Spartak Dynamo FC

21.10.12
St Pats SC 0, Spartak 2

The Sky Blues bagged all three points in a low key game in which they failed to press home territorial advantage against an under strength home side who had a number of players out through suspension.

While keeping a clean sheet the Sky blues defence did not cover themselves with glory and the home side had early chances; Alex Kenny headed clear close to the line while Spartak were frequently in trouble of their own making, often through careless or slow distribution.

Steve Grier almost gave Spartak the lead with a fine long range shot which thudded off the crossbar and Neil McGowan, following up, forced the keeper into a good save at the expense of a corner.

Dave Browne then nominated himself for a humanitarian award by halting a Spartak attack to get attention for a Pats forward. I can think of some venues where the action might not be reciprocated!

On 19 minutes a Steve Walsh free was dropped by the keeper and Graham McEnroe almost apologetically prodded home to give the Sky Blues the lead.

Meanwhile the defence continued as before with Niall Hanratty attempting a blind back pass and Dave Browne
conceding a dangerous free for dissent when play was in the other half. Jason Northey pawed away the free.

Spartak then might have scored but after an untidy scramble the ball was cleared.

The second period followed much the same pattern with Spartak failing to press home their advantage, with passing not up to scratch and a certain amount of over carrying the ball; and always at risk of an error at the back. A mix up between Alex and Jason conceded a corner; Steve Grier, who dominated the midfield aerial battles, headed a goalbound shot clear after more defensive mishaps.

Opportunities came to the Sky Blues mostly through the creativity shown by Steve Walsh. He laid on a shot fro Niall Hanratty who fired wide; and then from Steve’s free Graham McEnroe had an effort blocked. A Walsh combination with Conor Maguire put Seamus McCahill through for a good one on one opportunity but he could not find the required finish and the keeper saved. It was no surprise, albeit a big relief, that it was Steve Walsh who laid on the cross for Neil McGowan to nod the insurance goal on 78 minutes. Neil then moments later went on to miss from close range.

While the table will show us moving in the right direction, and three points and a clean sheet are always welcome, this was not one of Spartak’s brighter displays.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 6 Dave Browne 6 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Graham McEnroe 5 Conor Maguire 6 Steve Walsh 8
Ken Buckley 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5

19.10.12
Spartak Over 35s 3, Peamount Moyle 5

A decent performance which put the league leaders to the pin of their collar to secure the points.

Spartak got off to a poor start when they seemed somewhat in awe of the league leaders and passing was profligate and ragged while workrate, certainly initially, was too low.

Peamount/Moyle dominated, scoring when a corner deflected to a forward who popped it in; they also hit the bar and then a striker rounded Dave Mohan but pulled his shot wide. Gavin Johnson cleared a couple of dangerous situations with clearing headers at the back post and Dave also brought off a good save.

As half time approached Graham Johnston began to influence the midfield with some calm and assured play and the Sky Blues cam into the game and had a couple of chances, notably when Matt Grimes had a shot from an angle well saved.

Peamount will fell they should have been several goals to the good by the interval but found themselves level when a Paddy Hughes snap shot beat the keeper at the near post on the stroke of half time.

Then we were treated to outstanding goals on the break and some predatory finishing by Brendan Mooney, who finished neatly to twice give Spartak the lead. Brendan’s goals were brilliantly laid on first by Paddy Hughes and then by Said Amirkuanvar, with a soft Peamount goal (again from a cross) sandwiched between.

Peamount now redoubled their efforts and, given their height advantage, were always a threat at set pieces and from crosses. As Spartak tired and began to lose the midfield battle, handicapped by the loss of Graham Johnston to a hamstring injury, Peamount pressed on.

They were gifted a goal, clearly offside, just after they had a goal disallowed and then sealed the win with two headed efforts as Spartak failed to deal with the aerial threat as the Sky Blues faded.

Measured against the League leaders it was an acceptable display; but a need for sharper passing and a higher level of intensity is required to climb the table.

Form report
Dave Mohan 6 Colm Reid 5 Gavin Johnson 7 Paul McGrath 7 Tom Maher 6 Graham Johnston 7 Steve Mongey 5 Matt Grimes 7 Dave Whelan 5 Said Amirkanvuar 7 Shea McClafferty 5 Paddy Hughes 8 Brendan Mooney 7 Leon David 5 Richard Wheatley 6

Mick “Del Boy” Greene has sourced club gear and its coming in at €33 for a sweatshirt and polo. Both will be crested and have initials. The order will be placed next week and Mick will collect cash over the weekend and at training. NO GEAR WILL BE ORDERED WITHOUT CASH UPFRONT

Leicester have advised that their pitch is unplayable

14.10.12
Spartak 4, Beechwood 2

Spartak produced a good performance gaining their first win in four games thanks to some clinical finishing and a spirited all round effort in a fast paced encounter on a rainy morning in Marlay.

