open the scoring at the near post. The lead did not last long, and possession was conceded and followed by poor defending to allow the equaliser.

As half time approached, Spartak began to settle, and scored twice. Steve Grier’s header sent Ger Byrne clear and he took advantage of the keeper’s error to slot in. Steve Walsh then embarked on a coruscating run, beating several players before squaring to Dave Kernan, who was unceremoniously upended. Steve Walsh slotted home the spot kick.

Again a lapse of defensive concentration allowed the home side to score in the 6th minute of first half injury time, after a free kick had been harshly awarded against Steve Grier.

Steve Walsh might have added another early in the second period but his touch was heavy when through on goal. Jason Northey’s poor throw gave the home side a chance but the shot was weak and easily saved.

The home side had a burst of pressure and Spartak had to scramble a few clearances, including one off the line, before an Alan Farrington shot from Steve Walsh’s pass made it 4-2. Dave Kernan came close to adding another after Alan Farrington’s effort was blocked.

Benbulbin continued to press, pushing men forward, and Jason Northey fumbled a free kick around the post for a corner.

Spartak added number 5 on 81 minutes in a fine move involving Martin Costello, Jeff Gamble and Steve Walsh which presented Steve Grier with a straightforward chance.

Not the finest performance overall, but good spirit shown together with some sharp finishing made it a satisfying opening to the season.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Martin Costello 8 Paul Kinsella 8 Karl McCullagh 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Alan Farrington 6 David Kernan 7 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 8 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Ken Buckley 6

29.8.15
Mid Sutton 2, Spartak 8

Spartak overcame an inexperienced Mid Sutton side with some ease in the end, having waited till the 33rd minute to open the scoring.

The Sky Blues began shakily enough, and an error and foul by Conor Canavan saw the locals awarded a free, which, luckily, came to nothing.

With Niall Hanratty dominating the middle of the park, Spartak created many openings in the first half hour, but invariably chose the wrong option. When a team has a period of domination without punishing the opposition, there is always the concern that missing those chances will return to haunt them, and the locals had a good opportunity during this period, but fired over.

So it was that when Conor Callis’ deflected shot beat the keeper for the opener, it was greeted with relief in the Sky Blue ranks.

Chris Hogan blasted a chance high and wide after a good move before Jeff Gamble fired in via the crossbar for number two, and just on half time Conor Callis slalomed past a number of defenders before driving in a third goal.

Any thoughts of a second half home revival were quashed just 2 minutes after the restart, when Callis claimed his hattrick from Gamble’s pass. Then a great Mick Costello cross was scrambled clear only as far as Hogan who crossed for Ciaran Bermingham to neatly head home and open his account for Spartak.

A lapse of concentration by Mick Leslie saw the home side reduce arrears, and late on Niall Hanratty took some of the gloss off a battling performance with a drilled own goal.

But Spartak added three more; Fintan Grace marked his return from a year long injury absence by converting a penalty after Jeff Gable was fouled; Conor Callis added his fourth; and sub Stephen Bermingham neatly chipped in number 8.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 7 Steve Browne 8 Fintan Grace 8 Mick Greene 6 Niall Hanratty 8 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Bermingham 7 Conor Callis 9
Subs: Mick Costello 7 Stephen Bermingham 6 Bobby Hayes 6

16.8.15
Newlands Celtic 1, Spartak 2

A bumpy surface in Corkagh Park did little to make it easy to play good football, but a decent display by Spartak’s back four – apart from one lapse – laid the foundation for what was a more comfortable win than the scoreline suggests.

Alan Farrington, who had earlier missed a straightforward chance, converted a penalty after Dave Kernan’s surging run was stopped by a foul. Steve Browne scrambled a second before missing an easier chance to put the game to bed.

Some poor defending at a set piece saw the locals reduce arrears, but Spartak played the game out comfortably.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 8 Dave Browne 7 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Stuart Love 6 Alan Farrington 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Ken Buckley 6 Conor Canavan 5 Steve Walsh 6 Steve Browne 6 Kevin Loftus 5

15.8.15
Arthur Griffith Park 3, Spartak 4.

On a poor surface in Lucan Spartak trailed 1-3 with just 18 minutes left in this pre season friendly. In truth the home side had looked more likely to add to their lead, but a late and spirited response saw Spartak win out.

