Spartak Dynamo FC

SDFC 2 St Colmcille’s 2

Spartak over 35’s seemed to be heading for a win on Saturday at home to St Colmcilles when an equaliser 3 minutes from time caused disappointment all round.

Spartak started well and had a couple of early chances in the first half before a breakaway move was finished expertly by Ken Byrne. The joy was shortlived however when direct from the kick-off St Colmcilles attacked down the left, the cross found an unmarked player who volleyed past Jimmy Browne.  As the half wore on St Comcilles got on top and it required a couple of outstanding saves from Jimmy to keep Spartak in the game. On one attack however, Spartak should have had a penalty when a clear hand ball was ignored by the referee.

The second half saw Spartak regain control and after 10 minutes a good move resulted in Rory Campbell breaking free and finishing well to make the score 2-1. Neither side really threatened the goals thereafter until almost on full-time a hopeful shot from a Colmcilles player looped over Jimmy’s head to really dampen the spirits of the home side. A deflated Spartak almost conceded a losing goal when a good shot hit the underside of the bar before being cleared.

While everyone was disappointed with a draw having held the lead for so long, on reflection it was Colmcilles who had the better chances and would certainly argue they deserved the draw.

I think all would agree that the team effort and performance on this occasion was somewhat below par. 

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, John Hallihan, Leon David, Ken Byrne, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Paul Burke, Mark Byrne, Gavin McLaughlan, Ray Grady, Stephen Carr.

Spartak 1, Ballyoulster 2.

Another odd goal defeat for Spartak was mainly the result of two bizarrely conceded goals.

In a game of few chances, Spartak went ahead when Thomson finished neatly after combining with Browne.

Just before the break, a harmless cross, which could have been easily cleared,  was let go by Hanratty and Bolger and the visitors striker could not believe his luck from 5 yards.

The winner came in strange fashion. With Bolger off injured, Spartak dropped concentration from a throw in and the resulting cross was missed by Martin Costello before drifting across goal where Clancy’s attempted clearance only succeeded in driving the ball against the keeper and in to the net.

Just before this O’Driscoll released Browne for a one on one, but he went for the glory option and blazed high and wide.

A very disapponting result and performance.

Mick Costello 5 –  in terms of controlling the 6 yard boxwon’t be happy with goals conceded – good save on 1 on 1

Niall Hanratty – 5 worked hard, passing a bit iffy, let ball bounce for first goal

Dave O Kelly 4 distribution poor both from passes and throw ins.

Mark Bolger 4 – A good goal line clearance, but never got to the pace of the game ; inexplicable error for first goal.

Cathal Clancy 5 wholehearted and unlucky to panic for winning goal

Shane McInerney 6 – battling partership with Martin Costello at heart of midfield

Martin Costello 6 – most improved player pressed into service in midfield and did well

Dave Thomson 5 – took his goal well, but passing and touch will take a bit more work

Rob Deering 4 – did not reproduce form of last week and never troubled his opposite number

Steve Browne 4     Always does well in front of goal when the team is on top, but needs to score the goals that make the difference in tight contests. Combined well with Thomson for the goal, but composure let him down when he missed a great chance late on.

Alan Cummins 5 plenty of energy and some good hold up play but little end product

Tom O Driscoll – 6 brought some guile and made two goal chances when introduced.

Dave Williams 4 – never comfortable on the ball

Colm O Sullivan 4  made little impact overall and missed an opportunity to score or set up a goal after O’Driscoll’s cross.

Chris Hogan and Mick Greene not used.

Portmarnock 0, Spartak 5.

A very shaky start saw the sky blues living dangerously and the home side were somewhat unfortunate not to be a goal or two up in the first 20 minutes. The visitors back four was in some disarray and several chances went abegging.

However once again the attacking talents of the visitors came to the fore.

Against the run of play Gintaras and Glen worked a short corner, and when the home keeper spilled the shot, Stuey Love was on hand to finish. Once again the Spartak attack was on top form and pressure on the defence by Gintaras and Glen led to an error, and Tom Kowal took full advantage by driving home  a well struck shot.

