Spartak Dynamo FC

Meath Rangers 2 Spartak 1

A weak approach in the final third, particularly in the first half, let Spartak down and they slipped to an unexpected and unwelcome defeat in what was a lack lustre performance.

Early domination was not converted to goals due to poor crosses and timid finishing. Grier volleyed over from Cibirka’s corner, Burke headed wide from a Grier long throw; Spartak’s best move of the game saw passes from O’Connell, Cibirka and Love set up Burke 12 yards out but he shot straight at the keeper. Cibirka’s header from Burke’s cross was too weak to trouble the keeper.

On 24 minutes Burke came in along the bye line to appeals from Meath that the ball was out. The ref called “play on” so he then crossed and Love converted to the net – whereupon the ref promptly disallowed the goal and gave a goal kick!

Meath’s first attack brought a great headed clearance by Kenny and then on 38 minutes O’Toole failed to deal with a cross and the loose ball was headed home for a lead totally against the run of play.

This gave Meath something to hold on to and made Spartak’s task more difficult.

Burke chipped over from a  good position and then a superb ball by Cibirka released Kowal, but he shot on the run straight at the  keeper.

Early second half Burke shot wide of the near post after being released by Cibirka and O’Toole saved after Kenny was caught in possession. Disaster struck on 58 minutes when a long cross from Spartak’s left flank was spectacularly volleyed past O’Toole.

Spartak’s response was immediate and Flanagan’s pass released Breen whose scuffed shot beat the home keeper to reduce arrears.

While Spartak had plenty of possession the quality of crosses was poor generally and quite a number of players fluffed their lines in this aspect of the game. Passing was slow and cumbersome at times and many attacks petered out due  to the use of a long ball. Failure to progress with overlapping play against a deep lying defence was costly and there was also a tendency to over carry the ball and get caught in possession.

Spartak sought to equalise and a  good run and cross from McEnroe saw Flanagan get under the ball to shoot over and a late header by McEnroe was straight at the keeper.

Despite having the lion’s share of possession Spartak slipped to a costly defeat.

Form Report

Peter O ‘Toole 5 Fintan Grace 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 6 Alex Kenny 7 Stuart Love 5 Will O Connell 6 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 5 Graham Breen 5 Tom Kowal 5.

Subs Tom Flanagan 6 Graham McEnroe 6 Dave Browne 6 Kevin O’Toole Jason Northey

Peamount 0, Spartak 1

Spartak continued their good run on the unnacustomed astro surface and despite 5 enforced changes from the win against leaders Everton FA last week.

The success was built upon the imperious defensive pairing of Finn and Costello  who restricted Peamount to a minimal number of chances and also the versatility of Mick Greene, who went in goal after 20 minutes when Peter O’Toole was injured following a clash where he bravely punched a cross clear under pressure.  McInerney and McEnroe formed a very effective central midfield combination, and protected the back four as well as setting  up a number of attacks.

The work rate was high throughout the side and in freezing conditions Spartak played the more composed football.

The winning goal was a marvellous affair on 15 minutes and a candidate for team goal of the season. The ball never left the deck after Graham McEnroe, picking up the ball from a Costello header, made a scintillating run from deep in his own half.  He played a slick one-two with Mark Bolger and supplied a cross to Tom O’Driscoll at the far post. Tom in turn laid it off beautifully into the path of Mark, who slotted home past the helpless Peamount keeper. A goal  and a move to savour.

A header from Martin Costello bounced off the top of the bar and Mark Bolger shot weakly as Spartak tried to add to their tally. Rob Deering, slotting in at left back,  made a number of strong runs and his delivery is improving by the week. Chris Hogan worked overtime on the right hand side to contain the Peamount attack and is becoming more composed on the ball.

The second half was tough going as Peamount sought to get back into the match, but were repelled by a resolute Spartak defence. Dave O Kelly, defensively solid but sometimes profligate with his distribution,  was caught in possession but the danger was averted.

Mark Bolger , playing up front in the absence of some regulars, was eventually let down by lack of fitness and had much less impact in the second half before going off with a strain. Mike Hull, working hard as an early sub at left mid, had the most spectacular effort when at the end of a good move he saw glory and shot first time from the edge of the boxbut his shot almost went into orbit.

 Late substitutes Malone and Williams got into the swing of things by getting in good tackles. The former was booked – initially it was thought for his haircut – but it transpired he had lectured the ref on the rules of the game. Williams arrived to a night match in freezing conditions attired in shorts. Rob Deering may be called upon to give his pal some advice on appropriate kit to bring!

