Saturday Team AWAY to White Church
Sunday Team HOME to Hillcrest
Over 35’s AWAY to Garden Co.
Spartak over 35’s knock the holders Greenhills afc out of the Clifford Cup.
Last Saturday Spartak over 35’s travelled away to Greenhills AFC in the 2nd round of the Clifford cup. Greenhills AFC having all the advantage of being at home and being in the top division in the Seniors Premier Division,two divisions ahead of Spartak were not expecting to be beaten. Drawing on the super performance from the previous week Spartak started with a game plan that saw a very defensive formation of 4-5-1.This worked wonders, which seen us first frustrate the opposition and then pounce with 17 mins to go in the 2nd half to go ahead with a well worked move from Shea Mcafferty and Frank McNamee which saw Frank burst from the middle and calmly slot past the keeper.There were some outstanding individual performances, which crowned Jimmy Brown man of the match for the second week running, Frank Mcnamee’s timeley runs from the middle and Paddy Hughes constant persistence and workman like performance up front. With 17 mins to go Greenhills suddenly came to life and began to throw everything at Spartak (even the kitchen sink) .Spartak showed true grit and defended to save their lives, which also resulted in a few break away chances.Spartak won out on the day 1-0 and the whole squad that were involved should be commended for there tremendous efforts as everyone played a part.
Over 35’s Squad: Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath, Barry Crowe, Mark Byrne,Frank McNamee,Paul Burke, Matt Grimes,Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Leon Davids and Shea Mcafferty, Rory Campbell.
Spartak 35’s 2 Garden County 0
Two weeks ago saw the over 35’s play at home against the league leaders at the time Garden County,which resulted in a 2-0 win for the home team.This was a super performance from the whole squad and a joy to watch from the sideline.From the very start there was some slick passing from the backs
to the middle and some exhausting work done up front.Overall a truly huge performance for the over 35’s which keeps us in touch in the league.Some great performaces on the day were noted, which resulted in Paul Burke scoring two top class goals, Jimmy Brown (Man of the match) making some top drawer saves, Brian Stafford bossing the midfield, and Paddy Hughes being a constant nuisance to their defence.The teams performance overall was outstanding.
Over 35’s Squad:
Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul Mcgrath, Barry Crowe, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Brian Stafford, Paul Burke, Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Mark Byrne, Leon Davids, Brendan Mooney, Jason Doyle, Rory Campbell.
Iveagh Celtic 2, Spartak 4
Spartak began well and totally dominated the opening half with some fluent football. Breen and McEnroe were a handful for the home defence and good passes from the back and midfield gave the sky blues numerous opportunities.
Spartak were not flattered to be 2-0 up at the break; only the home keeper and some loose finishing prevented what would have been an unnassailable lead.
Graham Breen’s header from Keith Kelly’s corner put Spartak one up after 21 minutes; Stuart Love’s glancing header took advantage of good work by Kelly and Breen to make it two.
Seamus McCahill, Neil McGowan, Breen , McEnroe and Love all had other chances in the opening period, but could not add to the total.
As is often the case, Iveagh reduced arrears in the first minute of the second half with a lob from a suspiciously offside position. Glen Burke handled the ball as it crossed the line and the ref initially gave him a red card, which he rescinded on awarding the goal.
As Iveagh pressed forward, Peter O’Toole was called into action and made some smart saves. Seamus McCahill had a clear run on goal but shot wide; Graham Breen poked the ball past the advancing keeper but wide.
Spartak added number three when McEnroe intercepted a pass and crossed for Breen to bundle in; and number four came after a neat move by Kelly and McGowan put McCahill in for an impressively cool finish.
Iveagh did not give up and struck the post, scored to make it 2-4, and Glen Burke cleared off the line, and they blazed over after a slip by Dave Browne.
Good work by McEnroe put Martin Costello in for a clear chance to wrap things up but he opted for a gentle chip into the keepers hands.
A fine opening half and welcome three points.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 7 Rob Mahon 7 Steve Grier 7 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 8 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Graham Breen 9 Stuart Love 7
Subs Dave Browne 6 Niall Tilly 6 Martin Costello 5 Dillon Burke
Spartak 0, Booth Road 4
In a game of few chances Spartak nonetheless managed to concede four goals, despite having the majority of the play.
Spartak lacked creativity with the wide men unable to deliver meaningful crosses and mdfielders failing to get beyond the front men. Up front Ross Kelly and Niall Lennon were restricted to shots from distance, one of which the keeper fumbled onto the post.
A snap shot put Booth ahead and Spartak responded when Dermot Dooley and Ross Kelly both headed against the crossbar but on 41 minutes Mick Greene was caught flat footed and the lob was enough to beat the advancing Gareth Quigley.
Niall Hanratty had a great opportunity to reduce arrears at the start of the second half but snatched at his shot and put it wide.
Dave O’Kelly had a free header from a corner which went wide; and later had a one on one effort saved.
Booth made it three following a corner and a fumble by Quigley and miskicj by Dermot Dooley. The fouth arrived courtesy of Cathal Clancy who obliged the forward by taking him down which resulted in a red card and penalty.
Booth finished; Spartak had some shots.
Form Report
Garrett Quigley 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Mick Greene 4 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Derek McGoldrick 4 Ross Kelly 5 Niall Lennon 5
Subs Ryan Burke 5 Jose Vargas 5 Chris Hogan 5 Neill Bolger Jaso Northey Damien O’Connell
Laytown 1, Spartak 0
A flat performance resulted in defeat when a rare Laytown attack paid dividends.
