Spartak Dynamo FC

SDFC Over 35’s 1 Peamount 3

The over 35’s commenced the new year programme with a disappointing home defeat to league leaders Peamount.

Starting with a defensive formation and a lone striker, Spartak sought to play a containing game in the early stages. The plan almost came unstuck in the first few minutes when a neat through ball left their away striker one on one with Jimmy Browne who pulled off an excellent save. After that early scare Spartak came more into the game and created a couple of half chances that fell to Mark Byrne.

Spartak went 1-0 up midway through the first half when a pass over the top from Brian Stafford was chased by Ken Byrne who was taken down for a clear penalty. Paul Burke expertly converted.

As the end of the first half approached there was an ominous sign of things to come for Spartak when the opposition midfielder somehow managed to head over the bar from the goal line having managed to escape all defensive cover from a corner. Shortly after their striker beat the offside trap to again go one on one with Jimmy but on this occasion he finished the chance to level the scores. Right on half time Spartak went behind when the cross from a cleared corner seemed to evade everyone except the Peamount player standing a few yards from goal who neatly flicked the ball into the net.

The second half in truth was comfortable for Peamount. Their third goal game after 10 minutes when again the offside trap was sprung to leave a player completely free from defensive cover. Despite being a good 30 yards from goal he neatly chipped the ball into an empty net.   Spartak were restricted to only one chance in the half that fell to Ken Byrne who headed wide.

Overall it was disappointing to lose but the main difference between the teams was the level of fitness with the away side getting progressively stronger and more in control as the game wore on. Set pieces were also disappointing on the day with a number of close range free kicks and quite a few corners failing to trouble the keeper.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Leon David, Brian Stafford, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran

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.

The numbers at training have fallen sharply off . We have trained regularly including weekends, weather permitting.

Of the last 10 sessions , only 4 players have made the 70% attendance mark .  A number seem to be waiting for warm weather training.

Improvement required!!!!

Spartk 2 Everton FA 1

A thrilling victory in which nine man Spartak held out manfully against the odds to record a third successive win.

Spartak began well and were denied a clear penalty when Browne was fouled from behind in tha act of shooting. A corner from O’Driscoll caused panic in the vistors rearguard but the ball was cleared.

Everton took the lead on 26 minutes when their left winger, looking offside, crossed and the centre forward controlled and stepped past Greene to drill a shot past Northey from 18 yards.

Spartak turned the game on its head with a quick fire burst when free kicks from O’Driscoll were headed home by Hanratty and O’Kelly in successive minutes on 37 and 38 minutes.

O’Kelly, Browne and Clancy were booked for entering fruitless discussions with Ref, who surprisingly did not alter his decisions to concur with the Spartak lads’ observations. In fact the opposite was the case. Mick Costello and McInerney went into the book for tackles.

McInerney led the midfield offensive, sparing nothing in energy and aggression  and lacked only a sharper touch going forward.  Costello was imperious a te back and with Clancy formed a tough back two. Deering, having remembered most of his gear on this occasion, held concentration and both Niall Hanratty and Mick Costello worked tirelessly with the occasional good get out ball. Dave O Kelly weighed in with his second goal of the season and Mick Greene settled well after a dreamy start.  O’Driscoll used the ball well and linked with colleagues; Browne, leaving aside the lapse in temperament, worked hard as a virtual solo attacker in the second half.

 The second half was a story of the Spartak midfield and defence working flat out to contain the visitors. They succeeded to the extent that Northey was relatively untroubled, and he dealt safely with most that came his way, the occasional fumble apart. The occasional break out was led by Browne and a couple of snap shots kept the visitors keeper alert. 

Clancy got his marching orders for a trip on 70 minutes, and Browne was let down once more by his fragile mentality and saw red again. He has yet to accept that the refs always have the final word. The suspensions may hit hard.

 Overall it was the performance of the season to date.

 Form Report

Jason Northey 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Mick Greene 7 Martin Costello 9 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 9 Niall Hanratty 7 Rob Deering 7 Steve Browne 5 Tom O Driscoll 7 Mick Costello 7 Sub Dermot Dooley 6 Mike Hull Ross Kelly

Training ON in Killians tonight

Training is OFF tonight and Saturday match is also OFF.

Training on Tuesday in Three Rock…..check back here for any updates.

Training tonight Tuesday 5th – OFF – Pitch Frozen

Thursday training in Kilians on at 9 – will text if off.

Saturday fixture away to Peamount.

Thanks to Shane McInerney who organised the golf outing and night out in Toast – very enjoyable and well attended.

Thanks also for the hard work in selling tickets and arranging prizes to Derek Keane , Andy Dunne and  Frank McNamee .

Jason Doyle and Mick Greene sold copious amounts of tickets beforehand and Jason Northey starred on the night in extracting cash from local punters.

For those who missed the night out and did not return your tickets, its not too late to make a contribution – see you on 27th.

The annual post Christmas challenge takes place at St Columbas College on Astro on Sunday 27th December. We are on from 2 till 4.