The benefits of a squad closer to full strength saw fine impacts from the substitutes to clinch the win. With Keith Kelly , Paul Kinsella and Graham McEnroe all still to return the squad now looks in better shape for the tough battles ahead.

A high intensity start saw the Sky Blues immediately pressurise their opponents; Steve Walsh’s free was touched away by the Beechwood keeper, Niall Hanratty had a shot blocked, a sweeping move by Neil McGowan and Walsh put Conor Maguire away to shoot over; then Neil robbed a home defender to shoot home low right footed from the edge of the box. And that was just the first four minutes!

Almost immediately Stuart Love headed wide from close range but then the visitors got their act together and, combined with some defensive errors, came very close to scoring. There were several near misses and also a couple of scrambles which featured point blank saves by Jason Northey and goal line clearances by Hanratty. Beechwood were aided by the fact that the Spartak defenders’ distribution was often poor, sometimes alternating between too slow or just panicky.

Steve Walsh had a chance when put through by Neil McGowan but the keeper saved; Steve Grier’s free was saved after Stuart Love was fouled;and when Conor Maguire swung over the resultant corner Seamus McCahill missed a glorious headed opportunity. Beechwood then had a good move and finish but much to home relief the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside. Steve Grier then fired just over just before the break.

Amazingly there was only one goal to show for a half which saw some fine attacking play from both sides.

A neat move in the 47th minute saw Spartak extend their lead; Stuart Love passed inside to Neil McGowan who quickly fed Steve Grier on the burst; his sublime pass gave Conor Maguire the opportunity, and he showed great composure to finish.

On 56 minutes Beechwood got back in the game; With Spartak penned back, Neil McGowan’s clearance was short and when the ball was played back in he was turned in the box and the striker blasted home. Adam Doran then substituted for a hamstrung Neil McGowan to immediate effect. A neat move with Steve Walsh and Stuart Love saw Adam provide the “hollywood” ball, releasing Conor Maguire who neatly rounded the keeper before finishing.

Beechwood continued to press and the game looked far from safe; and when Aodhan McCahill fouled a player at the corner of the box they reduced arrears on 72 minutes. While the Spartak wall obediently lined up a good ten yards away the visiting player popped the ball into the far corner past a startled Jason Northey without waiting for a whistle. 3-2.

At that point the spread betters on the sideline were punting heavily on a Beechwood comeback.

However it was the Sky Blues who struck the decisive blow with the redoubtable Niall Hanratty playing a wonderful pass down the line to Derek Ruxton, who fired in a trademark cross. Seamus McCahill and Conor Maguire were lurking but the defender intevened with a handball. Conor Maguire stepped up to despatch the penalty and complete his hat trick on 81 minutes. Ken Buckley came in for Seamus McCahill to ensure Spartak closed the game out as the ref allowed 6 extra minutes.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 7 Dave Browne 7 Neil McGowan 7
Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 7 Conor Maguire 9 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Adam Doran 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Ken Buckley 5

13.10.12
Spartak 3, Glasnaoin 2

A game which looked to be heading comfortably the home side’s way was only decided by the narrowest margin against a Glasnaoin side who battled their way back into contention when seeming to be down and out; fitness issues persist for a Sky Blues side which was unable to press home their advantage when in the lead. The second half saw both sides drop the tempo considerably.

Glasnaoin began the better and unforced errors and miskicks by the Sky Blues gave the visitors a couple of half chances, but on 11 minutes a long throw by Anto Doyle was forced in by Ross Kelly. Spurred on by this success, Spartak pressed and Neill Bolger’s run and cross saw Lee Dunne steer a shot home in the 20th minute. Spartak had a period of superiority and Lee then latched on to a defensive error but his attempt was pushed on to the post by the keeper. A long run through by Neill Bolger saw him place his shot too close to the keeper.

Spartak then took their foot off the pedal as the visitors raised their game and when Cathal Clancy was pulled up for a foul the free kick, from a good position, was fired home with Bobby Hayes’s positioning somewhat suspect. Cathal was then fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he apprehended a forward bearing down on goal.