The home side pressed forward determinedly at the start of the second period and struck the bar from close range. Spartak weathered the storm with O Toole making a couple of fine saves, and, with Breen holding the ball up well, always looked dangerous on the break, with the pace of Kowal, Burke and Cibirka. Breen headed home powerfully from the latters corner for the vital third, and also played a sublime return ball for Gintaras to apply a leisurely finish, having rounded the keeper. 

The final goal was a fine low finish from Kowal, from Cibirka’s lay off.

A vital three points keeps up the league interest. Portmarnock will feel hard done by to lose such a close game by 5-0 and the critical difference in this game was the quality of finishing.

Peter O Toole 8 Anto Doyle 7 Rob Mahon 7 Steve Grier 6 Fintan Grace 5 Stuart Love 7 Will O Connell 7 Gintaras Cibirka 9 Graham Breen 8 Glen Burke 8 Tom Kowal 8

subs Kevin O Toole 5 Dan O Connell 5 Martin Costello 5 Shane McInerney, Dave Browne, Neil McGowan not used.

Don’t forget October Fantasy Football competition resuming this weekend, €50 for winner.

Spartak 1 Knocklyon 2

In a tight contest at Marley, ten man Knocklyon overcame a somewhat disjointed home eleven. Spartak were hampered by injuries to a number of midfielders, and not helped in the preparation by the late arrival of Messrs Kenny and Grier (duly fined) .  The midfield problem was not fully solved despite the energetic efforts of Martin Costello, pressed into service in an unfamiliar role. The return to fitness of Graham McEnroe, Tom Flanagan, Neil McGowan and Will O Connell is required.

Alex Kenny, after a recent tonsilitis op,  did not last and was replaced on 20 minutes by Kevin O Toole.

There was little in the game until the 35th minute when the ball broke to Knocklyon after an aerial clash and, athough Spartak had cover in numbers, the quality of cover was poor as the cross pulled back to the near post was drilled home for the opening goal.

A fussy referee booked Tom Kowal for a tackle and sent off his opposite number for dissent before half time.

Spartak started the second half more positively and a clearance off the line from Breen’s header was the best effort, and maybe Spartak’s best opportunity to turn the game in their favour.  Burke hit the post from a driven free after Kowal was upended right at the edge of the box.

Spartak’s attacking play fizzled out as over reliance was placed on the long ball to the ever willing Breen. The quality of passing required to enforce the benefit of the extra man was simply not there.  Increasingly Knocklyon came back strongly to hit the bar with great shot and also convert a somewhat fortuitous penalty after a clash between a forward and Peter O Toole.

As the game moved towards injury time Spartak finally got a really good move together with Martin Costello;s pass starting a move which involved Dan O Connell and Glen Burke, whose cross was converted by Cibirka. 

Unfortunately it was too little too late. Spartak are fortunate that a series of results elsewhere keeps them in the chasing pack, but there are seven teams in that pack. All have lost at least once in a  very even and competitive division.

Form report

Peter O Toole 6 Anto Doyle 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 7 Fintan Grace 5 Alex Kenny 4 Martin Costello 6 Gintaras Cibirka 6 Glen Burke 6 Graham Breen 6 tom Kowal 5

Subs Kevin O Toole 5 Dan O Connell 5 Adam Doran 5.

Spartak 7, Glenview ath 1

The biggest win by the second team for years came only after a really poor opening half and required a considerable increase in effort and application.

Spartak, seemingly expecting an easy game in this Leinster Junior Shield opening round,  started miserably and were exposed three times early on on our left flank, where Mick Greene’s distribution and positioning was below par and the centre of defence , manned by Martin costello and Dave O Kelly , were jittery in the extreme. Spartak were grateful to Mick costello for a one on one save with his feet, before th inevitable goal came via the same route. Claims for offside were ignored.

A late challenge on Mick Costello, unpunished by the ref,  led to a bad eye injury and Mick Greene deputised between the posts, with Alan Cummins coming on and Mark Bolger, who struggled up front,  dropping back.

A number of players were off the pace with poor touch and hurried distribution letting them down.

