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
14.10.12
Spartak 4, Beechwood 2
Spartak produced a good performance gaining their first win in four games thanks to some clinical finishing and a spirited all round effort in a fast paced encounter on a rainy morning in Marlay.
The benefits of a squad closer to full strength saw fine impacts from the substitutes to clinch the win. With Keith Kelly , Paul Kinsella and Graham McEnroe all still to return the squad now looks in better shape for the tough battles ahead.
A high intensity start saw the Sky Blues immediately pressurise their opponents; Steve Walsh’s free was touched away by the Beechwood keeper, Niall Hanratty had a shot blocked, a sweeping move by Neil McGowan and Walsh put Conor Maguire away to shoot over; then Neil robbed a home defender to shoot home low right footed from the edge of the box. And that was just the first four minutes!
Almost immediately Stuart Love headed wide from close range but then the visitors got their act together and, combined with some defensive errors, came very close to scoring. There were several near misses and also a couple of scrambles which featured point blank saves by Jason Northey and goal line clearances by Hanratty. Beechwood were aided by the fact that the Spartak defenders’ distribution was often poor, sometimes alternating between too slow or just panicky.
Steve Walsh had a chance when put through by Neil McGowan but the keeper saved; Steve Grier’s free was saved after Stuart Love was fouled;and when Conor Maguire swung over the resultant corner Seamus McCahill missed a glorious headed opportunity. Beechwood then had a good move and finish but much to home relief the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside. Steve Grier then fired just over just before the break.
Amazingly there was only one goal to show for a half which saw some fine attacking play from both sides.
A neat move in the 47th minute saw Spartak extend their lead; Stuart Love passed inside to Neil McGowan who quickly fed Steve Grier on the burst; his sublime pass gave Conor Maguire the opportunity, and he showed great composure to finish.
On 56 minutes Beechwood got back in the game; With Spartak penned back, Neil McGowan’s clearance was short and when the ball was played back in he was turned in the box and the striker blasted home. Adam Doran then substituted for a hamstrung Neil McGowan to immediate effect. A neat move with Steve Walsh and Stuart Love saw Adam provide the “hollywood” ball, releasing Conor Maguire who neatly rounded the keeper before finishing.
Beechwood continued to press and the game looked far from safe; and when Aodhan McCahill fouled a player at the corner of the box they reduced arrears on 72 minutes. While the Spartak wall obediently lined up a good ten yards away the visiting player popped the ball into the far corner past a startled Jason Northey without waiting for a whistle. 3-2.
At that point the spread betters on the sideline were punting heavily on a Beechwood comeback.
However it was the Sky Blues who struck the decisive blow with the redoubtable Niall Hanratty playing a wonderful pass down the line to Derek Ruxton, who fired in a trademark cross. Seamus McCahill and Conor Maguire were lurking but the defender intevened with a handball. Conor Maguire stepped up to despatch the penalty and complete his hat trick on 81 minutes. Ken Buckley came in for Seamus McCahill to ensure Spartak closed the game out as the ref allowed 6 extra minutes.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 7 Dave Browne 7 Neil McGowan 7
Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 7 Conor Maguire 9 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Adam Doran 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Ken Buckley 5
13.10.12
Spartak 3, Glasnaoin 2
A game which looked to be heading comfortably the home side’s way was only decided by the narrowest margin against a Glasnaoin side who battled their way back into contention when seeming to be down and out; fitness issues persist for a Sky Blues side which was unable to press home their advantage when in the lead. The second half saw both sides drop the tempo considerably.
Glasnaoin began the better and unforced errors and miskicks by the Sky Blues gave the visitors a couple of half chances, but on 11 minutes a long throw by Anto Doyle was forced in by Ross Kelly. Spurred on by this success, Spartak pressed and Neill Bolger’s run and cross saw Lee Dunne steer a shot home in the 20th minute. Spartak had a period of superiority and Lee then latched on to a defensive error but his attempt was pushed on to the post by the keeper. A long run through by Neill Bolger saw him place his shot too close to the keeper.