Glasnaoin equalised when, with the Spartak defence pushed to half way, Dermot Dooley was caught in possession almost level with his defence; the forward raced through to equalise.

So 2-2 at the break.

The first minute of the second half saw the best move of the game; Conor Canavan threw the ball in to Cathal Clancy on the left and Cathal fired a long diagonal pass to Chris Hogan, running from right back. Chris played a neat one two down the line with Lee Dunne before delivering a tantalising cross low across the six yard box. Ross Kelly just failed to make contact at the near post, and with Mick Costello ready to strike at the back post the defender intervened to poke the ball past the keeper.

The game certainly dropped in tempo, perhaps understandably with a few players returning from injury and lay offs, and play generally was becalmed. Spartak’s efforts were generally restricted to breakouts; Neill Bolger was the main source of energy and drive and he just failed to find Ross Kelly after a strong run down he left, while later he had an attempted chip just wide. With a little composure added to his undoubted energy and endeavour Neill could have been the player to put the tie beyond all doubt. The Sky Blues back four recovered their composure somewhat after an error strewn first half and Glasnaoin were restricted to long range efforts.

Roll on the draw for Round 2!

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Anto Doyle 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Ross Kelly 6 Lee Dunne 6 Neill Bolger 7 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Barry Maguire 5 Joe Roe 5 Conor Callis

7.10.12
Beech Hill 1, Spartak 1

With both sides idle from league duties, this proved a welcome run out on a perfect day for football.

Spartak should have taken the lead when combined play by Conor Maguire and Steve Walsh saw Stuart Love stab against the post from point blank range, with Ross Kelly’s follow up being blocked. Derek Ruxton had a shot pushed away by the keeper while Lee Dunne headed over from a corner.

A long ball saw a forward beat Jason Northey to the ball, but he then over ran the ball harmlessly, and luckily for Spartak, wide. Maguire then conceded a free kick which was despatched past Northey on 43 minutes.

The Sky Blues had an escape when Dave Browne was caught in possession, but a few minutes in the second half a move by Dunne and Maguire gave Steve Walsh an opening which he fired home, celebrating his elevation to skipper for the day.

Paul Kinsella went close as did Maguire and Kelly just failed to connect with Maguire’s fine pass as the Sky Blues pressed for a winner.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Niall Lennon 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Ross Kelly 6 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7 Lee Dunne 6

6.10.12
Spartak 2, Swords Celtic 0.

A topsy turvy turnaround week for the Sky Blues, who came badly unstuck in the previous game against Sallynoggin Pearse, but recovered strongly to inflict defeat on the league leaders.

On a fine day in Marlay, with the pitch in good condition, the game featured quite a bit of good football and Spartak will be well pleased with the points, while the visitors will wonder how they failed to convert so many chances; this was a reversal of the trend and the outcome three weeks ago when Swords came out on top.

Swords had lost for the first time the previous week, and looked short of confidence in front of goal, while the home side were resolute in their efforts to atone for a tame display the week before.

Naill Lennon, Neil McGowan and Adam Doran combined calmly to probe the Swords defence; in general the Spartak side played a pleasing brand of controlled football in the first half, while Shane McInerney busied himself breaking up Swords play.

Spartak created many first half chances, but failed to capitalise. Neill Bolger, a busy presence up front, lobbed wide when in the clear; he also shot wide when Niall Hanratty put him through, and was denied a stone wall penalty when he was felled racing into the box. Hanratty was then put clear by Adam Doran, but shot wide.

The home defence proved vulnerable to the ball over the top, and Steve Grier, capable stand in keeper, had to come to the rescue on a few occasions. When Steve was beaten, Mick Costello made a timely goal line clearance.

In the second half Chris Hogan and Adam Doran, so effective in getting forward from full back in the first half, played it long to a greater extent and Spartak did not look quite as cohesive. A great run and finish by Neill Bolger on 49 minutes edged the Sky Blues in front.

Costello headed over from McGowan’s free kick before, on 69 minutes, sub Lee Dunne combined with McGowan and Hanratty before Mick Costello fired home spectacularly from the edge of the box.

Steve Grier brought off a fine tip over save to keep Swords at bay as the visitors frustration grew and finally the no. 7 saw red for a bad challenge on Hanratty.

Two fine goals, a clean sheet and three points against the leaders. A good day’s work.

