Spartak Dynamo FC

19.4.16
Jobstown Celtic 5, Spartak 2

A cup quarter final set for a midweek date suited neither team; but it was the home side who won the contest in emphatic manner.

Steve Grier had a header saved and Spartak had a few cursory efforts in a first half marked by two crucial errors by the Sky Blue full backs. Each erred in turn, with Paul Kinsella conceding a penalty in an effort to cover for the first, while the second saw the local forward sweep in after a calamitous error.

When a rash foul by Paul Kinsella saw the home side fire in a free from a narrow angle, all looked lost.

The Sky Blues finally roused from slumber, and Steve Grier fired against the post. When Tom O’Driscoll was fouled Keith Kelly fired in from the spot.

But Jobstown responded almost immediately with a fourth which effectively ended the contest.

In due course a fifth was added before Steve Grier was fouled and Jeff Gamble scored, again from the spot.

Spartak, although hampered by injuries, simply did not turn up for this one, and could not match the efforts made in the previous round.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Dave Browne 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullagh 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 5 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Young 4

14.4.16
Alpine Oldchurch 4, Spartak 5.

Even the genesis of this fixture was unusual. The league gave short notice, then SDCC called pitches off for the week before changing their minds on Wednesday for this Thursday midweek fixture.

In any event the Sky Blues made a flying start, Jeff Gamble, sent away down the right by Dave Kernan,centred for steve Walsh to clip home. Kernan then conceded a foul from which the homesters equalised.

Spartak did not take long to re-establish supremacy, with Ger Byrne knocking in from Walsh’s free, before Neil McGowan finished a Byrne cross. 3-1 a the break, with Spartak’s midfield of McGowan, Mick Leslie and Niall Lennon well on top.

A dream start to the second period ensued when Jeff Gamble made it 4-1, taking advantage of a poor back pass, and then Dave Kernan tapping in at the back post following a knockdown.

With Niall Lennon and Niall Hanratty carrying knocks, substitutions were made early in the second period.

Whether it was the comfortable lead, or the forced changes, is not certain; but the Spartak team took their collective foot off the pedal, and as a result the home side scored twice in quick succession to reduce arrears.

A fourth goal left Spartak clinging precariously to what had been a comfortable lead and as the game became frantic and physical the referee seemed to lose control of proceedings.

at 5-4 wih 20 minutes remaining, the odds were on the home side procuring an equaliser, but the Sky Blues recovered enough of their composure to hold on, with Jason Northey missing from two yards after Mick Leslie’s free gave him the chance to settle matters.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Dave Kernan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Leslie 6 Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 8 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Lee Malone 4 Dave Browne 5 Jason Northey 4

10.4.16
Spartak 2, Glasnevin 3

No less than three vital goal decisions in the final few minutes of this game swung the tie in the visitors favour.
Firstly a goal should have been awarded after a rebound saw the ball cross the Glasnevin goal line by more than a yard; the referee turned down the appeals; then Steve Walsh, in injury time, scored what surely would have been a winner following good work by Dave Kernan and Jeff Gamble, but was, incredibly, given offside. To add insult to injury Glasnevin then scored an unlikely winner from a blatantly offside position.

Spartak played the entire first half in peripatetic fashion, seeming to expect that the visitors would simply lie down and allow the Sky Blues claim a handy three points in the promotion race. The visitors, embroiled in a relegation fight, had other ideas, and tackled accordingly.

Spartak created no clear chances in the first half, as Glasnevin sat deep and easily repelled the home attacks, such as they were.

Minutes before half time, a fast break by the visitors saw the forward round Jason Northey to reach the bye line, before squaring across the open goal. The hapless Martin Costello, racing back, hacked his attempted clearance to the net for an unfortunate own goal.

Substitutes Steve Grier and Jeff Gamble imbued the home side with some urgency, and a powerful Neil McGowan effort was saved by the goalie’s feet in instinctive fashion. Kevin O’Toole had a chance but produced a tame effort.

Then came three goals in a three minute spell within the last ten minutes. Neil McGowan fired in right footed from the edge of the box to equalise, but almost immediately Dave Browne was caught napping by the winger who raced away, then crossed for a scoring header. 1-2 with less than 10 remaining.

Spartak had regained their fighting spirit, and when Mick Leslie’s drive was parried, Jeff Gamble headed in a second equaliser.

Then came the injury time twist in the tale, as joy turned to despair following those decisions.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Paul Kinsella 5 Martin Costello 5 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 5 Keith Kelly 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Jeff Gamble 7 Steve Grier 7 Mick Leslie 7

5.4.16
Spartak 5, Terenure Rangers 0

Spartk huffed and puffed for an hour in the first midweek game in Marlay before making the breakthrough against a stubborn Terenure Rangers side, who had the two best chances of the opening half. Jason Northey saved the first effort, while a weak punch from Jason gave the visitors a glorious chance from close range which they blazed over.

