Semi Final Defeat

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

29.3.15
Valeview Shankill 1, Spartak 0.

Spartak went down by the narrowest of margins in a tight semi final encounter in Loughlinstown.

A jittery defensive start saw the Sky Blues concede a deflected goal after 4 minutes, following a series of defensive errors.

Steve Grier had a header knocked off the line as Spartak regained composure, but Neil McGowan had to make a sliding intervention at the back after more defensive uncertainty.

Spartak’s best move came just before the break when Steve Grier, Aodhan McCahill, Stuart Love combined to send Neil McGowan down the left. His cross too the keeper out of the game but Marcel Bajors, a full stretch, headed wide.

Valeview might have added to their lead early in the second half, but the shot was wide.

For the remainder of the game Spartak camped in the opposition half, but created few clear cut chances. Marcel Bajors had a header tipped onto the crossbar and over. Neil McGowan had a chance whipped off his toe. Steve Grier looked certain to score until a fine block thwarted him.

A late run by Steve Walsh saw him fire wide from the edge of the box.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 5 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 5 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5
Sub: Tom O’Driscoll 5

All’s Well that Ends Well

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

7.4.15

Parkvale 2, Spartak 5

The first midweek game saw Spartak eventually come out on top on a fine spring evening in Terenure.

Stephen Walsh had missed a couple of chances, one cleared off the line, before goals by Martin Costello and Neil McGowan put the Sky Blues ahead. Some sloppy defensive work, evident throughout the first half, allowed the home side back into the game and Parkvale levelled before the break.

The second period saw a greater level of urgency from Spartak , but Parkvale were buoyed by their recovery and fought hard.

Just past the hour mark, a Martin Costello foray was halted at the expense of a corner and Neil McGowan headed in from Stephen Walsh’s flag kick.

Then came a sustained period of attacking play from Spartak which saw three penalties awarded; Runs by Steve Walsh and David Kernan were halted unceremoniously in the area and a Tom O’Driscoll goal bound shot was handled on the line with a consequent red card for the defender.

Neil McGowan and Martin Costello saw the keeper get to their efforts before Stephen Walsh fired the third penalty home.

Karl McCullough converted at the back post for his first goal for the club to complete the scoring.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 David Browne 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 6 Mick Leslie 6 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
subs: Paul Kinsella 6 Niall Lennon 6 Joe McCarthy 6

Another Clean Sheet

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

22.3.15
Beech Hill 0, Spartak 2

Spartak came out on top in a bruising encounter in Donnybrook thanks to a clean sheet and two Steve Grier goals.

The Sky Blues began well with Dave Kernan raiding on the right and forcing the home team to some desperate defensive measures; a handball on the line seemed to give Spartak the breakthrough, but the ref awarded a free out, against Stu Love, to general surprise. In the opening minutes good work by Karl McCullough, Kernan and Martin Costello saw Steve Grier fire home, left footed, first time from the edge of the box.

Martin Costello and Steve Grier combined to give Stuart Love a clear run at goal but he fired wide.

On 20 minutes Steve Grier headed home Steve Walsh’s corner to complete the scoring.

The second half saw Spartak create many chances; Costello, Love, McGowan , McCahill and Walsh all missed opportunities, some easier than others.

A succession of free kicks and bookings conceded by the home team gave Spartak territorial advantage but they could not add to their lead.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Dave Kernan 7 Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Tom O’Driscoll 5 Seamus McCahill 6

Grier Brace Decisive

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

15.3.15
Queens Park 0, Spartak 2

In bumpy and breezy conditions in Brickfields, the home side handed out some early introductions, conceding free kicks in the process.

Spartak huffed and puffed but Steve Walsh’s efforts went direct to the keeper, while Stev Grier had a valid penalty claim denied. Neil McGowan’s header brought a fine save from the keeper.

The breakthrough came when Steve Grier headed powerfully home from Martin Costello’s corner

Early in the second half Queens Park suffered a red card from an innocuous situation, and shortly afterwards Dave Kernan’s run brought a corner. The ball was half cleared and Stev Grier fired a left footed volley to the roof of the net.

The ten men gave a good acccount of themselves and Spartak could not add to their lead.

A clean sheet and three points.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 6 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 6 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Ken Buckley 6 Ciaran Keane 5

AGM 2015

Filed under: General news, Over 35 team, Saturday LSL team, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

The AGM will take place in the Eden on Tuesday 31st March at 7pm.

Members paid up according to rule may attend and vote.

Spartak On Top

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

8.3.15
Spartak 6, Confey 0

On a bumpy Marlay pitch the Sky Blues recorded their third home win in successive weeks, this time against a Confey outfit who have struggled in the league so far.

Missing some influential players, Spartak made light of the absentees and quickly took an early lead when Steve Grier’s header from Dave Browne’s assist drifted all the way to the net. That lead was quickly doubled when Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh combined to send Marcel Bajors though to score. Marcel got his second when the goalkeeper fumbled a cross, giving him an easy tap in.

Confey had a couple of breaks and Jason Northey spilled the ball but was bailed out by an alert Aodhan McCahill.

Steve Walsh converted Dave Browne’s pass to make it 4-0 at the break.

Martin Costello and Marcel Bajors combined to give Oskar Moore the chance and he converted from close in.