Form Report
Steve Grier 8 Chris Hogan 7 Adam Doran 8 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 7 Niall Lennon 8 Niall Hanratty 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Costello 7 Neill Bolger 7
Subs: Lee Dunne 6 Joe Roe 5 Barry Maguire 5

30.9.12
Spartak 2, Sallynoggin Pearse 3

A gift goal 8 minutes from time gave the visitors the points after Spartak had made all the running in the second half.

Some games go to the team which has the fewer chances, and this was one of those.

Spartak were disrupted when Jason Northey pulled up in the warm up, and Steve Grier took his place between the sticks. While Steve took off a few good saves, this game will be remembered for his poor passing out from the back. The winning goal came when, taking a goal kick and trying to find Keith Kelly out wide, Steve mishit his pass to a forward, on the edge of the box, who duly capitalised.

The first goal was similar – Steve’s clearing kick travelled 30 yards and when the ball was lobbed back in towards the unprotected goal, Dave Browne’s header was directed centrally and went straight to another visiting striker, who had a simple task. On a positive note, Jason Northey has kindly offered kicking lessons to Steve.

This was Spartak’s best game so far for chances made; Conor Maguire was a constant menace up front and will hardly play as well again without scoring.

Spartak should have led early on but Conor Maguire’s effort which beat the keeper struck a defender and looped on to the top of the net. Steve Walsh fired wide and Graham McEnroe’s surge into the box was halted by a tackle. McEnroe’s cross was then turned in by a defender for the Sky Blues’ equaliser; but some weak midfield tracking allowed the visitors to play through for an effort which Steve Grier saved well but the rebound was converted.

It was a different Sky Blue team which emerged after the interval; the visitors were pushed back and the balance of play swung completely in Spartak’s favour. A first time pass by Maguire put McEnroe in for a sweetly struck equaliser; then Steve Walsh fired just wide.

Conor Maguire then fastened on to a long ball and from out wide wriggled his way past two defenders in a solo effort but was foiled by a good save from the keeper when a finish would have been a candidate for goal of the season.

Niall Hanratty’s blazing shot was goalbound but was blocked, at some personal expense, by a defender; then Hanratty shot just wide when teed up by Stuart Love. Maguire then had a good chance saved.

Then, in a pivotal moment, McEnroe opted not to put Steve Walsh in for a clear run at goal and the chance was lost.

Sallynoggin gave notice of their intent when hitting the post on a break, but they then got out of jail courtesy of that late goal.

The general display was good , particularly when dominating the third quarter, and Keith Kelly’s return to fitness is a welcome one.

The reality is that after three games, and nul points, the concession of soft goals makes the task of winning games doubly difficult. And this was one game which should have yielded three points.

Form Report
Steve Grier 5 Keith Kelly 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Alex Kenny 8 Dave Browne 6 Ken Buckley 6 Graham McEnroe 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Stuart Love 6 Conor Maguire 8 Steve Walsh 6
Subs Paul Kinsella 5 Jason Northey

29.9.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 8, Spartak 1

This game, on the old sloping pitch at Rochestown Avenue, was overshadowed by an injury to keeper Bobby Hayes which necessitated a trip to hospital; Bobby bravely dived at the forward’s feet and sustained a nasty head injury. Luckily the visit entailed no more than stitches to repair the damage.

The score at the time of Bobby’s departure was 1-1, Adam Doran having headed an equaliser from Niall Lennon’s free after the Sky Blues had uncharacteristically conceded from a corner.

The thankless task of replacing Bobby fell to Mick Greene, who had the misfortune to receive little protection from his team mates, and who, due to injury, was severely restricted.

Spartak’s misfortune did not end at Bobby’s injury; due to cry offs a number of players carrying knocks had to turn out and the second half took its toll as the home side, in a clinical display of finishing, drove home their advantage. Everything Sallynoggin hit went in, while, remarkably in such a one sided score, Spartak had many chances themselves to score but finished ineptly.

Joe Roe would not have been flattered with a hat trick, Neill Bolger volleyed over with the keeper out of position, with Adam Doran, Shane McInerney and Niall Lennon all having efforts to add to the score.

So a poor defensive display and equally poor at the other end.

To record that the home side were bottom of the league prior to this game, and that this was their first win, only adds to the pain.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 4 Adam Doran 7 Fintan Grace 5 Keith Kelly 5 Shane McInerney 5 Niall Lennon 4 Conor Callis 4 Dermot Dooley 5 Joe Roe 4 Neill Bolger 4
Subs: Mick Greene 5 Glenn Dowling 5