Spartak Dynamo FC

On Saturday 21st November the Saturday team are going for pints in the Barge Pub. Its an open invitation to ALL Saturday players (including over 35’s) In the words of Shane McInerney it’s a “team bondin session, so everyone must attend.” Sunday players cannot attend for obvious reasons…..they will have a match the following morning!!

Schalke Rovers 1 SDFC 1

Spartak 35’s drew for the second time in consecutive matches on Saturday with a very good performance against Schalke Rovers in St Anne’s park.

Starting with an experimental formation Spartak put the home side under immediate pressure and created 3 good chances in the first 5 minutes. Ray Grady had two very good efforts just wide before delivering a great cross from which Rory Campbell was unlucky not to score. Rory then turned provider with a perfect cross for a Ken Byrne header that the keeper saved.

The game continued in the same vain until just before half-time when against the run of play Schalke managed to take the lead with a hopeful shot that looped over Jimmy Browne.

The second half was more of the same with all the clear cut chances falling to Spartak. Ken Byrne burst through the defence and shot over. Their keeper made an excellent save from a Rory Campbell header and then Shay beat the offside trap to go clear on goal only for a last ditch tackle to keep the score intact.

With 20 minutes to go Spartak finally managed to draw level through Frank McNamee having being put through by Rory Campbell. After that Spartak continued to apply pressure on the Schalke goal but could not get the winner. A good effort from Paul Burke came close. The final chance for Spartak came when an excellent shot from Brian Stafford forced their keeper into another fine save, the ball broke to Jason Doyle whose return shot went narrowly wide.

It almost went horribly wrong for Spartak in injury time when two Schalke players beat the offside trap and found themselves two on one with Jimmy Browne. An excellent finger tip save from Jimmy directed the resulting shot onto the post which then to the relief of the away side rebounded into his arms to ensure that the game finished in stalemate.

On a day when so many chances were created there was some disappointment with a draw but the performance and effort was well up on the previous match. Overall it was a well deserved and well earned away point.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, John Hallihan, Greg Callan, Ken Byrne, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Paul Burke, Shay, Gavin McLaughlan, Ray Grady, Jason Doyle.

Manortown 4 Spartak 4

A strange affair which Spartak should have won comfortably and could indeed have lost at the end – all going Spartak’s way until the weather changed to a furious rainstorm with thunder and lightning and Spartak found themselves battling the elements as well as the opposition.

In the first half the home side enjoyed the majority of possession but Spartak defended capably and were extremely effective on the break. Mike Hull might have scored with a header in the first minute but for a great save by the home keeper.  Steve Browne always looked dangerous while Alan Cummins had his most effective half so far this season. A first ever goal from Chris Hogan, albeit aided by a deflection,  was welcomed by all after good work by Cummins and Browne was followed by a firm header by Cummins from Hanratty’s corner and then Hanratty threaded a fine pass for Browne to round the keeper and slot number three; and Spartak held a slightly flattering half time lead.

Early in the second half a harshly awarded penalty (the foul by Martin Costello was 5 yards outside the box) gave the home side hope. That seemed to be extinguished when McInerney, who had earlier shot wide from a good position, released Browne with a delightful pass and Browne finished well on 66 minutes. That should have been that. 

In the words of the Manortown manager, divine intervention was required and arrived in the form of a sudden change in weather conditions. A balmy afternoon was transformed by torrential rain and wind.

Spartak’s work rate dropped and appetite for battling the conditions weakened and when a snap shot reduced arrears the home side’s tails were up. Spartak’s defensive resolve weakened. Martin Costello, previously imperious as defensive lynch pin, seemed unnerved after conceding the penalty and never recovered his composure. Hanratty , while contributing to first half goals, was never on his game defensively and tamely conceded a soft goal by failing to close down his man in the box.  Dave O Kelly at left back and Cathal Clancy, who  bravely carried on after a clash of heads, were exposed, along with their colleagues,  by a midfield which never got to grips with the match and Manortown equalised with a wind assisted long shot which skidded past a deceived Mick Costello.   ShaneMcInerney high work rate was unable to compensate for his midfield colleagues and possession was wasted and tackles missed. Chris Hogan and Rob Deering contributed only sporadically.   