Passes were slow, crosses poor. When the goalkeeper fumbled a Dave Browne cross, there was no Spartak player near enough to take advantage. Jeff Gamble displayed some trickery, but the final ball was too often poor.

Spartak began the second half in more determined mood. Jeff Gamble sent Dave Kernan though from the right, but his shot was weak. Neil McGowan and Jeff Gamble over elaborated when an early shot might have proved effective; Jeff Gamble tried a spectacular overhead kick which was well saved.

At the other end, an error by Neil McGowan gave the visitors a chance, but Jason Northey saved.

Gradually Terenure were being worn down by waves of attacks, but it was not until the introduction on the hour of Steve Walsh, who had missed a number of recent games for various reasons, that the pressure told. Almost immediately he scored from close range.

Dave Browne and Ger Byrne combined to provide Neil McGowan with number 2, and when another Dave Kernan run was stopped at the expense of a corner, Steve Grier heading in from the flag kick.

As Terenure wilted, Spartak found their rythm and when Jeff Gamble was fouled at the edge of the box, Steve Walsh found the top corner with his free.

As injury time approached, Thom O’Driscoll laid on a one on one for Steve Walsh, who completed his first hat trick of the season, moving him on to 11 goals for the season, one ahead of Steve Grier but adrift of Jeff Gamble on 17.

A nap hand and a clean sheet on a satisfactory evening.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 7 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 6
Thom O’Driscoll 6 Ger Byrne 6 Jeff Gamble 7
Subs: Steve Walsh 7 Keith Kelly 6 Neil Walsh 6

3.4.16
Spartak 1, Bray FC 0

A couple of decisive moments swung this cup tie in Spartak’s favour. With 20 minutes left on a sticky surface, Dave Kernan controlled Steve Grier’s throw on the left and wriggled his way past the full back, who brought him down rather rashly just inside the area, despite appearing to have adequate cover. Steve Grier duly converted the spot kick for the only goal.

Not long after Bray had their own penalty claim for a handball, but this time Spartak were penalised outside the area, and the free came to nothing.

Spartak worked hard first half, and in reality only created only one chance. Dave Browne’s cross seemed ideal for Ger Byrne, eight yards out, but he headed wide. Dave Kernan cleared off the line and Bray kept Jason Northey busy. The central defensive partnership of Paul Kinsella and Martin Costello were defiant in the face of Bray’s attack, and kept their scoring chances down to a minimum.

Bray fired a couple of free kicks uncomfortably close, and Martin Costello and Thom O’Driscoll broght off notable blocks when danger threatened. A neat move by Ger Byrne and Dave Kernan saw Steve Grier head one down for Neil McGowan to fire a fine shot from 25 yards, well saved by the Bray keeper.

Martin Costello broke out from the back, and after a long run could only find the keeper with his cross.

The game generally was nip and tuck, with Bray having more possession but few real chances for either side.

So it was left to Jason Northey to tip one over in the last minute; the Bray keeper was up to make the extra man, but Spartak scrambled it clear and so were into the next round.

It was victory borne of good defending and hard work, rather than fluent football.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Paul Kinsella 8 Martin Costello 9 Kevin O’Toole 7 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 6 Niall Hanratty 7

20.3.16
Spartak 1, Ben Bulbin Utd 1

Spartak went into this game with a precipitous grip on first place in Premier 1, and several teams in hot pursuit, including the visitors.

The first half was a tight affair, Benbulbin punishing a Paul Kinsella error to take the lead, and Steve Grier equalising with a towering header from Thom O’Driscoll’s free kick. Just prior, with the score at nil-nil, Steve Grier had taken advantage of a poor kick out to put Ger Byrne through on goal, with the goalie scrambling back for position. Ger, however, rushed his effort and fired over the bar. Not long after, Thom O’Driscoll was taken down in the area, but the referee waved play on, much to the visitors’ relief.

Gradually Spartak took control as the second half wore on, striking the crossbar twice, and Benbulbin clearing off the line from Dave Kernan’s header.

In injury time, a Thom O’Driscoll corner was headed back down by Neil McGowan to Keith Kelly, whose shot from eight yards struck the underside of the bar but stayed out.

The watching, injured, Stuart Love must have longed for some goalmouth action. With the ball bouncing around the visitors’ goalmouth in those closing stages, Stuart would surely have forced one in from close range!

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neil McGowan 6 Kev O’Toole Mick Leslie

13.3.16
Glasnevin 0, Spartak 3.

After a scoreless first half, the game was settled by two Dave Kernan goals and one from Steve Walsh.

On a pich declared unplayable just two weeks before, the drier conditions led to to a bumpy and uneven surface, making control difficult for both sides. Dave Kernan had the best chance in a fairly uneventful first half, but fired too close to the keeper.

