Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak 1 EID 5

A strange game indeed. Spartak carried out the game plan pretty well in the first half, against strong and skilful oponents (all Brazilians) and yet ended the half  0-3 down while only conceding one chance from open play; a scoreline that flattered the visitors and left the home side agitated and frustrated. The referee certainly played a big part in that lead.

The second half degenerated as the referee compounded his many errors, and Spartak paid the price for indiscipline.

Steve Browne had an early first half chance, in a game in which Spartak were needing as underdogs to score first, but missed.

On 10 minutes Martin Costello blocked a cross with an outstretched arm and the ref, after many seconds and vociferous calls from the visiting line, awarded the spot kick, which was easily converted. EID went two up from a free kick given  against Dave O’Kelly when it was clear that the forward had dived. Just on half time number three went in after a good move by EID, albeit with the aid of a deflection.  Adam Doran was profligate with a free awarded when he himself was fouled, and also made a strong run and cross from the bye line which just eluded the touch needed to convert.

Spartak gifted goal number 4 on 47 minutes when Chris Hogan, who never got to the pace of the game,  could not control Peter O’Toole’s throw and the ball was returned to the net with O’Toole still at the edge of his box.   

Spartak reduced arrears when Adam Doran shot home following a flick on from Browne.

Steve Browne was dismissed, as always seemed likely, following a build up of fouls and protests. Niall Hanratty spoiled what was up to then a good performance by followed him into the red card list following a dispute over a free kick, but not before losing control of the ball to allow goal  number 5 to be shot home, despite O’Toole getting two hands to the ball. Martin Costello particularly and Dave O’Kelly went close to getting second yellow cards; Martin’s impetuous challenges need to be curbed as he improves as a defender. 

Not an enjoyable day in a referee spoiled game.

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Chris Hogan 5 Steve Browne 6 Adam Doran 7 Dan O’Connell 7

Subs Dave Williams 5 Mike Hull 6 Barry Maguire 6

Saturday team HOME to EID
Sunday team AWAY to Dunboyne – Thursday 6th – AWAY to Liffey Valley
Over 35s home to Greenhills on Sat in the cup

Lusk 1 SDFC 4

After the disappointment of a wasted trip to Lusk last week with a no show from the referee, the over 35’s made the same journey again this Saturday and recorded an impressive victory.

From the start Spartak showed a strong competitive edge and immediately took the game to the opposition. Early shots from Frank McNamee, Ken Byrne and a good running and pressure game from the front two of Rory Campell and Jason Doyle signaled the intent in the away side.  Chris Andrews made a couple of excellent runs and caused a lot of problems early on.  Spartak had further chances when Shay McClafferty and Tom Maher went for the same ball at the back post and Ken Byrne’s shot brought an excellent save from the keeper.

For most of the first half Spartak were on top but could not convert the possession into a goal. Lusk did look dangerous on the break but their attacks were comfortably dealt with by the back four line up of Gerry Doran, Tom Maher, Brian Stafford and Paul McGrath. The final chance of the half fell to Frank McNamee who volleyed over.

Right from the second half kick-off Spartak again laid down a marker with Ray Grady having a powerful shot just over. Gerry Doran started numerous passing movements down the left wing and Paul McGrath and Colm Coffey were combining neatly on the right. The deadlock was finally broken on 50 minutes when a clever interchange between Rory Campbell and Ray Grady put the latter through to finish with a low shot under the keeper. Ray was also the instigator of the second goal a few minutes later when after a great run along the end line he pulled the ball back for Paul Thormley to blast a shot was was saved by the centre half’s outstretched hand. A straight red was issued and Gerry Doran made no mistake from the spot kick.

Lusk were handed a lifeline with 20 to go when a harmless shot spun out of Jimmy Browne’s grasp for an easy tap in goal. Symptomatic of the attitude on the day Spartak bounced right back a few minutes later when Paul Thormley turned and placed a shot into the bottom left hand corner. The scoring was completed when Ray Grady broke down the left and played a great cross for Paul Thormley to notch his second of the game.

In fairness to Lusk they continued to battle until the end and it required good defensive work from the back four and midfielders to prevent any further scoring.

Overall a very satisfying win that was fully deserved given the positive and competitive attitude on the day.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Brian Stafford, Paul McGrath, Shay McClafferty,  Colm Coffey, Paul Thormley, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell,  Ray Grady,  Jason Doyle, Tom Maher, Gerry Doran, Ken Byrne, Chris Andrews.

Everton 3 Spartak 1

A 15th minute screamer from 20 yards by Niall Hanratty gave Spartak the  lead in this game , but it proved not enough against the league leaders. Spartak will look back at chances missed and a penalty conceded as the turning points of the game. Shane McInerney was centrally involved in these key incidents, somewhat unluckily conceding a penalty after a scramble, and heading over when well placed from Mick Greene’s pinpoint cross. 

A second game in three days proved tough going and some players found it harder than others. Mick Greene’s lack of fitness could not carry him through while Mark Bolger was unable to fully shoulder the burden of lone front man;  however Niall Hanratty thrived on the extra game and produced a second man of the match performance in a row.