 Form Report

Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O Kelly 7 Mick Greene 8 Martin Costello 8 James Finn 8 Shane McInerney 8 Graham McEnroe 8 Chris Hogan 7 Mark Bolger 7 Tim O Driscoll 8 Rob Deering 8.

Subs Mike Hull 6 Lee Malone 6 Dave Williams 6 Ross Kelly.

SDFC Over 35’s 3 Portmarnock 6

Spartak over 35’s suffered a second home defeat in as many weeks as a very poor first half performance cost the team dearly.

Starting with 3 at the back the home side were exposed straight from the kick-off.  The right winger found himself in acres of space to provide a good cross that was half cleared to an umarked player whose shot was parried by Jimmy Browne resulting in a tap in for their striker. This put Portmarnock 1 nil up without any outfield Spartak player having touched the ball or made a tackle. This dismal start did not get any better when 3 minutes later a mis-kick from Jimmy Browne found an unmarked midfielder on the edge of the box who easily lobbed the ball over Jimmy’s head to put the away side 2 up.

The Spartak team finally started to compete and started to get a grip around the middle. Good attacking play forced a free kick which John Hallihan headed towards goal and the inrushing Gerry Doran provided a skillful touch to pull a goal back for Spartak. There followed a good period for Spartak with sustained pressure on the Portmarnock goal resulting in Frank McNamee having a shot that was parried away by the keeper and half chances for Rory Campbell and Barry Crowe. A good chance also fell to Dave Mohan who volleyed over.

Against the run of play Portmarnock broke up the left hand side a ball was played through and finished to go 3-1 up. This goal seemed to stun the home side as Portmarnock proceeded to score two further goals to go 5-1 up at the break. Both were excellent long range efforts but on neither occasion was there a challenge on the shot.

In fairness the team responded to the call from Barry Crowe to raise its game in the second half and started to compete well in every position. Gerry Doran, Barry Crowe and Paul Burke were setting up movements with some good passing and the workrate seemed to improve throughout the whole team.   With Spartak again applying a lot of pressure half chances fell to Ray Grady and Rory Campbell. Spartak finally pulled a goal back when excellent play by Ray Grady set up Frank McNamee who’s shot was expertly tipped over the bar by the hand of their centre half (thanks).  A straight red card was issued and Paul Burke made no mistake from the spot kick to make it 5-2.

With the opposition down to 10 men Spartak did press forward and seek another goal. On a rare break down the field the Portmarnock right full mishit a cross from the sideline that deceived Jimmy Browne and looped under the bar to give them their sixth goal. To its credit the home side continued to press forward right to the end and the final action of the match was a Frank McNamee headed goal from a good corner by Ray Grady.

Overall a very disappointing defeat which I am sure all would agree was the result of a dismal first half where the competitiveness and workrate was a long way from what the team is capable of.

Requesting a better turnout at training this week please.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran

Full size picture on the GALLERY page

SDFC Over 35’s 1 Peamount 3

The over 35’s commenced the new year programme with a disappointing home defeat to league leaders Peamount.

Starting with a defensive formation and a lone striker, Spartak sought to play a containing game in the early stages. The plan almost came unstuck in the first few minutes when a neat through ball left their away striker one on one with Jimmy Browne who pulled off an excellent save. After that early scare Spartak came more into the game and created a couple of half chances that fell to Mark Byrne.

Spartak went 1-0 up midway through the first half when a pass over the top from Brian Stafford was chased by Ken Byrne who was taken down for a clear penalty. Paul Burke expertly converted.

As the end of the first half approached there was an ominous sign of things to come for Spartak when the opposition midfielder somehow managed to head over the bar from the goal line having managed to escape all defensive cover from a corner. Shortly after their striker beat the offside trap to again go one on one with Jimmy but on this occasion he finished the chance to level the scores. Right on half time Spartak went behind when the cross from a cleared corner seemed to evade everyone except the Peamount player standing a few yards from goal who neatly flicked the ball into the net.

The second half in truth was comfortable for Peamount. Their third goal game after 10 minutes when again the offside trap was sprung to leave a player completely free from defensive cover. Despite being a good 30 yards from goal he neatly chipped the ball into an empty net.   Spartak were restricted to only one chance in the half that fell to Ken Byrne who headed wide.

Overall it was disappointing to lose but the main difference between the teams was the level of fitness with the away side getting progressively stronger and more in control as the game wore on. Set pieces were also disappointing on the day with a number of close range free kicks and quite a few corners failing to trouble the keeper.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Leon David, Brian Stafford, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran

Spartak 1 Orwell 1 .