Almost immeditely the second period began, Spartak took full control, Kernan firing home from ten yards after tenacious approach wok by Thom O’Driscoll and Ger Byrne. Steve Walsh converted Dave Kernan’s cross for number two shorlty after, and despite Glasnevin’s efforts to throw men forward, Spartak stood firm, especially in central defence with Paul Kinsella and Karl McCullagh formimg a solid partnership.

Dave Kernan capped a man of the match performance by slotting in the third goal on 70 minutes.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5, Dave Browne 6 Martin Costello 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Kernan 8 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Leslie 6 Neil Walsh 5

1.3.16
Pioneers 3, Spartak 0

Injury struck early and often for the Sky Blues in this table top clash with the favourites for the league title. Martin Costello did not survive the warm up, while injuries to Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly saw Spartak force to make two substitutions in the first 20 minutes.

Pioneers are a powerful oufit, but it was Spartak who fashioned the best chance of a tight first half. Ger Byrne sent Steve Walsh through on goal, but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Pioneers struck the bar with their one chance of note in the opening period.

The game looked all over a candidate for a scoreless draw, with neither attack mustering much in the was of getting on top of superior defences, but the game turned on a goalkeeping error. Paul Byrne’s pass was intercepted by a local forward, whose shot looked well within Jason Northey’s capacity to deal with, but inexplicably the ball ended in the net, despite being a pretty inept effort.

Pioneers had the breakthrough the wanted, and Spartak tried gamely to get back in the game; Jeff Gamble volleyed just wide, while Ger Byrne almost scrambled one in from close range.

But in the dying minutes Pioneers added two goals, the third being the last kick of the game, as Spartak were stretched in search of goals themselves.

A disappointing result.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Paul Byrne 5 Neil McGowan 5 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Young 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Leslie 5

24.1.16
Spartak 4, Swords 1

Conditions for this game were difficult after the recent heavy rain – long grass and soaked pitch was a severe tester for players who had not played for some weeks.

Spartak’s ranks were depleted by injuries and absentees, but the available players put in a solid performance, full of energy and pace, particularly in the first half.

Spartak raced into an early two goal lead, but not before the visitors had a clear chance as Mick Leslie misjudged a header. Luckily, the forward prodded the ball straight at Jason Northey.

The opening goal came from a free taken by Neil McGowan after Keith Kelly was fouled. Mick Young’s miscue fell straight into Ger Byrne’s path and he made no mistake from close range. Jeff Gamble then won a penalty, which he took himself. It was not his best effort, but the ball squirmed under the diving custodian to make it 2-0. Jeff Gamble then spurned a decent chance after Mick Young’s run and cross, and Ger Byrne raced onto Jeff Gamble’s header but shot wide. Swords responses were sporadic and generally their attack was well held by the Sky Blues’ back four.

The visitors had a couple of decent efforts in the second period, aided by some distracted defending and erratic clearances. In one scramble, only great work by Paul Kinsella and Jason Northey prevented what seemed to be a certain goal.

It was not until the 83rd minute that Spartak made the game safe with a third score after a couple of chanacs had gone astray. Dave O’Kelly headed over from close range. Keith Kelly, who had earlier been just off target with a blistering shot, made a lung bursting run down the right flank, outpacing several defnders, before squaring for Jeff Gamble, who applied the simple finish. Swords responded by reducing arrears a minute later with a snap shot, but with a couple of minutes remaining Mick Leslie released Ger Byrne who ran from inside his own half to apply a calm finish for goal number four.

In the circumstances, a highly creditable performance.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 7 Mick Leslie 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Jeff Gamble 7 Ger Byrne 7 Mick Young 7 Paul Byrne 7
Subs: Dave O’Kelly 7 Neil Walsh 6 Steve Grier 5

9th and 10th Jan 2016

On Knocklyon Astro Spartak turned out in numbers for two weekend games.

Firstly the over 35s took on the saturday boys, who won 4-3, somewhat against the run of general play. The possession stats showed the senior men in control, but sharper finishing saw the younger crew come out on top. Goals from Ciaran Bermingham, Darren Ritchie, Ross Kelly and Niall Hanratty for the winners, while Ciaran O’Sullivan, Kevin Nolan and Gavin Johnson netted for the over 35s, who had a large squad in attendance.

The Sunday lads took on Tallaght City and came out the wrong side of a 5-3 scoreline. Steve Grier (2) and Ger Byrne were the scorers, with Neil McGowan and David Kernan missing a hatful of chances between them. The concession of 5 goals will be a talking point, some of which were soft in the extreme. Some of the Spartak players are to be congratulated on a wonderful Christmas period, especially Steve Grier who must have had a wonderful Yuletide!

League games resume on 16th/17th.

Form Reports
Saturday
Niall Hanratty 8 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 7 Steve Browne 7 Tom Maher 6 Mick Leslie 7 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Ritchie 7 Ross Kelly 6 Conor Canavan 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Dave O’Kelly 7 Ciaran Bermingham 6

Sunday
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Mick Young 6 Karl McCullough 6 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 6 Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Keane 6