Martin Costello availed of a defensive mix up to fire in number 6.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 8 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 7 Oskar Moore 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Niall Lennon 6 Joe McCarthy 6

Oskar Bravo

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

1.3.15
Spartak 3, Glasnevin 2

On a day when rain, sleet and snow swept across Marlay Park, Oskar Moore marked his debut as a late substitute with a well taken winning goal in the 90th minute.

The game started really well for the Sky Blues with Dave Kernan firing in from long range in the second minute and then , just minutes later, Martin Costello ran on to Neil McGowan’s pass to finish neatly for 2-0.

Steve Grier headed Steve Walsh’s free on to the bar as Spartak seemed set to dominate.

But a reduced work rate saw Glasnevin come back into the game, and a deflected shot reduced arrears.

The whole complexion of the game changed on 40 minutes, when Keith Kelly’s challenge brought a penalty and a red card.

Salvation was at hand in the form of Jason Northey, who brought off a great save from the spot kick.

Spartak had to face the second period with 10 men, and in a good performance, had several good chances to get a third, while containing Glasnevin’s thrusts. Steve Grier poked an effort against the post; Steve Walsh had a great run and shot only to see his effort strike the inside of the post and stay out.

With just eight minutes left a defensive lapse saw the visiting forward fire high into the top corner, and at that point, with hail and snow arriving, Glasnevin looked to be favourites.

But Spartak’s substitutes combined to fashion a winning goal, as Marcel Bajors’ pass saw Oskar Moore race in to find the net in the final minute of normal time.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 David Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Ken Buckley 6 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Marcel Bajors 7 Oskar Moore 7

Cup Progress

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

22.2.15
Spartak 5, Woods Utd 0

In the end a comprehensive victory in tiring conditions in Marlay, with the pitch made heavy by overnight rain which continued throughout the match, making it a test of stamina for both sides.

Woods had a great early chance, but fired across goal and just wide, and it took quite a while for the sky Blues to work up a head of steam.

On 22 minutes the breakthrough came when Steve Grier poked home from ten yards, showing good feet in a crowded penalty area. Ten minutes later a fine run to the bye line gave Stuart Love to finish from 6 yards, and then Steve Walsh raced onto to a Stuart Love header to fire in number 3.

Keith Kelly and man of the match Karl McCullough marshalled the defence and secured the very welcome clean sheet.

Spartak added number four when Dave Kernan fired in after a good move by Steve Grier and Steve Walsh.

Keith Kelly, sent down the right by Neil Mcgowan, crossed for Stuart Love to add number 5 from his customary range.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullough 8 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Ken Buckley 7 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Dave Browne 7 Mick Leslie 6

Spartak Advance in Cup

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

25.1.15
Spartak 2, Beech Hill 0.

A tough cup tie against opponents who had won on their recent league visit to Marlay saw the Sky Blues maintain a clean sheet in a battling performance on a sticky surface with a tricky wind blowing across the pitch.

Some fine early work by Stuart Love set the tone and Spartak were up for the contest; a series of corners produce nothing as Martin Costello and Steve Walsh failed to deliver from the flag kicks.

On the half hour a forward burst by Steve Walsh was halted, but Dave Kernan retrieved the ball, raced forward before passing to Martin Costello, whose neat lay off was fired in by Walsh.

Steve Grier’s free was tipped over before Steve Walsh’s neat finish from Martin Costello’s pass gave Spartak the cushion of a two goal advantage.

The introduction of the substitutes gave Spartak an out ball as they sat deep and Keith Kelly’s cross almost provided fellow sub Thom O’Driscoll with a third goal.

Not the best performance but a safe passage through to the next round.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Ken Buckley 6 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Thom O’Driscoll 6

Spartak Topple Leaders

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

18.1.15
Marks Celtic 1 , Spartak 5

With the Fettercairn pitch surprisingly declared playable, Spartak headed out to play the league leaders on a bitterly cold morning.

The pitch was grassy and very bumpy and did not lend itself to flowing football.

Spartak took the lead on 10 minutes a combination between Dave Kernan and Marcel Bajors saw the latter’s cross cleared for a corner; Steve Walsh’s flag kick saw Karl McCullough make the decisive challenge and Neil McGowan pounced to knock in from close range. All the good work was almost undone as a silly Stuart Love challenge conceded a soft penalty; Jason Northey got down to his right to parry the spot kick away, but minutes later was beaten by a long range effort for the equaliser.

Martin Costello drove in a loose ball on 35 minutes to restore the lead, and then Spartak opened the second period well; a Kernan/Steve Grier combination gave Costello a chance, and his blazed shot was touched over. Steve Grier headed in from the corner kick to make it 3-1.

Spartak then played some of their best stuff and created a succession of chances – Steve Grier had a driven effort just wide; Karl McCullough fired over from close range; Marcel Bajors had a fine header cleared off the line; Steve Walsh fired just over , from play, and then from a free. The local team’s frustration grew and the no. 7 was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Dave Kernan’s run was halted illegally and Martin Costello fired home from the spot, and the win was capped when a Grier/ McGowan move saw Walsh fire home from a narrow angle.

A satisfactory morning’s work.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Kernan 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullough 8 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Grier 9 Marcel Bajors 7 Martin Costello 8 Steve Walsh 5.
Subs: Mick Leslie 6 Dave Browne 6 Ken Buckley Niall Hanratty.