Spartak then took their foot off the pedal as the visitors raised their game and when Cathal Clancy was pulled up for a foul the free kick, from a good position, was fired home with Bobby Hayes’s positioning somewhat suspect. Cathal was then fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he apprehended a forward bearing down on goal.
Glasnaoin equalised when, with the Spartak defence pushed to half way, Dermot Dooley was caught in possession almost level with his defence; the forward raced through to equalise.
So 2-2 at the break.
The first minute of the second half saw the best move of the game; Conor Canavan threw the ball in to Cathal Clancy on the left and Cathal fired a long diagonal pass to Chris Hogan, running from right back. Chris played a neat one two down the line with Lee Dunne before delivering a tantalising cross low across the six yard box. Ross Kelly just failed to make contact at the near post, and with Mick Costello ready to strike at the back post the defender intervened to poke the ball past the keeper.
The game certainly dropped in tempo, perhaps understandably with a few players returning from injury and lay offs, and play generally was becalmed. Spartak’s efforts were generally restricted to breakouts; Neill Bolger was the main source of energy and drive and he just failed to find Ross Kelly after a strong run down he left, while later he had an attempted chip just wide. With a little composure added to his undoubted energy and endeavour Neill could have been the player to put the tie beyond all doubt. The Sky Blues back four recovered their composure somewhat after an error strewn first half and Glasnaoin were restricted to long range efforts.
Roll on the draw for Round 2!
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Anto Doyle 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Ross Kelly 6 Lee Dunne 6 Neill Bolger 7 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Barry Maguire 5 Joe Roe 5 Conor Callis
7.10.12
Beech Hill 1, Spartak 1
With both sides idle from league duties, this proved a welcome run out on a perfect day for football.
Spartak should have taken the lead when combined play by Conor Maguire and Steve Walsh saw Stuart Love stab against the post from point blank range, with Ross Kelly’s follow up being blocked. Derek Ruxton had a shot pushed away by the keeper while Lee Dunne headed over from a corner.
A long ball saw a forward beat Jason Northey to the ball, but he then over ran the ball harmlessly, and luckily for Spartak, wide. Maguire then conceded a free kick which was despatched past Northey on 43 minutes.
The Sky Blues had an escape when Dave Browne was caught in possession, but a few minutes in the second half a move by Dunne and Maguire gave Steve Walsh an opening which he fired home, celebrating his elevation to skipper for the day.
Paul Kinsella went close as did Maguire and Kelly just failed to connect with Maguire’s fine pass as the Sky Blues pressed for a winner.
Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Niall Lennon 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Ross Kelly 6 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7 Lee Dunne 6
6.10.12
Spartak 2, Swords Celtic 0.
A topsy turvy turnaround week for the Sky Blues, who came badly unstuck in the previous game against Sallynoggin Pearse, but recovered strongly to inflict defeat on the league leaders.
On a fine day in Marlay, with the pitch in good condition, the game featured quite a bit of good football and Spartak will be well pleased with the points, while the visitors will wonder how they failed to convert so many chances; this was a reversal of the trend and the outcome three weeks ago when Swords came out on top.
Swords had lost for the first time the previous week, and looked short of confidence in front of goal, while the home side were resolute in their efforts to atone for a tame display the week before.
Naill Lennon, Neil McGowan and Adam Doran combined calmly to probe the Swords defence; in general the Spartak side played a pleasing brand of controlled football in the first half, while Shane McInerney busied himself breaking up Swords play.
Spartak created many first half chances, but failed to capitalise. Neill Bolger, a busy presence up front, lobbed wide when in the clear; he also shot wide when Niall Hanratty put him through, and was denied a stone wall penalty when he was felled racing into the box. Hanratty was then put clear by Adam Doran, but shot wide.
The home defence proved vulnerable to the ball over the top, and Steve Grier, capable stand in keeper, had to come to the rescue on a few occasions. When Steve was beaten, Mick Costello made a timely goal line clearance.
In the second half Chris Hogan and Adam Doran, so effective in getting forward from full back in the first half, played it long to a greater extent and Spartak did not look quite as cohesive. A great run and finish by Neill Bolger on 49 minutes edged the Sky Blues in front.
