Spartak Dynamo FC

St Kevin’s 2 SDFC 4

Spartak over 35’s made the journey to South Wicklow on Saturday and came away with the 3 points after a tough encounter on a difficult pitch.

The Spartak side were slow to settle and produced a very flat performance for the first 30 minutes. The home side were sharper to the ball and created two early chances when cross field balls allowed their left winger in behind the Spartak defensive line but fortunately he failed to capitalise on both occasions.

The home side opened the scoring after 20 minutes when their striker was gifted a free header from a corner to easily place the ball past Jimmy Browne. With the visiting midfield struggling to assert any authority on the game, there was little threat coming from Spartak and the score remained 1-0 to St Kevin’s at the break.

On the resumption, there was much more urgency and competitiveness in Spartak’s play with the defensive and midfield lines gradually getting on top.  A deserved equaliser arrived courtesy of Paddy Hughes from a free kick that was awarded by the local ref for the keeper handling the ball outside his area. Midway through the second half a neat passing move involving several Spartak players culminated with Ken Byrne stretching forward to tap home an excellent cross from Brendan Mooney to make the score 2-1.

With 20 minutes to go St Kevin’s were awarded a penalty following a foul by Brendan Mooney.  To the relief of the visitors the kick was sent wide and the game completely changed.  Literally a few minutes later a long punt by Jimmy Browne was misjudged by the home defence and Paddy Hughes raced clear to finish his second and Spartak’s third goal. Rory Campbell then finished well to make it 4-1.

There was still time for Spartak to have a few lapses in concentration resulting in one goal scored and two goal scoring opportunities missed for the opposition.

Overall, it was far from a vintage performance by the visiting Spartak team but a competitive effort particularly in the second half was just about enough to bring home the three points.

The Spartak squad was: Jimmy Browne, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Ken Byrne, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Shay McClafferty, Mark Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Rory Campbell, Brendan Mooney, Leon David, Tom Maher.

Spartak 3 Pioneers 2

A late revival by the visitors gave Spartak a nervous final quarter. Having been cruising at three up, Spartak’s concentration dropped disastrously as some players prematurely relaxed.

Before the late collapse, a few players had played really well. Stuart Love had a wonderful first half, combining well with Ger Byrne and Neil McGowan to give Spartak an attacking threat. As usual Stewie was full of running and he made some fine tackles, made a goal for Graham Breen as well as scoring. Stewie also missed a glorious chance when Breener returned the compliment. Like a few other players , he became a shadow of his former self as the second half progressed. Keith Kelly and Tom O’Driscoll were others to have a really good opening half.

Pioneers lost their influential captain very early on as they settled in possession without penetrating the Spartak back line and the Sky Blues duly took the lead on ten minutes when a Steve Grier throw was flicked on brilliantly by Breen for Love to nod home from close in.

The visiting keeper made good saves from Tom O’Driscoll and gathered Glen Burke’s attempted cross (after Glen’s strong run).

Spartak’s second arrived when Stu nodded back Tom O’Driscoll’s corner for Breen to force home. The best move came when Neil released Ger and his cross was nodded down to Love, who was slow to pull the trigger and allowed the keeper to block; McGowan blazed the loose ball over.

Pioneers had their own chances when the striker hit a fresh air shot when close in and then whizzed an effort just past the angle following loose marking at a corner by the home side.

At the start of the second half there were ominous signs that Spartak had dropped concentration. Burke was caught in possession, Will OConell had to track back to prevent a breakthrough and Peter OToole made a fine save to spare Steve Grier’s blushes after he lost possession in the penalty area. Steve and Keith Kelly were backing off the play, sitting too deep and creating space for Pioneers between Spartak’s defence and midfield.

On 54 minutes Steve Grier nodded hme at the back post from Tom’ODriscoll’s expert corner kick to give the home side a three goal cushion. Little did anyone know at the time it was the winning goal!
Stu hen played Steve in and when he squared Ger Byrne struck the bar from 3 yards – Ger was relieved to be given offside.