A Bermingham/Callis/Gamble move sent Mick Leslie through to reduce arrears, and a fine Steve Browne through pass released Jeff Gamble who equalised. Mick Leslie then missed a good chance before scoring the winner, and completing his hat trick, when the ball broke to him in the box following Ciaran O’Brien’s interception.

Ciaran Bermingham had sent Mick Leslie through in the first half to give Spartak the lead, before AGP raced ahead, thanks in no small measure to poor defending.

A useful work out, but the result should not be allowed to paper over some below par performances.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 6 Steve Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Mick Costello 5 Edo Maino 5 Conor Callis 6 Mick Leslie 8 Ciaran Bermingham 7 Ciaran O’Brien 6 Ciaran Keane 4 Jeff Gamble 7

13.8.15
Celtic Park 1, Spartak 3

A desultory performance on a warm summer’s evening in Beaumont, which saw Spartak do just enough to win, building up a decent 3-0 adavantage before fading badly in the final 20 minutes as the heat and lack of fitness told.

An adroit finish by Ciaran Bermingham topped off a neat Love/Leslie/Kernan move to give Spartak a half time lead. Steve Grier’s snapshot made it two, and a McGowan/Kernan move saw the latter’s fine cross converted at close range by Martin Costello.

A small step towards match fitness.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Kevin Loftus 5 Dave Kernan 7 Ciaran Bermingham 6 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Grier 6 Ciaran Keane 5

VEC – Willie Kissane Memorial tournament
8.8.15
Spartak 0, CYM 1
Spartak 0, VEC 2
Spartak 0, Leicester Celtic 0
Spartak 0, Sandford Ath 0

Missed chances were the order of the day as Spartak failed to score in all 3 30 minute games. Alan Farrington will rue firing wide of an empty goal against finalists Leicester Celtic in the pivotal game , while Conor Canavan blazed over from four yards against Sandford.

A tough workout , which should improve fitness and match sharpness.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Dave Kernan 6 Mick Leslie 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Martin Costello 7 Stuart Love 8 Glen Burke 5 Alan Farrington 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Browne 5 Ciaran O’Brien 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Canavan 5 Ken Buckley 5

Following a hard fought series of games a Rory Campbell managed team won the final against James Byrne’s squad, who progressed well in earlier rounds.

The qualifying groups were hard fought with just a single goal between trophy semi final qualification and elimination from both cup and shield.

Greystones second string ran out Shield winners in the secondary competition, making it a double celebration fro the visitors.

Well done to all participants.

On Sunday 26th July, at the Postal Club in Kiltipper, the second annual Dave Mohan Memorial tournament takes place.

Last year saw 16 teams take part and the day was a big success, enjoyed by all.

Another fine day’s football in prospect.

The season just past saw some notable achievements.

In goalscoring, two players exceeded the 30 goal mark for the first time in the club’s history, with Jeff Gamble (38) and Steve Walsh (31) achieving this landmark. Previously, only John McCluskey, Martin McGorian, and Tony Little (6 times!) have reached the 30 goal mark.

Tom Maher made his 800th appearance, while Dave Browne finished on 199, so is next up for the 200 club.

Mick Leslie (36) Jeff Gamble (33) and Ciaran Keane (31) made the most appearances in a season which saw 93 players turn out in the club colours.

The Sunday team notched 98 goals in total in a double winning season.

For the over 35s, Padraig Finnerty made the most appearances (19) while James Byrne, with 5 goals, was top scorer, with their 46 goals being spread around many players.

Mick Greene was the only player to turn out for all three sides, and added 4 goals to his total in the process.

At the presentation night on 23rd May, the following won the seasonal awards:

Sunday player of the Year – Karl McCullough

Saturday player of the Year – Jeff Gamble

Over 35s Player of the Year – Padraig Finnerty

Clubman of the Year – Mick Leslie

Tom Maher received an award making 800 appearance for the club.

Well done to all.