Manortown then missed an open goal header before Spartak recovered some composure. Cummins might have  played Browne in rather than shoot weakly and a couple of set piece opportunities were wasted.

The home side celebrated a big coneback in what felt like a defeat for the sky blues. However overall there was plenty to work with especially in attacking terms, and with better defensive discipline rewards will come.

 Form Report

Mick Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave O Kelly 6 Martin Costello 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 7 Rob Deering 5 Alan Cummins 6 Steve Browne 8 Chris Hogan 5 Mike Hull 6

Mick Greene 5 Dave Agnew 5 .  Just two subs, as there were a number of no shows – Tom O’Driscoll, Dermot Dooley and Colm O Sullivan while both Neill and Mark Bolger cried off an hour before the match.

What’s Martin Thinking? (Before the unpleasantness with the bouncers in Diceys)

SDFC 2 St Colmcille’s 2

Spartak over 35’s seemed to be heading for a win on Saturday at home to St Colmcilles when an equaliser 3 minutes from time caused disappointment all round.

Spartak started well and had a couple of early chances in the first half before a breakaway move was finished expertly by Ken Byrne. The joy was shortlived however when direct from the kick-off St Colmcilles attacked down the left, the cross found an unmarked player who volleyed past Jimmy Browne.  As the half wore on St Comcilles got on top and it required a couple of outstanding saves from Jimmy to keep Spartak in the game. On one attack however, Spartak should have had a penalty when a clear hand ball was ignored by the referee.

The second half saw Spartak regain control and after 10 minutes a good move resulted in Rory Campbell breaking free and finishing well to make the score 2-1. Neither side really threatened the goals thereafter until almost on full-time a hopeful shot from a Colmcilles player looped over Jimmy’s head to really dampen the spirits of the home side. A deflated Spartak almost conceded a losing goal when a good shot hit the underside of the bar before being cleared.

While everyone was disappointed with a draw having held the lead for so long, on reflection it was Colmcilles who had the better chances and would certainly argue they deserved the draw.

I think all would agree that the team effort and performance on this occasion was somewhat below par. 

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, John Hallihan, Leon David, Ken Byrne, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Paul Burke, Mark Byrne, Gavin McLaughlan, Ray Grady, Stephen Carr.

Spartak 1, Ballyoulster 2.

Another odd goal defeat for Spartak was mainly the result of two bizarrely conceded goals.

In a game of few chances, Spartak went ahead when Thomson finished neatly after combining with Browne.

Just before the break, a harmless cross, which could have been easily cleared,  was let go by Hanratty and Bolger and the visitors striker could not believe his luck from 5 yards.

The winner came in strange fashion. With Bolger off injured, Spartak dropped concentration from a throw in and the resulting cross was missed by Martin Costello before drifting across goal where Clancy’s attempted clearance only succeeded in driving the ball against the keeper and in to the net.

Just before this O’Driscoll released Browne for a one on one, but he went for the glory option and blazed high and wide.

A very disapponting result and performance.

Mick Costello 5 –  in terms of controlling the 6 yard boxwon’t be happy with goals conceded – good save on 1 on 1

Niall Hanratty – 5 worked hard, passing a bit iffy, let ball bounce for first goal

Dave O Kelly 4 distribution poor both from passes and throw ins.

Mark Bolger 4 – A good goal line clearance, but never got to the pace of the game ; inexplicable error for first goal.

Cathal Clancy 5 wholehearted and unlucky to panic for winning goal

Shane McInerney 6 – battling partership with Martin Costello at heart of midfield

Martin Costello 6 – most improved player pressed into service in midfield and did well

Dave Thomson 5 – took his goal well, but passing and touch will take a bit more work

Rob Deering 4 – did not reproduce form of last week and never troubled his opposite number

Steve Browne 4     Always does well in front of goal when the team is on top, but needs to score the goals that make the difference in tight contests. Combined well with Thomson for the goal, but composure let him down when he missed a great chance late on.