Spartak’s late awakening in this game came too late to garner all three points.  Orwell proved doughty opponents and passed the ball better for much of the game, and unexpectedly took the lead on 68 minutes when Grace and Kenny allowed the oppponent time and space to crack a 25 yard shot past Peter O’Toole.

Spartak did not risk Graham Breen (hamstring) and were also without Anto Doyle (temporarily housebound).  It was clear that a number of players had rested on their laurels over the holiday period and had eschewed training in favour of other pursuits. It was a policy which did not pay off in this game, where very few players displayed good form.

A bright start by Spartak soon fizzled out Glen Burke and Gintaras Cibirka up front were at times isolated and also at times chose to take on defenders when outnumbered. Stuart Love and Stephen Grier headed wide from a free and corner respectively and and Neil McGowan ‘s shot on the follow up was deflected over the bar after Tom Kowal’s header was saved.

Early in the second half Fintan Grace put an effort from Neil’s corner wide from close in.

Orwell’s goal stung Spartak into belated action and at last chances were created. Cibirka’s block from the keepers attempted clearance struck the woodork and seemed to cross the line before being cleared. 

On 77 minutes the visiting keeper fumbled a cross and when Will O’Connell’s effort came back off the bar McGowan forced the ball in from close range.

Alex Kenny’s fine pass put Cibirka through in a one on one situation, but the keeper got a hand to the effort at the expense of a corner.  

The final act in the 90th minute came as Cibirka volleyed a ball home, but the referee adjudged that McGowan was offside and in the keeper’s line of vision and disallowed the score.  The final whistle followed seconds later.

 Form report

Peter O’Toole 6 Fintan Grace 5 Robert Mahon 5 Steve Grier 5  Alex Kenny 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 7 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 5 Tom Kowal 5 Will O Connell 6

Subs Graham McEnroe 6 Tom Flanagan 6 Dan O Connell 6 Kevin O Toole Graham Breen. Dave Browne no show.

The numbers at training have fallen sharply off . We have trained regularly including weekends, weather permitting.

Of the last 10 sessions , only 4 players have made the 70% attendance mark .  A number seem to be waiting for warm weather training.

Improvement required!!!!

Spartk 2 Everton FA 1

A thrilling victory in which nine man Spartak held out manfully against the odds to record a third successive win.

Spartak began well and were denied a clear penalty when Browne was fouled from behind in tha act of shooting. A corner from O’Driscoll caused panic in the vistors rearguard but the ball was cleared.

Everton took the lead on 26 minutes when their left winger, looking offside, crossed and the centre forward controlled and stepped past Greene to drill a shot past Northey from 18 yards.

Spartak turned the game on its head with a quick fire burst when free kicks from O’Driscoll were headed home by Hanratty and O’Kelly in successive minutes on 37 and 38 minutes.

O’Kelly, Browne and Clancy were booked for entering fruitless discussions with Ref, who surprisingly did not alter his decisions to concur with the Spartak lads’ observations. In fact the opposite was the case. Mick Costello and McInerney went into the book for tackles.

McInerney led the midfield offensive, sparing nothing in energy and aggression  and lacked only a sharper touch going forward.  Costello was imperious a te back and with Clancy formed a tough back two. Deering, having remembered most of his gear on this occasion, held concentration and both Niall Hanratty and Mick Costello worked tirelessly with the occasional good get out ball. Dave O Kelly weighed in with his second goal of the season and Mick Greene settled well after a dreamy start.  O’Driscoll used the ball well and linked with colleagues; Browne, leaving aside the lapse in temperament, worked hard as a virtual solo attacker in the second half.

 The second half was a story of the Spartak midfield and defence working flat out to contain the visitors. They succeeded to the extent that Northey was relatively untroubled, and he dealt safely with most that came his way, the occasional fumble apart. The occasional break out was led by Browne and a couple of snap shots kept the visitors keeper alert. 

Clancy got his marching orders for a trip on 70 minutes, and Browne was let down once more by his fragile mentality and saw red again. He has yet to accept that the refs always have the final word. The suspensions may hit hard.

 Overall it was the performance of the season to date.

 Form Report

Jason Northey 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Mick Greene 7 Martin Costello 9 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 9 Niall Hanratty 7 Rob Deering 7 Steve Browne 5 Tom O Driscoll 7 Mick Costello 7 Sub Dermot Dooley 6 Mike Hull Ross Kelly

Training ON in Killians tonight