As Pioneers tried to force their way back, Glen made a great saving tackle; but a good shot reduced arrears as Spartak backed off. Then a looping effort hit the top of the bar as Peter struggled to readjust in the sticky conditions. A bad lapse of concentration by Glen Burke, another who started brightly and faded, allowed Pioneers to get the equaliser and then it was game on with 11 minutes to play.

Spartak then had to regain some measure of concentration and also
started winning a few tackles and headers, with subs Seamus McCahill battling well while Tom Flanagan used possession tidily.

An unnecessarily stressful close to a match in which Spartak’s dead ball expertise had placed them in a comfortable position.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 6 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 6 Keith Kelly 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Will O’Connell 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Seamus McCahill 6 Tom Flanagan 6 Dave Browne Paul Kinsella

Spartak 2 Leicester 4

A disappointing and disjointed first half laid the foundations for this defeat. A second half revival could not yield enough to get a share of the points.

In sticky conditions a number of players did not play to their potential. Robbie Hayes had a shaky return to action after injury; Neill Bolger lacked his usual energy; Mick Greene and Niall Hanratty looked short of sharpness; Chris Hogan was unable to reproduce the form of the Ita’s match.

Most of all the passing, so much in evidence last week, was replaced by a desire to launch the ball in the general direction of the opposition goal, when a more considered approach paid off so handsomely in the previous match.

The Leicester defence were able to move the ball through to midfield all too easily, with both Hanratty and Seamus McCahill losing the midfield battle in the first half. Leicester took the lead when Robbie Hayes came for a corner kick but only succeeded in knocking the ball into the path of a grateful visiting player who scored.
Neill Bolger had two chances to get the Sky Blues back in the game but in the first instance was caught for pace when clear and then from Mick Costello’s header on he could only flick into the keeper’s hands.

Niall Hanratty had a perfectly good goal ruled out by the eccentric ref when he finished neatly after a one two. Some consolation arrived when a Leicester player, clearly onside, was called back. On 41 minutes Spartak were exposed on the left side and the cross was finshed. 0-2.

The second half had only started when a good run and cross by Derek McGoldrick led to Mick Costello scoring. But Leicester restored their two goal lead almost straight away when a 20 yard shot eluded Hayes after some sloppy defensive cover.

Spartak then had a series of chances to take control of the match, in their best 20 minute period of the game as Graham McEnroe had a good spell in the middle of the park. Arrears were reduced when a superb interception by Dave Browne allowed Hanratty to cross. Harassed by McCahill, the keeper lost possession and McCahill had time to look up before crossing for Ross Kelly to nod home.
A chance for an equaliser beckoned; Hanratty had two great opportnities, once when through on the right he shot tamely at the keeper; and then volleyed over from 8 yards when unmarked.

Derek McGoldrick was through twice but on each occasion he took the ball too wide before crossing to the keeper’s grateful gloves.

Leicester weathered the storm and Spartak were relying on long balls with players pushing forward and abandoning the midfield area.
A last minute assault on goal by Spartak was halted by a poor Browne cross and Leicester broke to beat Greene for pace and slot past Hayes for number four.

Form Report
Hayes 4 Browne 6 Greene 5 Costello 6 Clancy 6 Hanratty 5 McCahill 6 Hogan 5 McGoldrick 5 N Bolger 5 Mick Costello 6
Subs: McEnroe 7 R Kelly 6 R Burke 5 D Burke McInerney Northey

Please post your team for LMS week 2. This weeks automatic pick is Chelsea. Full fixtures are available on the Last Man tab above.

SDFC 4 Rathcoole 1

After dethroning the champions Greenhills in the previous round Spartak received what could be perceived as a favourable draw in getting a home fixture against a team (albeit the leaders) from our own division. This match was played due to the goodwill of Wayside Celtic in their home ground after Marlay was declared unplayable.