Passing was really poor until a good move involving Dave Williams and Dave Thomson led to Steve Browne firing home the equaliser. Dave Thomson, Mark Bolger  and Steve Browne all missed good chances.

The second half initially saw little improvement, with passing still poor, until Steve Browne flicked home a Thomson corner.

With the visitors tiring , it took Spartak until the 75th minute to get the decisive third goal, when Alan Cummins broke well from just inside the half to finish as the keeper advanced. 

Better passing by Hanratty and Deering in particular started to give Spartak the upper hand. Visitors heads dropped and Spartak then began to enjoy something of a goal fest with Browne and Cummins adding two more each in the final ten minutes as Spartak enjoyed total superiority of possession as Glenview fell into disarray and the game then resembled a practice game of backs and forwards. 

Spartak were happy to overcome a very poor start, and grateful that the opposition imploded. Roll on round two!

Form Report

Mick Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene 4 Martin Costello 6 Dave O Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Rob Deering 6 Dave Williams 5 Steve Browne 8 Mark Bolger 5 Dave Thomson 5.

Subs:  Alan Cummins 7 Chris Hogan 5 Girel Nji 5 Colm O Sullivan not used.

Thanks to all those players that turned up last night to support the quiz/presentation night. Well done to Mick Greene for putting in all the work in preparation and organisation. Also thanks to Hano and Jason for their help on the night. Great night enjoyed by all.

With the table quiz and medal presentation night on Thursday there will be no training so full player turn out will be expected. The quiz has in the past been a good source of extra funds for the club so please make an effort to be there. Tables of 4 per team with cash prizes for the winners. Even if you come up on your own we will get a team for you. If anyone can get their hands on any spot prizes that would be great too…..bottles of wine, whiskey etc or anything. The venue is the bar in the Firhouse Community Centre. We are kicking off from 8.30pm.

Spartak 2 , Aston Village 2 – Spartak lost 5-4 on penalties

A serious lapse in second half concentration cost Spartak dearly after a rampant first half looked to have the tie sewn up.

In the first half, only the visiting keeper kept Spartak from running riot. He saved well on a few occasions and had plenty to contend with. Despite missing injured players in Alex Kenny, Tom Flanagan and Neil McGowan(who came on for extra time only), and with Will O Connell unnacountably electing to get married during the season, Spartak still fielded a stong side.

A brilliant opening goal , when Cibirka’s corner was met by a powerful McEnroe header to give Spartak the lead, and number two arrived when Cibirka converted Love’s through pass. With Grier dominating at the back Spartak looked very comfortable. Breen missed a good chance for number 3 after good work by Cibirka and Burke.

As often happens, the failure to capitalise fully when on top was severely punished.  Just after half time , a long throw was (again) flicked on by Breen and several Spartak players arrived too late to convert.

A collective switch off from a throw in led to Village pulling one back on 55 minutes, and they were then revitalised, with Spartak suddenly looking shaky in midfield and hesitant in defence. Lack of communication between Grace and Mahon allowed a visiting forward to take advantage of a diagonal ball to equalise.

 Spartak continually created chances with Grier hitting the post and the hard working Burke forcing the keeper into several saves. Breen just failed to connect with Cibirka’s cross.  Dan O Connell wasted a couple of good positions when breaking forward. At the other end, Village also struck the woodwork twice.

Extra time saw Spartak mostly on top, but once again just failing to capitalise.

The regulation 5 penalties finished level, with Peter O Toole saving, but the advantage was quickly lost when the hitherto reliable Cibirka missed his third penalty in a row. Grace, Grier (at the second attempt) and McGowan also scored.

In sudden death, Village scored and McEnroe, hampered by a thigh injury, placed his shot well but not powerfully enough and the keeper dived full length to save.

A game of two halves really and a  bitter defeat considering the quality of the attacking play and a harsh lesson in football realities.  

Peter O Toole 6 Anto Doyle 5 Rob Mahon 5 Steve Grier 8 Fintan Grace 5 Stuart Love 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Gintaras Cibirka 8 Glen Burke 6 Graham Breen 7 Tom Kowal 4.  Subs Dan O Connell 4 Neil McGowan 5.