Spartak Dynamo FC

Meath Rangers 2 Spartak 1

A weak approach in the final third, particularly in the first half, let Spartak down and they slipped to an unexpected and unwelcome defeat in what was a lack lustre performance.

Early domination was not converted to goals due to poor crosses and timid finishing. Grier volleyed over from Cibirka’s corner, Burke headed wide from a Grier long throw; Spartak’s best move of the game saw passes from O’Connell, Cibirka and Love set up Burke 12 yards out but he shot straight at the keeper. Cibirka’s header from Burke’s cross was too weak to trouble the keeper.

On 24 minutes Burke came in along the bye line to appeals from Meath that the ball was out. The ref called “play on” so he then crossed and Love converted to the net – whereupon the ref promptly disallowed the goal and gave a goal kick!

Meath’s first attack brought a great headed clearance by Kenny and then on 38 minutes O’Toole failed to deal with a cross and the loose ball was headed home for a lead totally against the run of play.

This gave Meath something to hold on to and made Spartak’s task more difficult.

Burke chipped over from a  good position and then a superb ball by Cibirka released Kowal, but he shot on the run straight at the  keeper.

Early second half Burke shot wide of the near post after being released by Cibirka and O’Toole saved after Kenny was caught in possession. Disaster struck on 58 minutes when a long cross from Spartak’s left flank was spectacularly volleyed past O’Toole.

Spartak’s response was immediate and Flanagan’s pass released Breen whose scuffed shot beat the home keeper to reduce arrears.

While Spartak had plenty of possession the quality of crosses was poor generally and quite a number of players fluffed their lines in this aspect of the game. Passing was slow and cumbersome at times and many attacks petered out due  to the use of a long ball. Failure to progress with overlapping play against a deep lying defence was costly and there was also a tendency to over carry the ball and get caught in possession.

Spartak sought to equalise and a  good run and cross from McEnroe saw Flanagan get under the ball to shoot over and a late header by McEnroe was straight at the keeper.

Despite having the lion’s share of possession Spartak slipped to a costly defeat.

Form Report

Peter O ‘Toole 5 Fintan Grace 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 6 Alex Kenny 7 Stuart Love 5 Will O Connell 6 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 5 Graham Breen 5 Tom Kowal 5.

Subs Tom Flanagan 6 Graham McEnroe 6 Dave Browne 6 Kevin O’Toole Jason Northey

Spartak 1 Orwell 1 .

Spartak’s late awakening in this game came too late to garner all three points.  Orwell proved doughty opponents and passed the ball better for much of the game, and unexpectedly took the lead on 68 minutes when Grace and Kenny allowed the oppponent time and space to crack a 25 yard shot past Peter O’Toole.

Spartak did not risk Graham Breen (hamstring) and were also without Anto Doyle (temporarily housebound).  It was clear that a number of players had rested on their laurels over the holiday period and had eschewed training in favour of other pursuits. It was a policy which did not pay off in this game, where very few players displayed good form.

A bright start by Spartak soon fizzled out Glen Burke and Gintaras Cibirka up front were at times isolated and also at times chose to take on defenders when outnumbered. Stuart Love and Stephen Grier headed wide from a free and corner respectively and and Neil McGowan ‘s shot on the follow up was deflected over the bar after Tom Kowal’s header was saved.

Early in the second half Fintan Grace put an effort from Neil’s corner wide from close in.

Orwell’s goal stung Spartak into belated action and at last chances were created. Cibirka’s block from the keepers attempted clearance struck the woodork and seemed to cross the line before being cleared. 

On 77 minutes the visiting keeper fumbled a cross and when Will O’Connell’s effort came back off the bar McGowan forced the ball in from close range.

Alex Kenny’s fine pass put Cibirka through in a one on one situation, but the keeper got a hand to the effort at the expense of a corner.  

The final act in the 90th minute came as Cibirka volleyed a ball home, but the referee adjudged that McGowan was offside and in the keeper’s line of vision and disallowed the score.  The final whistle followed seconds later.

 Form report

Peter O’Toole 6 Fintan Grace 5 Robert Mahon 5 Steve Grier 5  Alex Kenny 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 7 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 5 Tom Kowal 5 Will O Connell 6

Subs Graham McEnroe 6 Tom Flanagan 6 Dan O Connell 6 Kevin O Toole Graham Breen. Dave Browne no show.

Spartak 6 Meath Rangers 2

A mix up in arrangements led to Meath playing the first 15 minutes with 8 men. Indeed the match only commenced at 11.20 due to the leniency of the referee. Spartak , on the other hand , had a full squad for the first time this season with seven men on the bench, and also the late arriving  Anto Doyle.

Spartak, having not played since 18th October, were hurried and over anxious in their attempts to take advantage of Meath’s short numbers. Steve Grier hit the bar with a long range free and Burke, out of sorts on the day, returned  the rebound to the keeper. Crosses and shots were rushed and inaccurate. Corners from Cibirka, Burke and Kowal proved ineffective. Burke flicked a shot over and Breen headed over. Breen won the ball and with the keeper out of position but Cibirka and Burke were unable to take advantage.

Almost inevitably, Meath, having reached full strength, scored first following a corner on 28 minutes. Love and Kenny were turned and a snap shot beat O’Toole.

On 38 minutes Mahon swung in a cross which Breen headed powerfully against the bar and then reacted first to nod in the rebound for the equaliser. Better was to follow on 41 minutes when a 25 yard free kick was expertly converted by McGowan, starting his first match since 20th September.

 Just on half time Meath equalised after a headed clearance by Grier , the ball was knocked down our right wing behind Kenny and the cross was converted by an unmarked striker. 

