Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak 7, Glenview ath 1

The biggest win by the second team for years came only after a really poor opening half and required a considerable increase in effort and application.

Spartak, seemingly expecting an easy game in this Leinster Junior Shield opening round,  started miserably and were exposed three times early on on our left flank, where Mick Greene’s distribution and positioning was below par and the centre of defence , manned by Martin costello and Dave O Kelly , were jittery in the extreme. Spartak were grateful to Mick costello for a one on one save with his feet, before th inevitable goal came via the same route. Claims for offside were ignored.

A late challenge on Mick Costello, unpunished by the ref,  led to a bad eye injury and Mick Greene deputised between the posts, with Alan Cummins coming on and Mark Bolger, who struggled up front,  dropping back.

A number of players were off the pace with poor touch and hurried distribution letting them down.

Passing was really poor until a good move involving Dave Williams and Dave Thomson led to Steve Browne firing home the equaliser. Dave Thomson, Mark Bolger  and Steve Browne all missed good chances.

The second half initially saw little improvement, with passing still poor, until Steve Browne flicked home a Thomson corner.

With the visitors tiring , it took Spartak until the 75th minute to get the decisive third goal, when Alan Cummins broke well from just inside the half to finish as the keeper advanced. 

Better passing by Hanratty and Deering in particular started to give Spartak the upper hand. Visitors heads dropped and Spartak then began to enjoy something of a goal fest with Browne and Cummins adding two more each in the final ten minutes as Spartak enjoyed total superiority of possession as Glenview fell into disarray and the game then resembled a practice game of backs and forwards. 

Spartak were happy to overcome a very poor start, and grateful that the opposition imploded. Roll on round two!

Form Report

Mick Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene 4 Martin Costello 6 Dave O Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Rob Deering 6 Dave Williams 5 Steve Browne 8 Mark Bolger 5 Dave Thomson 5.

Subs:  Alan Cummins 7 Chris Hogan 5 Girel Nji 5 Colm O Sullivan not used.

With the table quiz and medal presentation night on Thursday there will be no training so full player turn out will be expected. The quiz has in the past been a good source of extra funds for the club so please make an effort to be there. Tables of 4 per team with cash prizes for the winners. Even if you come up on your own we will get a team for you. If anyone can get their hands on any spot prizes that would be great too…..bottles of wine, whiskey etc or anything. The venue is the bar in the Firhouse Community Centre. We are kicking off from 8.30pm.

EID 4, Spartak 2

Some late resurgence by a resolute Spartak side might have yielded more had finishing been better against a very strong all Brazilian EID side.

Once again EID were found wanting on th organisation side, with porrly marked pitch and no match footballs. Neither had they bothered to make the usual contacts, all the work falling on Jason Doyle.

A skilful EID side knocked the ball around and Spartak were compact and defended well, with Steve Browne and Ross Kelly (until injured) working hard up front. A rash challenge by Cathal Clancy led to the breakthrough from the penalty spot and Mick Costello was caught by surprise by a long range shot for number 2. Rob Deering, when fouled on the edge of the box, did not go to ground as easily as the home side and the ref waved play on. 

Just after the break, Martin Costello put through his own goal, having been pushed, and the goal was allowed to stand. 

Spartak suffered somewhat from injuries – as well as Ross Kelly going off in the first half with a hamstring strain, Tom O Driscoll, carrying a knock , was not as effective as usual and had to be subbed.

Spartak pulled one back when Steve Browne shot high to the net from the edge of the box. Unfortunately a fourth was conceded all too easily.  Niall Hanratty diverted Mick Greene’s free kick to again reduce arrears and Girel Nji had a glorious opportunity when put through by Browne but he shot tamely straight at the keeper. 

Spartak overall stuck to the task, despite minimal possession, and a performance as resolute as this one would have yielded points against most sides.

Form report:

Mick Costello 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave O Kelly 7 Martin Costello 7 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 6 Rob Deering 5 Tom O Driscoll 5 Steve Browne 7 Ross Kelly 5 Dave Williams 5 Subs Mark Bolger 5 Girel Nji 5 Mick Greene 5

A €50 prize for the month of October fantasy football winner – provided annuals up to date. So get cracking, and keep an eye on Glen!

Spartak 3 Manortown 3

Somehow Spartak contrived to dominate the first half in terms of chances and finish the half two goals down. Some profligate finishing and simple defensive errors were the main cause.

Spartak had very clear first half chances the best of which were when Browne’s effort was cleared off the line, Neill Bolger lobbed harmlessly wide from a great position and  Hanratty headed over . Hanratty also hit the post and the rebound was finished by Dave Williams, who was ruled offside.