Alan Cummins 5 plenty of energy and some good hold up play but little end product

Tom O Driscoll – 6 brought some guile and made two goal chances when introduced.

Dave Williams 4 – never comfortable on the ball

Colm O Sullivan 4  made little impact overall and missed an opportunity to score or set up a goal after O’Driscoll’s cross.

Chris Hogan and Mick Greene not used.

Portmarnock 0, Spartak 5.

A very shaky start saw the sky blues living dangerously and the home side were somewhat unfortunate not to be a goal or two up in the first 20 minutes. The visitors back four was in some disarray and several chances went abegging.

However once again the attacking talents of the visitors came to the fore.

Against the run of play Gintaras and Glen worked a short corner, and when the home keeper spilled the shot, Stuey Love was on hand to finish. Once again the Spartak attack was on top form and pressure on the defence by Gintaras and Glen led to an error, and Tom Kowal took full advantage by driving home  a well struck shot.

The home side pressed forward determinedly at the start of the second period and struck the bar from close range. Spartak weathered the storm with O Toole making a couple of fine saves, and, with Breen holding the ball up well, always looked dangerous on the break, with the pace of Kowal, Burke and Cibirka. Breen headed home powerfully from the latters corner for the vital third, and also played a sublime return ball for Gintaras to apply a leisurely finish, having rounded the keeper. 

The final goal was a fine low finish from Kowal, from Cibirka’s lay off.

A vital three points keeps up the league interest. Portmarnock will feel hard done by to lose such a close game by 5-0 and the critical difference in this game was the quality of finishing.

Peter O Toole 8 Anto Doyle 7 Rob Mahon 7 Steve Grier 6 Fintan Grace 5 Stuart Love 7 Will O Connell 7 Gintaras Cibirka 9 Graham Breen 8 Glen Burke 8 Tom Kowal 8

subs Kevin O Toole 5 Dan O Connell 5 Martin Costello 5 Shane McInerney, Dave Browne, Neil McGowan not used.

Don’t forget October Fantasy Football competition resuming this weekend, €50 for winner.

Spartak 1 Knocklyon 2

In a tight contest at Marley, ten man Knocklyon overcame a somewhat disjointed home eleven. Spartak were hampered by injuries to a number of midfielders, and not helped in the preparation by the late arrival of Messrs Kenny and Grier (duly fined) .  The midfield problem was not fully solved despite the energetic efforts of Martin Costello, pressed into service in an unfamiliar role. The return to fitness of Graham McEnroe, Tom Flanagan, Neil McGowan and Will O Connell is required.

Alex Kenny, after a recent tonsilitis op,  did not last and was replaced on 20 minutes by Kevin O Toole.

There was little in the game until the 35th minute when the ball broke to Knocklyon after an aerial clash and, athough Spartak had cover in numbers, the quality of cover was poor as the cross pulled back to the near post was drilled home for the opening goal.

A fussy referee booked Tom Kowal for a tackle and sent off his opposite number for dissent before half time.

Spartak started the second half more positively and a clearance off the line from Breen’s header was the best effort, and maybe Spartak’s best opportunity to turn the game in their favour.  Burke hit the post from a driven free after Kowal was upended right at the edge of the box.

Spartak’s attacking play fizzled out as over reliance was placed on the long ball to the ever willing Breen. The quality of passing required to enforce the benefit of the extra man was simply not there.  Increasingly Knocklyon came back strongly to hit the bar with great shot and also convert a somewhat fortuitous penalty after a clash between a forward and Peter O Toole.

As the game moved towards injury time Spartak finally got a really good move together with Martin Costello;s pass starting a move which involved Dan O Connell and Glen Burke, whose cross was converted by Cibirka. 

Unfortunately it was too little too late. Spartak are fortunate that a series of results elsewhere keeps them in the chasing pack, but there are seven teams in that pack. All have lost at least once in a  very even and competitive division.

Form report

Peter O Toole 6 Anto Doyle 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 7 Fintan Grace 5 Alex Kenny 4 Martin Costello 6 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 6 Graham Breen 6 tom Kowal 5

Subs Kevin O Toole 5 Dan O Connell 5 Adam Doran 5.