Facing wet and blustery conditions, Spartak started very well and scored after 10 minutes with a well taken shot on the turn from Paddy Hughes.  The home side continued to pile on the pressure but could not add to the tally with Ken Byrne, Liam Cullen and Matt Grimes all having having half chances.  Rathcoole did come more into the game as the half wore on and it needed a very good save from Jimmy Browne low to his left to ensure that the home side went into the break one up.

The second half started with Rathcoole upping the tempo and with some neat passing they pressed the Spartak midfield back into defensive duty. They deservedly got back on level terms when a ball down the right caused some confusion that allowed the right winger to nip in ahead of the defensive cover and Jimmy Browne to slot home a decent goal.

With their tails up, the away side went looking for a lead goal and it required resolute defending from the back four of Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath and Gerry Doran to keep the scores level. Having weathered the storm, the Spartak midfield trio of Stafford, McNamee and Grimes began to get on top again and mid way through the second half Paddy Hughes latched on to a through ball from Brendan Mooney to calmly slot his and Spartak’s second goal.

Spartak finished the remainder of the game very strong, Rory Campbell worked hard to create a goal scoring opportunity for the overlapping Ken Byrne from which he made no mistake. Shay McClafferty then set up Frank McNamee who dragged his shot badly wide but almost on full time McNamee did hit the target to score Spartak’s fourth goal and put some gloss on what was actually a hard earned victory.

A good performance with the home side showing the benefit of a sustained effort at training. The cup run continues but the big guns lie in wait.

SDFC squad was: Jimmy Browne, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath, Gerry Doran, Brian Stafford, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Ken Byrne, Liam Cullen, Paddy Hughes, Brendan Mooney, Rory Campbell, Shay McClafferty. Subs not used – Leon David, Mark Byrne.

St Itas 0, Spartak 6

A scintillating first half performance overwhelmed the locals with top notch passing and impressive finishing.

The big pitch suited Spartak and the Sky Blues took full advantage of the space by completely outplaying the locals from the off.

Spartak did not have long to wait for the opener when Keith Kelly played Dermot Dooley in and when his initial effort was blocked he charged down the rebound and forced it over the line.

Spartak were moving the ball swiftly from player to player and any possession lost was quickly recovered, particularly by Dermot Dooley and Keith Kelly in midfield. Chris Hogan on the right, who had a poor game the previous week and was only selected in Ryan Burke’s absence, turned in his best ever display in a sky blue shirt, composed on the ball and neat in his passing.

Mick Greene robbed an Itas defender on the byline, and when he moved the ball to Mick Costello and he crossed to Dermot Dooley, the latter’s shot rebounded off the post for Neil Bolger to gleefully drive in from close range.

The best move of the match involved many passes and was rounded off when Neill Bolger’s cross was headed in by Derek McGoldrick. McGoldrick then played Mick Costello through to finish in style.

The fifth, just after the break was set up by Mcik Costello for Dooley to fire home from the edge of the box.

Late on the substitutes got in on the action when a good run and accurate cross by Jose Vargas allowed Niall Lennon to shoot home for his first of the season.

Itas never gave up and apart from one bad tackle never resorted to tactics used by some teams when taking a beating. They had a few opportunities, but good defensive work by Martin Costello, Peter O’Toole and Dave O’Kelly snuffed out the danger as Itas strove to gain some consolation. Peter O’Toole was swiftly out to act as sweeper when Martin made a rare error.

A performance to savour – and to build on.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Mick Greene 7 Martin Costello 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Keith Kelly 8 Dermot Dooley 9 Chris Hogan 8 Derek McGoldrick 8 Neill Bolger 7 Mick Costello 8
Subs: Niall Lennon 6 Jose Vargas 6 Mark Bolger 5 Mick Cooney

Last Man Standing is re-starting next week. Entry to the game is €10 to be paid ASAP. All payments must be made by week 3 or you will automatically eliminated. For the first 3 weeks there will be an automatic pick given, if you do not provide a team. This weeks automatic pick will be Manchester United. Please post your team below otherwise you will be given Manchester United. As long as your team keeps winning you will be entered into next weeks draw. Like the last round everyone gets 2 chances. 1st prize will be 50% of the pot. This weeks fixtures are posted on the Last Man tab above.