Costello headed over from McGowan’s free kick before, on 69 minutes, sub Lee Dunne combined with McGowan and Hanratty before Mick Costello fired home spectacularly from the edge of the box.
Steve Grier brought off a fine tip over save to keep Swords at bay as the visitors frustration grew and finally the no. 7 saw red for a bad challenge on Hanratty.
Two fine goals, a clean sheet and three points against the leaders. A good day’s work.
Form Report
Steve Grier 8 Chris Hogan 7 Adam Doran 8 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 7 Niall Lennon 8 Niall Hanratty 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Costello 7 Neill Bolger 7
Subs: Lee Dunne 6 Joe Roe 5 Barry Maguire 5
30.9.12
Spartak 2, Sallynoggin Pearse 3
A gift goal 8 minutes from time gave the visitors the points after Spartak had made all the running in the second half.
Some games go to the team which has the fewer chances, and this was one of those.
Spartak were disrupted when Jason Northey pulled up in the warm up, and Steve Grier took his place between the sticks. While Steve took off a few good saves, this game will be remembered for his poor passing out from the back. The winning goal came when, taking a goal kick and trying to find Keith Kelly out wide, Steve mishit his pass to a forward, on the edge of the box, who duly capitalised.
The first goal was similar – Steve’s clearing kick travelled 30 yards and when the ball was lobbed back in towards the unprotected goal, Dave Browne’s header was directed centrally and went straight to another visiting striker, who had a simple task. On a positive note, Jason Northey has kindly offered kicking lessons to Steve.
This was Spartak’s best game so far for chances made; Conor Maguire was a constant menace up front and will hardly play as well again without scoring.
Spartak should have led early on but Conor Maguire’s effort which beat the keeper struck a defender and looped on to the top of the net. Steve Walsh fired wide and Graham McEnroe’s surge into the box was halted by a tackle. McEnroe’s cross was then turned in by a defender for the Sky Blues’ equaliser; but some weak midfield tracking allowed the visitors to play through for an effort which Steve Grier saved well but the rebound was converted.
It was a different Sky Blue team which emerged after the interval; the visitors were pushed back and the balance of play swung completely in Spartak’s favour. A first time pass by Maguire put McEnroe in for a sweetly struck equaliser; then Steve Walsh fired just wide.
Conor Maguire then fastened on to a long ball and from out wide wriggled his way past two defenders in a solo effort but was foiled by a good save from the keeper when a finish would have been a candidate for goal of the season.
Niall Hanratty’s blazing shot was goalbound but was blocked, at some personal expense, by a defender; then Hanratty shot just wide when teed up by Stuart Love. Maguire then had a good chance saved.
Then, in a pivotal moment, McEnroe opted not to put Steve Walsh in for a clear run at goal and the chance was lost.
Sallynoggin gave notice of their intent when hitting the post on a break, but they then got out of jail courtesy of that late goal.
The general display was good , particularly when dominating the third quarter, and Keith Kelly’s return to fitness is a welcome one.
The reality is that after three games, and nul points, the concession of soft goals makes the task of winning games doubly difficult. And this was one game which should have yielded three points.
Form Report
Steve Grier 5 Keith Kelly 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Alex Kenny 8 Dave Browne 6 Ken Buckley 6 Graham McEnroe 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Stuart Love 6 Conor Maguire 8 Steve Walsh 6
Subs Paul Kinsella 5 Jason Northey
29.9.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 8, Spartak 1
This game, on the old sloping pitch at Rochestown Avenue, was overshadowed by an injury to keeper Bobby Hayes which necessitated a trip to hospital; Bobby bravely dived at the forward’s feet and sustained a nasty head injury. Luckily the visit entailed no more than stitches to repair the damage.
The score at the time of Bobby’s departure was 1-1, Adam Doran having headed an equaliser from Niall Lennon’s free after the Sky Blues had uncharacteristically conceded from a corner.
The thankless task of replacing Bobby fell to Mick Greene, who had the misfortune to receive little protection from his team mates, and who, due to injury, was severely restricted.
