Spartak Dynamo FC

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

21.3.15
Spartak 4, Loughshinny 1

A fine first half display in Marlay saw Spartak gain the three points, with just the minor blemish of conceding an injury time goal spoiling the clean sheet in a sporting contest.

Spartak took an early lead when Jeff Gamble drilled home a free kick to the top corner of the net, after he had been impeded, eschewing his usual sidefooted efforts.

A fine Canavan press and pass released Mick Leslie, and he transferred to Ciaran Keane whose cross just eluded Jeff Gamble.

Dave O’Kelly made a terrific saving tackle before a goalkeeping error by the visitors’ custodian, who lost the ball in the sun, gave Ciaran Keane a tap in.

Loughshinny continues to press and had a header just over, while Steve Harris also made a decent stop.

Quick thinking and a throw in from Barry Maguire gave Jeff Gamble the chance to make it three nil with a low shot.

The second period saw Loughshinny press hard to reduce arrears but the Spartak defence was sound, with Joe McCarthy making some good tackles and interceptions.

At the other end Mick Leslie, Jeff Gamble ,Conor Callis and Mcik Greene all had opportunities but it was not till the 82nd minute that Ciaran Keane showed composure in adding a fourth goal,

A sliced clearnace by Kevin Loftus gave the visitors an injury time corner, and poor organisation saw them reduce tha margin.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Barry Maguire 7 Mick Greene 6 Joe McCarthy 8 Dave O’Kelly 7 Ciaran Keane 6 Conor Canavan 8 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Browne 6 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Kevin Loftus 5 Conor Callis 6

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

14.3.15
Spartak 0, Sallynoggin Pearse 3

In tough conditions in Marlay a Spartak side, somewhat weakened by injuries, went down to the league leaders.

With plenty at stake, Sallynoggin displayed early nerves and Spartak spurned a number of early chances, the best two of which fell to Ciaran Keane, but a poor touch foiled his first chance, and he fired wide with the second, very presentable, opportunity.

When Sallynoggin took the lead, it appeared Joe McCarthy had been impeded in his attempt to clear before the loose ball was fired in. A quick break on the half hour saw the lead doubled.

A good move early second half saw Joe McCarthy burst forward before releasing Jeff gamble down the right. His cross looked good but Mick Leslie fired over.

Ciaran Keane did get the ball in the net from Niall Lennon’s pass, but was given offside when clearly on.

There was no lack of endeavour by the Sky Blues, but poor execution let them down.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 6 Joe McCarthy 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 6 Shane McInerney 7 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Barry Maguire 5 Darren Browne 5

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

Members paid up according to rule may attend and vote.

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

7.3.15
Cherryfield 8, Spartak 1

When Spartak reduced arrears and made it 1-3 with 11 minutes remaining, there was at least a faint hope that they might get something from a game, albeit against the run of play. However, in an abject last few minutes, Spartak conceded 5 unanswered goals to record a humiliating defeat.

The first half began badly when Chris Hogan failed to clear a cross and Spartak went one down. Chances which fell to Mick Leslie, Ciaran Keane and Jeff Gamble were all spurned before Cherryfield added to their total when Mick Leslie was dispossessed. Injuries to Daniel Sage, who had started well, and also to Jeff Gamble hindered the Sky Blues, and it was no surprise when Cherryfield added number three on the hour.

Again Spartak created a few chances, but Conor Callis and Ciaran Keane did not hit the target, befor Ciaran Keane converted Joe McCarthy’s cross.

Then came the shameful collapse.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 4 Daniel Sage 7 Joe McCarthy 6 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Canavan 4 Jeff Gamble 5 Niall Lennon 4 Evans Sarpong 4 Mick Leslie 4
Subs: Conor Callis 4 Thom O’Driscoll 4 Barry Maguire 4

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

28.2.15
Rush Athletic 4, Spartak 1

With injuries an issue, Tony Kavanagh was pressed into action in this game and rolled back the decades in a solid display.
Overall the performance was satisfactory, but Spartak were holed under the waterline late in the first half by two poor refereeing decisions, just after Evans Sarpong had a “goal” ruled out for offside, and Ciaran Keane had eschewed a close range chance by blazing wildly over from a great position.

Ushering the ball over the end line, Tony Kavanagh was blatantly pushed over with the forward allowed to run in and score. Almost immediately a high tackle was ignored as the home winger drove in number 2.

Steven Harris was pressed into action and made some good saves, while controlling his area well, despite carrying a troublesome injury. Joe McCarthy played the 90 for the first time and put in an impressive performance. Overall the work rate could not be faulted.

The Sky Blues who came strongly into the game in the second period and Kevin Loftus and Ciaran Keane gave Jeff Gamble a good chance, but his close range effort was saved. ten minutes after the break Ciaran Keane got a touch to Mick Greene’s corner and Jeff Gamble fired in to reduce arrears.

Just past the hour mark and Mick Greene had a nightmare couple of minutes; deflecting in a corner to make it 3-1 to the home side, and almost immediately missing a penalty, and the rebound, when Jeff Gamble was tumbled in the box.

When Ciaran Keane was caught in possession with 10 to go, the home side got number 4 to clinch the points. Mick Leslie fired over as he Sk Blues continued to attack, but the gap could not be closed.

It did bot feel like a 4-1 game; those crucial, late, first half goals proved decisive.

Form Report
Steven Harris 7 Mick Greene 6 Mick Leslie 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Joe McCarthy 8 Ciaran Keane 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 7 Evans Sarpong 7 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Quinn 6 . Sub Kevin Loftus 6

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