Spartak 3, Liffey Valley 0

Spartak recorded a good win at the cost of injuries to Graham Breen and Steve Grier who were both vistims of fouls which attracted yellow cards. In Steve’s case a stricter ref might have reached for a red.

Liffey had their best chances before Spartak’s opener. Fintan’s clearing header under pressure flew wide of the post and Peter O’Toole made a fine stop in a one on one. Earlier Ger Byrne had forced the keeper into a save after good approach work by Will O’ Connell and Glen Burke. Neil McGowan’s free following the foul on Steve was tipped over by the keeper.
Spartak persisted with good passing from Burke, Love, McGowan and O’Driscoll and created some decent moves.
The breakthrough came on 35 minutes when a corner was cleared as far as Keith Kelly, who drove a great first time shot from 25 yards off the butt of the upright. Will O’Connell applied the finishing touch.

On 40 minutes Tom O’Driscoll released Ger Byrne with a tremendous pass and Ger rifled the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner. 2-0.

The job was complete in the second minute of the second half when Ger and Graham combined beautifully to release Ger down the wing. His cross was tucked home under the keeper by a grateful Breener!

That completed the scoring but the game did not lack for attacking incidents. and featured a few good efforts – both Tom and Ger hit the woodwork (as did Liffey, who never gave up) and Graham Breen was guilty of a bad miss as Liffey appealed for offside.
Substitute Dillon Burke had a great opportunity to lay on a goal fro Niall Tilley or Ger on the break but crossed to close too the keeper.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Fintan Grace 7 Steve Grier 7 Keith Kelly 8 Will O Connell 7 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Stuart Love 7 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 8.
Subs Niall Tilley 5 Dillon Burke 5

Spartak 1 Tymon 0

It wasn’t a vintage performance by the home side but Derek McGoldrick’s strike was enough to bag the points in a game of few chances. First half efforts were restricted to a Mick Costello header tipped over by the keeper and a couple of tame efforts by Ross Kelly. Dave O’Kelly just failed to make contact with the ball when making a good run onto Mick Greene’s free.

Tymon struck a thunderous effort off the underside of the bar and when Chris Hogan lost his man he was relieved to see the shot go wide. Garret Quigley took off a couple of decent stops.

In the first period Spartak generally lacked cohesion and the pass completion rate hit a low as the midfield struggled, but the tempo picked up somewhat after the break.
Tymon were foiled by good defending by Martin Costello and Garrett’s save when Spartak over commiteed to a long free.
A super header back across goal by Cathal Clancy fell for Ross and Mick but they could not take advantage. Derek McGoldrick forced a save from the keeper and then on 72 minutes ran on to a Mick Costello flick to keep his composure under pressure and drive home via the crossbar.

Spartak had an extraordinary escape when Garrett misjudged the ball only for the Tymon No 9 to inadvertently clear the ball off the Spartak goal line.

Mick Greene, beaten by the number 7, was rescued by a great recovery tackle by Dave O’Kelly, who was strong in the air throughout.

Spartak had a chance to make it safe when Neill Bolger crossed for Ryan Burke but his shot was stopped short of the line by the full back.
Martin Costello then incurred a yellow card with an all too blatant foul much to the displeasure of the visitors, who began a schemozzle with their line invading the pitch in the last minute. The ref decided to blow for time.

Form Report
Garett Quigley 6 Dave O’Kelly 7 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Neill Bolger 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Chris Hogan 5 Derek McGoldrick 7 Ross Kelly 6 Mick Costello 6.
Subs : Niall Hanratty 5 Niall Lennon 5 Ryan Burke 5 Dillon Burke Kevin Mannion Jose Vargas