The second half saw Spartak settle to a better tempo and Cibirka hit the post early on,Kenny blazed over the bar from Cibirka’s cross and Grier had a shot blocked on the line.  Cibirka’s turn and cross led to Grier giving Spartak the lead on 55 minutes.  Burke then sent Kowal in but he shot wide.  Breen had to go off with a hamstring injury after an impressive display. 

Kenny’s good work led to a corner and McGowan’s inswinger was volleyed home by Breen for number 4.   Dissent by Kowal over a throw in led to a yellow card.  A neat lay off by Cibirka led to McGowan shooting wide when well placed, but then a good move on 77 minutes by McGowan led to Kowal presenting Cibirka with a simple chance to score number 5.

On 86 minutes good work by impressive substitute Will O Connell , who had earlier headed just over, gave Cibirka the opportunity to return the compliment and present Kowal with simplest of chances for number 6.

Spartak could even afford the indulgence of allowing Dave Browne to hit a close in free kick the proverbial  mile wide while captain and free taker McGowan watched.

A good day to get Meath, who have been playing well, and good return after a long lay off due to weather.

Form Report

P O Toole 7 Kenny 7 Mahon 7 Grier 8 Grace 7 Love 8 McGowan 9 Cibirka 8 Burke 6 Breen 8 Kowal 7

subs W O Connell 7 McEnroe 6 Browne 5

subs not used D O Connell Doran Doyle K O Toole Flanagan

Lads, please bring raffle tickets and cash to training this week- Thanks!

10 Confirmed for golf so far – 12 noon  Sat at Stepaside

Training Tues is Everton fans and sympathisers (captained by Mick Greene) v Liverpool fans and sympathisers (captain Neill Bolger)

Thursday is Leeds fans and sympathisers (Frank) v Chelsea (Dave Browne)

Saturday team HOME to Balbriggan – Won 4-2

Sunday team HOME to Meath Rangers – Won 6-2

Over 35’s HOME to Garden County – Won 7-5

This is the last weekend of league fixtures before Christmas

Spartak 3 Firhouse U-18s 0.

On the Astro at Columba’s college Spartak won a worthwhile contest easily in the end. A fine display by the Firhouse keeper, allied to the small goals used, kept the scoreline to reaspectable proportions.

Spartak were considerably understrength with a few players absent without leave. 

Will O’Connell dominated the midfield exchanges, aided and abetted by Stuart Love, and with Glen Burke lively in attack, Spartak were always a threat. Gintaras Cibirka and Graham Breen were also focal points of general play.

Jason Northey, as emergency full back in Anto’s absence, made a great early clearance in what proved to be Firhouse’s best chance, and the other back four defenders of Grace, Browne and Mahon were solid after the shaky opening. 

The half time introduction of Mick Greene proved decisive and second half goals by Burke, Love and O’Connell sealed the win. 

 From Report

Peter O’Toole 6 Jason Northey 6 Rob Mahon 7 Fintan Grace 7 Dave Browne 6 Stuart Love 7 Will O Connell 8 Gintaras Cibirka 7 Glen Burke 7 Graham Breen 7 Tom Kowal 6 Mick Greene 6 David Agnew 6

Missing men were Anto Doyle, Steve Grier, Graham McEnroe, Kevin O’Toole.

Excused were those who played Sat – Alex Kenny, Neil McGowan, Dan O’Connell

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.

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.

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.

Spartak 2 , Aston Village 2 – Spartak lost 5-4 on penalties

A serious lapse in second half concentration cost Spartak dearly after a rampant first half looked to have the tie sewn up.

In the first half, only the visiting keeper kept Spartak from running riot. He saved well on a few occasions and had plenty to contend with. Despite missing injured players in Alex Kenny, Tom Flanagan and Neil McGowan(who came on for extra time only), and with Will O Connell unnacountably electing to get married during the season, Spartak still fielded a stong side.

A brilliant opening goal , when Cibirka’s corner was met by a powerful McEnroe header to give Spartak the lead, and number two arrived when Cibirka converted Love’s through pass. With Grier dominating at the back Spartak looked very comfortable. Breen missed a good chance for number 3 after good work by Cibirka and Burke.

As often happens, the failure to capitalise fully when on top was severely punished.  Just after half time , a long throw was (again) flicked on by Breen and several Spartak players arrived too late to convert.

A collective switch off from a throw in led to Village pulling one back on 55 minutes, and they were then revitalised, with Spartak suddenly looking shaky in midfield and hesitant in defence. Lack of communication between Grace and Mahon allowed a visiting forward to take advantage of a diagonal ball to equalise.

 Spartak continually created chances with Grier hitting the post and the hard working Burke forcing the keeper into several saves. Breen just failed to connect with Cibirka’s cross.  Dan O Connell wasted a couple of good positions when breaking forward. At the other end, Village also struck the woodwork twice.

Extra time saw Spartak mostly on top, but once again just failing to capitalise.

The regulation 5 penalties finished level, with Peter O Toole saving, but the advantage was quickly lost when the hitherto reliable Cibirka missed his third penalty in a row. Grace, Grier (at the second attempt) and McGowan also scored.

In sudden death, Village scored and McEnroe, hampered by a thigh injury, placed his shot well but not powerfully enough and the keeper dived full length to save.

A game of two halves really and a  bitter defeat considering the quality of the attacking play and a harsh lesson in football realities.  

Peter O Toole 6 Anto Doyle 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 8 Fintan Grace 5 Stuart Love 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Gintaras Cibirka 8 Glen Burke 6 Graham Breen 7 Tom Kowal 4.  Subs Dan O Connell 4 Neil McGowan 5.