Before scoring, Spartak had gone close when Hanratty’s cross just eluded Dermot Dooley and then Mark Bolger went close with headers from Greene’s free and then again from Hanratty’s corner. Good work from Chris Hogan and Mick Costello led to the goal which Hanratty cracked home from distance.

Spartak did not retain the lead for long enough and Everton equalised with a shot from even further out, 30 yards, on 25 minutes. On 34 minutes Everton went further ahead with the penalty and early in the second half got number 3 when Cathal Clancy was pulled back when about to clear and the ball was drilled home after a corner.

Cathal Clancy made a goal line clearance and at the other end Shane McInerney then had chances from Greene set pieces but could not convert.  

Substitutes combined to almost almost reduce arrears when Barry Maguire made a chance for Dave Williams, but the shot was delayed and danger averted.

Overall a solid performance against a strong outfit who deserved to win; Spartak, the only side to beat them in the league so far,  would have needed to hold on to the lead a while longer to frustrate them and repeat the feat.

Form Report

Jason Northey 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 8 Chris Hogan 5 Mark Bolger 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Mick Costello 5

Subs Dave Williams 5 Barry Maguire 5

Meath Rangers 4, Spartak 4

Spartak won 4-2 on penalties

If Carlsberg did comebacks, they wouldn’t dream of scripting this many in one game.

An incredible cup semi final in which Spartak were never ahead until the shoot out. Two nil down at half time, 3-2 down with 5 minutes of extra time left, 4-3 down until the last kick of the game, and then behind in the shoot out. All part of a days work for this squad!

The first half was not a happy period for the baby blues. After two minutes,  a Meath forward rounded Peter OToole , who forced him wide, and shot against the frame of the goal. On 7 minutes, Glen Burke wandered infield and lost possession, the centre backs stood off to allow a shot and Spartak were one down.

Spartak had not woken up and Meath looked the likelier to add to their total.

Graham Breen put a header over from a corner and then Spartak finally put a move together with Graham McEnroe crossing for Graham Breen to slam against the post; Ger Byrne’s effort from the rebound was blocked. McEnroe then had a shot blocked by the advancing keeper.

On 36 minutes Spartak went two behnd when an overlap on the left evaded Burke and Anto Doyle and the cross was converted.

Just before half time Glen Burke had a big chance running in from the right but dragged his shot wide.

Possibly the game’s turning point came right on 45 minutes when a fine Meath move tore the Spartak defence apart but O’Toole made an astonishing save.

The solid defensive skills of Kevin O’Toole were sacrificed at half time in favour of the more attack minded Will O’Connell who added passing and energy to the mix. Spartak responded immediately and Breen’s header was just over. Meath were far from subdued and struck the woodwork again before, on 56 minutes, Burke volleyed home after good work by O’Connell to reduce arrears.

On 61 minutes Burke equalised from the penalty spot after Steve Grier was fouled following an amazing passage of play where somehow Meath had scambled clear a number of efforts.

Meath then had a  goal disallowed which brought relief to the Spartak defence. Breen was fouled when through by the keeper but the ref chose not to award anything.  A tiring Anto Doyle was replaced by Stuart Love.

On to extra time and the first half was relatively quiet – but the second period more than made up and yielded four goals. Fintan Grace came on at the start of the second period for Rob Mahon who had taken a  knock. At this point both Tom Flanagan and Graham Breen were virtual passengers due to knocks.

Will O’Connell lost possession and Dave Browne rashly dived in but was beaten and the Meath player drilled home. 

Not to be denied Fintan Grace headed down for fellow sub Stuart Love to force the ball home. 3-3.

The drama was not over yet, as with just a minute left Glen Burke, lagging behind , played on a host of Meath players and Spartak were 3-4 down.

Spartak pressed on desperately and were awarded an indirect free kick in the box in injury time in extra time and Grier drilled home to equalise again.

 And so to penalties. Stand in skipper Fintan Grace crowned an impressive cameo by firmly converting, then the power of Steve Grier’s effort eluded the keeper’s fingers. When Graham McEnroe’s penalty was saved, Spartak were in trouble again.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man – Peter O’Toole saved the next two Meath penalties; meanwhile Tom Flanagan slotted home so it fell to Glen Burke to drill home the winning penalty.

So many villains, so many heroes! (and some were both!!) Spartak have reached their first final since 1991 when both first and second teams won cups on successive nights.

The final is against Dunboyne and will be played midweek of 17th May, probably Wednesday.

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 8 Glen Burke 7 Rob Mahon 6 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Tom Flanagan 6 Anthony Doyle 6 Ger Byrne 7 Graham Breen 7 Kevin O’Toole 6

Subs Will O’Connell 7 Stuat Love 7 Fintan Grace 7.

Phoenix 2, Spartak 1

Early and late errors gifted goals to the home side and negated the hard work done by a Spartak side that battled well if never producing anything approaching fluent football. 

 Within two minutes Phoenix were ahead when Shane McInerney’s pass back was intercepted by a home forward who poked the ball past the advancing Northey.

Spartak responded and Derek McGoldrick had an effort blocked and when the home keeper fumbled a scramble ensued but Tom O’Driscoll or Mike Hull could not force the ball home.