Spartak’s misfortune did not end at Bobby’s injury; due to cry offs a number of players carrying knocks had to turn out and the second half took its toll as the home side, in a clinical display of finishing, drove home their advantage. Everything Sallynoggin hit went in, while, remarkably in such a one sided score, Spartak had many chances themselves to score but finished ineptly.
Joe Roe would not have been flattered with a hat trick, Neill Bolger volleyed over with the keeper out of position, with Adam Doran, Shane McInerney and Niall Lennon all having efforts to add to the score.
So a poor defensive display and equally poor at the other end.
To record that the home side were bottom of the league prior to this game, and that this was their first win, only adds to the pain.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 4 Adam Doran 7 Fintan Grace 5 Keith Kelly 5 Shane McInerney 5 Niall Lennon 4 Conor Callis 4 Dermot Dooley 5 Joe Roe 4 Neill Bolger 4
Subs: Mick Greene 5 Glenn Dowling 5
23.9.12
Spartak 1, Shamrock Rovers (Wexford) 5
The Leinster Junior Cup draw matched Spartak with the Wexford Premier Champs, one of the best junior sides in the country; and injuries, illness and other absentees made the Sky Blues task all the more difficult.
When faced with superior opposition it is always imperative that the underdog scores first; preferably after a decent scoreless time to build frustration in the favourites. Unfortunately the Wexford boys scored from a corner after just 7 minutes when the forward was able to stoop in the centre of the six yard box to head home after his run evaded the static home defenders.
The game ran upon predictable lines, with the visitors no.9 and no.6 in a class apart; having said that the goals were conceded by elementary defensive mistakes, clinically punished, rather than by brilliant play. The second came directly from a stray defensive pass; the third was another clever run by the no.9 and the fourth from another stray pass by the overworked Spartak defence.
The Sky Blues pulled one back when Dave Browne’s throw was fed to Graham McEnroe by Dave Thomson and Graham’s through ball was expertly converted by the lively Conor Maguire.
A last minute penalty, after a comical mix up, completed the visitors’ scoring.
The work rate and endeavour of the Sky Blues showed a good spirit; and losing to a superior side is never a disgrace; but the real tests for this re-shaped side lie ahead in the League. There were encouraging signs of determination but defensive qualities need to be strengthened to avoid the basic mistakes of recent games.
22.9.12
Spartak 1, Leicester 3
After the neat brand of football played in the previous game against the league leaders, Spartak put on a deeply disappointing display.
The game as a spectacle was ruined by a poor referee who favoured neither side but got in the way of a decent contest with bizarre decisions. While Spartak, having less of the play, were punished slightly less than Leicester it made for a frustrating afternoon for both sides.
The midfield battle was lost early; early injury to Steve O’Hara didn’t help but the Leicester midfield did as they wished throughout the game, with superior fitness a telling factor. Dermot Dooley and Graham McEnroe, so influential in good display in the Swords match, were sorely missed for composure and quick passing.
An early Leicester goal arrived when Dave O’Kelly was caught wrong side of the winger ; his defensive colleagues were unable to prevent the cross being converted but Spartak quickly equalised after a fine run by Conor Callis, who drew the keeper and presented Jeff Gamble with a tap in for his first Spartak goal.
Leicester then scored two in three minutes without reply; the Sky Blues defence did not look like a solid unit for this period of the game.
Spartak rallied and had a brief bright spell before half time ; Shane McInerney will wonder how he did not force the ball over the line from a yard out when a score that would have brought the Sky Blues back into the game seemed inevitable ; Jeff Gamble and Joe Roe also had chances, while Mick Costello headed over.
Second half fatigue affected the Sky Blues more than Leicester, compounded by an irresponsible red card for Dave O’Kelly, and only Conor Callis presented an attacking threat; but he lacked support. Leicester always carried the greater threat and Cathal Clancy was relieved to see his interception rebound off the home crossbar.
A day on which very few players in Sky Blue can look back on with satisfaction.
Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O’Kelly 4 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O’Hara 5
Subs: Mark Brady 6 Conor Canavan 5 Barry Maguire 5