It was a different story at the other end however when from a throw in, Greene and Williams were left standing and the cross was finished at the near post where Northey, and particularly Clancy, might have done better to avert the danger. Greene enjoyed (if that’s the right word) a testing return to league action after injury and another cross from Spartak’s left looked to be drifting away from danger until Hanratty’s  miscued  clearance to the edge of the box was drilled home.

Spartak began the second half in better spirits and began to test the vistors defence. Browne shot wide, and in one incredible sequence Hanratty again hit woodwork, only for Deering to hit the bar iwith the follow up and Cummins fired over from three yards. Browne latched onto an O’Driscoll through ball to reduce arrears and when a clearance was returned by a McInerney header, Deering sneaked in to head in the equaliser.

An injury to Costello reduced the home side to ten and disaster struck when the vistors broke to score in the 92nd minute. Testament to the fighting qualities of the Spartak lads was evident in the manner of response, with all out attack and a fine through ball from Deering producing  the equaliser for Browne to finish clinically on 95 minutes.

 Northey 5 O Kelly 7 Greene 4 Costello 7 Clancy 6 McInerney 6 Hanratty 6    O’Driscoll 6 S Browne 7 N Bolger 6 Williams 5

Subs Cummins 5 Deering 7 Mouhad 5 Subs not used, Girel Nji, Chris Hogan.

On Saturday the match fell through because of lack of referee and general disorganisation by the home side , EID.   Whereas organisationally they are poor, the team consists entirely of Brazilian players in Dublin who are learning English, and in the ensuing friendly, which they won 4-0, the expected Brazilian mix of skill and muscle met little resistance from the Spartak team, particularly in the first half.

Spartak lost Martin Costello to injury early on, and Cathal Clancy, fresh off the plane from Spain, gave an energetic and robust performance and was our best player on the day. Neill Bolger’s control let him down when a rare half chance was created following a good move, and overall  in the first half the home team dominated and built a 3-0 lead. The first goal was conceded from a unmarked header following a free . Spartak defended deeper in the second period and looked more compact as a result. A soft fourth goal was conceded when two block tackles were missed. David Agnew struck the bar when well placed and Mick Greene’s cross had the home team in all sorts of trouble.

Mick Costello – one good save on a one on one, no chance for other goals except maybe the first, where reaction to header seemed slow.

Niall Hanratty – given  a torrid time in the first half , stuck well to his task but fitness is an issue.

Rob Deering – composed on the ball, but positionally weak in terms of linking with rest of back four, and exposed the defence for the third goal by keeping the opposition onside.

Martin Costello – injured early on, a big blow as Martin has been in good form.

Cathal Clancy – solid performance and showed plenty of pace and fight.

Mark Bolger – settled down after a ropy start where he dived in and got caught a few times.

Colm O’Sullivan  – needs match fitness , never got to the pace of the game. Plenty of effort but little reward,

Chris Hogan – after a good game last week, concentration levels were well down. Marking and tackling not at same level as previous week.

Shane McInerney – battled hard, kept good shape in second half, but passing astray particularly first half.

Tom O’Driscoll – Not in the game till moved to centre, where he showed composure in passing.

Neill Bolger – usual bustling mix of aggressive play, but searching for form on the ball. 

Steve Browne – frustrated by lack of supply, and sometimes tried to go on his own. Always looking for ball over the top, he needs to work deeper and build moves. 

Mick Greene – a good moment when moving forward, but fitness and sharpness are behind schedule at this stage of the season after return from injury.

Alan Cummins – plenty of chasing around but too often static when receiving the ball, and too easily dispossessed 

David Agnew – touch and control letting him down. A good moment when getting forward to hit the bar, and an emergency stint at right back.

Hafid Mouhad –  tried to get passing going but made little impression going forward and neglected defensive duties.

Saturday team at home to Manor Town 2.30pm

Sunday Team are away to Fetercairn in the Leinster Junior Cup

Over 35’s are at home to Ashbourne

Saturday Team – E.I.D F.C v Spartak Dynamo. Herbert Park 2.30pm

Sunday Team – Queens Park v Spartak Dynamo. Brickfields 11am

Spartak have been drawn at home to Glenview Athletic in the Saturday section of the Leinster Junior Shield.

First team play in FAI Junior cup away to Fettercairn, and in the Leinster Junior Cup, we are home to Aston Village.

Tuesday training in 3 Rock on the front astro pitch- be there for 9.45

Thursday astro training at new venue – St Kilian’s German School on Roebuck Road – be there for 8.45.