On 26 minutes Spartak equalised, Mick Greene achieving the feat of scoring from 70 yards with a punt when the bounce on the rock hard pitch eluded the home keeper. 

Cathal Clancy was fortunate when caught wrong side of the attacker and fouled him that the ref issued only a yellow card.

A nice move involving TomO’Driscoll and Mick Costello saw Ross Kelly shoot over and Mick Costello also shot wide. At the other end Jason Northey flapped at a cross but the resultant effort was well off target.

Mark Bolger replaced the injured TomO’Driscoll up front at half time, but apart from one or two moments, did not display the energy required to trouble the home defence, and Spartak’s goal chances diminished. 

The second half saw Phoenix enjoy almost total possession, however their shooting efforts were mostly of the barn door variey, and Northey dealt fairly comfortably with those which were on target.

On 93 minutes Spartak had their best chance of the half when Bolgers’ long ball was won by McGoldrick who set up Chris Hogan 15 yards out. His shot was well struck but inches over. Phoenix got the breakthrough a minute later when hesitancy by Martin Costello allowed their no 10 to score from close in.

Spartak worked hard but there were few with the ability to calmly pass and move. Hanratty got forward regularly but found little support. Greene played very deep and was content to thump the ball out. The wide midfielders, Hull and Kelly , could not prompt moves or get to the bye line. In central midfield Mick Costello’s passing at times was perceptive  but he faded as the game went on. Shane McInerney put in a shift in closing men down but never featured as a creative force. Neither central defender was comfortable carrying the ball out.Up front both O’Driscoll and McGoldrick started despite hamstring injuries and gave their best. 

Overall a below par performance by Spartak which will need to be greatly improved upon for Monday’s visit to Everton.

Form report

Jason Northey 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Mike Hull 5 Derek McGoldrick 6 Ross Kelly 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Mick Costello 6

Subs: Mark Bolger 5 Chris Hogan 6 Dermot Dooley 6

Congratulations to Neil McGowan and Jason Doyle who share the last man standing pot after Bolton’s 2-2 draw yesterday.

Liffey Valley Rangers 1 Spartak 2

Some standout performances got the baby blues through to the Tom Cullen cup semi final, not least from Peter O’Toole who capped a fine performance by producing  a really top class save in injury time from an intended back pass by Anto Doyle.  Anto, not a renowned header of the ball, placed the firm header low to Peter’s left and the keeper’s reactions were sharp – Anto must owe him a few pints! 

 Alex Kenny starred at the back as the second half onslaught was repelled time and again; and Neil McGowan provided the coolness and accuracy to score and assist for the goals. All around the pitch there was evidence of a determination and resolve which ultimately won this particular battle.  

Two players who have not always been first choices did extremely well and gave evidence of the depth of the squad. Kevin O’Toole was given the task of marking the best opposition player and stuck to his task.  Dave Browne won his numerous aerial battles.

Spartak made the breakthrough on 16 minutes when a Liffey clearance was returned first time into the box by Alex Kenny. Neil McGowan showed coolness in beating the offside trap, controlling and slotting past the home keeper. Two minutes later Neil had a header saved and a good move ended when Graham Breen’s header from Ger Byrne’s cross was saved. Spartak survived a couple of hairy moments when Dave Browne let the centre forward turn and on another occasion a mix up was finally calmed by Peter O’Toole.

Spartak got their second on 47 minutes, when an attack by Graham McEnroe was half cleared.  Neil McGowan fastened on to the lose ball and crossed for Graham Breen to head his 20th of the season. Neil had to go off with cartilage   trouble just minutes later, and will be out of action for a while.

Spartak had some good opportunities in the second half, with good approach work by Graham McEnroe, Breen and Byrne. Substitute James Finn had two efforts  saved.

But mostly the second half was a case of defending diligently and the back four of Rob Mahon, Glen Burke , Browne and Kenny were on top form – they had to be given the pressure.

Behind them Peter had to deal with some horrible bouncy efforts on a hard and bumpy pitch and took off a couple of fine saves as Spartak struggled to hold possession as distribution from the back was ofen of the urgent variety. Dave Browne headed clear at the back post to clear danger and finally Liffey got a breakthrough on 68 minutes when Ger Byrne lost possession and the ball was switched to the back post where the winger got the better of Glen Burke to touch past Peter O’Toole.

The Spartak defence held out much to the delight of the travelling support (Shane , Mick, Chopper and Peter’s father in law)

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 9 Glen Burke 8 Rob Mahon 8 Dave Browne 8 Alex Kenny 9 Graham McEnroe 8 Neil McGowan 9 Anto Doyle 7 Ger Byrne 7 Graham Breen 7 Kevin O’Toole 7.

Subs James Finn 7 Fintan Grace, Stuart Love, Niall Hanratty.

Flights booked so far (come on lads) – add your name by reply to post when booked

Paul McGowan – flight booked

Frank McNamee – flight booked

Saturday Team- AWAY to Phoenix – Monday 26 April AWAY to Everton

Sunday Team – AWAY to Meath Rangers in the Cup Semi-Final

Over 35’s – AWAY to Greenhills