Its Everton v Liverpool – or Mick Greene select v Dave Mohan and pals.
Mixed sides, Sat Sun, over 35s
If not a supporter of either choose the one you least dislike!
See you Tuesday.
18.11.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 1,Spartak 2
A burst of attacking play mid way through the first half and some determined second half defending saw Spartak gain all three points in Sallynoggin thanks to goals from wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh.
Missing from the previous encounter with Coill Dubh were Messrs (the right word in some cases?) Hanratty, Grier, Kenny, McEnroe and Love. So it was necessary to revamp the side and the incomers made a decent impression with Derek Ruxton putting in a good shift in midfield alongside Ken Buckley while Aodhan McCahill looked fresh after his German holiday and Dave Thomson made a rare personal appearance!
Spartak started in somnambulant mood and it took some time before they became fully alert following some vocal encouragement.
Then came a period when the Sky Blues played cool, calibrated and precise football with wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh to the fore.
Steve Walsh forced a save from the keeper when in a good position following approach play by Conor Maguire and Neil McGowan. Adam Doran gave the Sky Blues the lead with a controlled, angled volley on 21 minutes after a cross by Steve Walsh had evaded the home defence. Just three minutes later a sublime pass from Ken Buckley sent Aodhan McCahill on the overlap from left back and his cross was swept to the net by Steve Walsh.
Adam Doran retired with a knee injury and Dave Thomson substituted; while Dave was solid in his defensive work, the Sky Blues’ attacking threat was diluted by the change.
The home side began to get a grip on things and Spartak incurred a couple of yellow cards. On 38 minutes Sallynoggin reduced arrears when a free kick, half cleared, was knocked back in to an unmarked forward just 8 yards from goal.
The second half yielded no more goals for either side; Spartak were dogged and determined in defence and, lying deep, barricaded themselves in. Dave Browne headed a dangerous cross over; Jason Northey tipped a headed effort over the bar; Seamus McCahill slid in for an immaculately timed penalty box challenge as the home side pressed. Defensive resilience paid off.
In attack a lack of support and, at times, some overcarrying of the ball prevented Spartak from adding to their total, as Steve Walsh, so influential early on, faded.
Paul Kinsella, on his way back from injury, made an invaluable contribution with goal line clearances in the same attack as the home side threw everything forward.
So Spartak have gone from losing their first three games to a four match unbeaten run.
Upcoming is the game versus the league leaders and title favourites, Liffey Valley.
From Report
Jason Northey 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Dave Browne 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Adam Doran 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Thomson 7
Training Tuesday only in Kilian’s – no training Thursday due to Quiz Night.
Thursday is Quiz Night in Firhouse Community Centre. A full attendance is expected!
4.11.12
Coill Dubh 3, Spartak 3
Spartak returned to scene of last years cup mauling by a strong local side, who have just entered the LSL after success in the Kildare league. There were many detours en route. Its difficult enough for some of our lads to find Marlay!
Needless to say as a result the Sky Blues had the worst possible start and it took only two minutes for Alex Kenny to concede a penalty and the lead goal. The back four were struggling; Niall Hanratty was dispossessed and Alex cleared off the line; Seamus McCahill was all too easily beaten but the locals fired wide; Dave Browne was watching proceedings from afar for a while before finally taking a decisive role.
Gradually Spartak settled down and began to weather the storm. Conor Maguire won a free and Seamus McCahill fired the cross just over. On 23 minutes Dave Browne advanced with the ball into space and fed Conor Maguire whose pass picked out the run of Neil McGowan; Neil’s shot, although touched by the keeper, was too strong and nestled in the corner of the net. A flowing move by Niall Hanratty Steve Walsh and Neil McGowan saw Conor Maguire just unable to direct his header onto the goal.
The threat from Coill Dubh continued and they took the lead from a simple ball over the top and a first time finish as confusion reigned in the Spartak defence. Alex Kenny departed injured and Ken Buckley came on to good effect with Steve Grier dropping back. Spartak then had a lucky escape as a forward evaded Hanratty and McCahill but slipped at the vital moment and Jason Northey saved. Neil McGowan then fired a shot just over.
Coill Dubh had a free well saved by Jason Northey but the Sky Blues then had their best spell. Stuart Love, eventually carded, Neil McGowan and Ken Buckley all put in some decent challenges and the tide began to turn. A long ball from Dave Browne gave Conor Maguire a chance which came to nothing and then a Browne- Walsh- Maguire move saw Steve Walsh’s shot saved at the expense of a corner. Conor Maguire then had a free kick deflected over and a super ball by Steve Walsh gave Stuart Love a great opportunity but his touch was too strong and the chance evaporated.
On 68 minutes came the game’s pivotal moment. A sweeping local move saw the no.11 bear down on goal from the right; his shot was too close to Jason Northey who saved well. From the breakout Dave Browne fed Graham McEnroe, who exchanged passes with Conor Maguire before controlling the return ball perfectly and languidly knocking it past the local keeper. 2-2 instead of 1-3!