A strange game played in a high wind which regularly took the ball into some trees and bushes beside the pitch meant the ball was rarely in play.
Spartak lacked the nous and creativity to break down the home defence. Niall Hanratty had the best chance but shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
A disheartening performance.
Form Report
Gareth Quigley 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Derek McGoldrick 4 Dave O’Kelly 6 Rob Flanagan 4.
Subs : Kevin Mannion 5 Colm O’Sullivan 5 Niall Lennon 6 Dillon Burke Ryan Burke Jason Northey Jose Vargas
Please post your selection for Last Man Standing Week 4. This is the final week with an automatic pick. This weeks team is Blackpool. If you dont select a team you will get Blackpool. Also anyone not paid up by the weekend will be eliminated. Fixtures are on the Last Man tab above.
Saturday Team – HOME to Booth Road Celtic
Sunday Team – AWAY to Iveagh Celtic KICK OFF IS 2.30pm
Over 35’s – AWAY to Greenhills AFC in the cup.
The over 35’s game has been switched this weekend due to Wicklow towns pitch being unavailable.The over 35’s are now playing at home against Garden County for a 3:00pm kick off.
Brookfield 2nds 4, Spartak 2
The uninspiring surroundings of Jobstown Park saw Spartak knocked out of the Leinster Junior Shield after a poor display.
Although Spartak went two up, taking advantage of the massive slope on the pitch, the sky blues never looked convincing and were always beaten to the second ball, and sometimes the first as well. On 10 minutes a good move by Martin Costello, Ross Kelly and Adam Doran panicked the home side into putting through their own goal. Brookfield gave warning by hitting the bar before, on 21 minutes, Niall Hanratty picked up a loose ball and drove in from 18 yards.
Errors by Adam Doran went unpunished as the home side pressed up the hill and Mick Greene conceded a free after being vociferous following a challenge.
On 32 minutes Dave O’Kelly missed his tackle and the home side reduced arrears.
Before the break Spartak missed two great opportunities in what was probably the key point at which could have clinched a decisive lead; Martin Costello drove wide from 12 yads after good work by Doran and Hanratty; and when Dillon Burke hit the bar from point blank range, the rebound fell to Ross Kelly who popped it into the keepers arms from a few yards out.
The second half was one of growing pressure from the home side, who introduced three strong subs, and they struck the bar and the post; additionally Dave O’Kelly cleared just over when under pressure and Dillon Burke made a last ditch tackle.
The last ten minutes proved decisive as Spartak ran out of energy in the middle with the front men unable to make any forward progress and a number of tackles were missed as Brookfield drew level. When Hanratty was slow to close down, a deflected shot gave the lead to Brookfield on 85 minutes and a fourth was added when Spartak pressed forward but lost the ball from Dave O’Kelly’s throw.
Form Report
Mick Greene 5 Chris Hogan 4 Dillon Burke 4 Cathal Clancy 5 Dave O Kelly 5 Martin Costello 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Kevin Mannion 4 Adam Doran 4 Ross Kelly 5 Niall Lennon 5
Subs Mark Bolger 4 Ryan burke 4 Killian Barnwell Jason Northey Rob Flanagan
Spartak 3 Pegasus 4
Spartak once again conceded four goals. In a game where the visitors, a solid outfit, had only a half dozen atacks they nonetheless were able to capitalise on virtually every opportunity. Indeed Peter O’Toole hardly had a save to make apart from the goals.
The goals Pegasus scored are worth examining. On 8 minutes a long ball into the Spartak box was missed by Paul Kinsella, and the no.10 was able to evade Steve Grier and drive past Peter O’Toole.
The second, an equaliser at 2-2, was the result of a half cleared corner returned to te the taker; he drilled it from close to the bye line no more than a few yards from goal, and the ball evaded Paul Kinsella and Peter O’Toole, wth the rest of the defence gone awol, to allow a simple tap in at the back stick.
The third arrived with five minutes to go, when Spartak, in search of a winning goal, over committed for a throw in (again!) with both Dave Browne and Steve Grier of the back four out of position, and a cross to the far post and a close range header. The fourth , in injury time, resulted from Dave Browne being caught in possession.
Spartak , for their part, could and should have scored a hatful. However it should not be necessary to score 5 to win a game.
Ger Byrne scuffed against the post from close range, Glen Burke headed against the bar from a couple of yards, the keeper made a double save from Glen when he broke through, Niall Tilly could not force the ball past the keeper from close in , and earlier Niall had checked his run when he had a clear path to goal. Seamus McCahill dragged his shot wide after a good move.
Having gone one down, Spartak had their best spell and scored twice, through Tom O’Driscoll after a good move involving Keith Kelly Ger Byrne and Neil McGowan, and Steve Grier headed in Glen’s corner for number two.
Although well on top, Spartak became complacent and lost their rythm . Pegasus equalised, and Spartak found it hard to find the passes in the second period.
A late cameo appearnce by Graham Breen, on his return from injury, yielded at least four good chances, the last of which was taken by Glen, but that was scant consolation, as it was in the last minute, to make it 3-4.
Its all in contrast to last season, when Spartak were able to defend for long periods and get goals on the break as in the wins over Everton and Knocklyon.
With Colmcilles losing to Pats, Spartak missed a great opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table, instead opting to slide towards mid table.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Dave Browne 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Keith Kelly 6 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Glen Burke 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs Niall Tilly 5 Stuart Love 5 Graham Breen 7