It got better two minutes later; again Conor Maguire chased a long Dave Browne ball but was taken down from behind – penalty. Conor himself stepped up and made no mistake.
Coill Dubh equalised with a soft goal on 79 minutes as Spartak dropped deep. In truth there were quite a few hairy moments for Spartak as the local side came in search of the winner. In particular a deflected effort which hit the post and spun back across goal.
Urged on by Barry Crowe the ref finally blew the final whistle after a jittery last few minutes and Spartak were happy to take a point; particularly after a 5-1 defeat in the cup to the same team last year.
Pleasing features of the game included the creative play and combo of Walsh, Maguire and McGowan while Steve Grier did well in midfield and then in defence. In general the effort was excellent and players worked hard and covered well for each other. The unbeaten run now is three games, a good improvement after a shaky start to the season; with plenty of further potential for improvement.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 7 Alex Kenny 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Graham McEnroe 7 Neil McGowan 8 Steve Grier 8 Stuart Love 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 8 Ken Buckley 7 Derek Ruxton 5
The sad news that a former Spartak player, Gerry Power, had passed away aged 48 after a long illness reached us recently from Nicko Farrell.
More recent players may not realise that for most of the 70s Spartak had 5 schoolboy teams at the time Gerry played. His brother Richie played in an older age group and Gerry often stepped up to play at that level as required.
Digesting the news my mind went all the way back to 1976 and a memorable schoolboy game against Raheny Boys away. Spartak were down to 10 men through injury and were 0-2 down at the break. A stirring fight back ensued to force a 3-3 draw with Gerry firing in the glorious late equalizer from the edge of the box. Gerry’s display on the day was typical, full of drive and energy, with no little skill.
Gerry was one of the game’s nice guys with an enthusiastic approach to matches and training and he is fondly remembered by the lads who played with him.
Condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
And you thought it was just a big night for Hano’s birthday!
Alongside the momentous celebration of the birth of one Niall Hanratty, aka Dynamo Child, Spartak will be hosting a quiz night in Firhouse Community Centre.
In between birthday wishes Mick Greene will be asking his usual demonic mix of questons, mostly about the life and times of young Niall – or maybe not.
So get out those atlases, check those flags, which counties surround which , and don’t forget the lord mayor etc. There won’t be any football questions, just a few re Everton!
See you there for a night of fun ,frolics and some amazing Iphone gymnastics.
Mick Greene has polo shirts and sweatshirts for sale – see previous posts.
Date for your Diary – Thursday Nov 8th for Quiz Night in Firhouse Community centre.
If you are in a position to donate prizes, bottle etc please contact Paul.
21.10.12
St Pats SC 0, Spartak 2
The Sky Blues bagged all three points in a low key game in which they failed to press home territorial advantage against an under strength home side who had a number of players out through suspension.
While keeping a clean sheet the Sky blues defence did not cover themselves with glory and the home side had early chances; Alex Kenny headed clear close to the line while Spartak were frequently in trouble of their own making, often through careless or slow distribution.
Steve Grier almost gave Spartak the lead with a fine long range shot which thudded off the crossbar and Neil McGowan, following up, forced the keeper into a good save at the expense of a corner.
Dave Browne then nominated himself for a humanitarian award by halting a Spartak attack to get attention for a Pats forward. I can think of some venues where the action might not be reciprocated!
On 19 minutes a Steve Walsh free was dropped by the keeper and Graham McEnroe almost apologetically prodded home to give the Sky Blues the lead.
Meanwhile the defence continued as before with Niall Hanratty attempting a blind back pass and Dave Browne
conceding a dangerous free for dissent when play was in the other half. Jason Northey pawed away the free.
Spartak then might have scored but after an untidy scramble the ball was cleared.
The second period followed much the same pattern with Spartak failing to press home their advantage, with passing not up to scratch and a certain amount of over carrying the ball; and always at risk of an error at the back. A mix up between Alex and Jason conceded a corner; Steve Grier, who dominated the midfield aerial battles, headed a goalbound shot clear after more defensive mishaps.
Opportunities came to the Sky Blues mostly through the creativity shown by Steve Walsh. He laid on a shot fro Niall Hanratty who fired wide; and then from Steve’s free Graham McEnroe had an effort blocked. A Walsh combination with Conor Maguire put Seamus McCahill through for a good one on one opportunity but he could not find the required finish and the keeper saved. It was no surprise, albeit a big relief, that it was Steve Walsh who laid on the cross for Neil McGowan to nod the insurance goal on 78 minutes. Neil then moments later went on to miss from close range.
While the table will show us moving in the right direction, and three points and a clean sheet are always welcome, this was not one of Spartak’s brighter displays.
Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 6 Dave Browne 6 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Graham McEnroe 5 Conor Maguire 6 Steve Walsh 8
Ken Buckley 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5
Mick “Del Boy” Greene has sourced club gear and its coming in at €33 for a sweatshirt and polo. Both will be crested and have initials. The order will be placed next week and Mick will collect cash over the weekend and at training. NO GEAR WILL BE ORDERED WITHOUT CASH UPFRONT
Leicester have advised that their pitch is unplayable
