Spartak Dynamo FC

 
With one week left to play the league table is looking interesting with Graham Breen still favourite to pocket the €50. The points difference though is very close and a good week could in theory deliver the prize to any one of the top 15.

Mick Green would appear to be home and dry on the Know the score game but with a potential 250 points to play for each weekend, the final round of games could yet have a surpise in store.

For all players, be sure you are up-to-date on subs and have at least half of annuals paid to be eligible to claim the prize. Check the Players 09-10 page for current status.

On Saturday the match fell through because of lack of referee and general disorganisation by the home side , EID.   Whereas organisationally they are poor, the team consists entirely of Brazilian players in Dublin who are learning English, and in the ensuing friendly, which they won 4-0, the expected Brazilian mix of skill and muscle met little resistance from the Spartak team, particularly in the first half.

Spartak lost Martin Costello to injury early on, and Cathal Clancy, fresh off the plane from Spain, gave an energetic and robust performance and was our best player on the day. Neill Bolger’s control let him down when a rare half chance was created following a good move, and overall  in the first half the home team dominated and built a 3-0 lead. The first goal was conceded from a unmarked header following a free . Spartak defended deeper in the second period and looked more compact as a result. A soft fourth goal was conceded when two block tackles were missed. David Agnew struck the bar when well placed and Mick Greene’s cross had the home team in all sorts of trouble.

Mick Costello – one good save on a one on one, no chance for other goals except maybe the first, where reaction to header seemed slow.

Niall Hanratty – given  a torrid time in the first half , stuck well to his task but fitness is an issue.

Rob Deering – composed on the ball, but positionally weak in terms of linking with rest of back four, and exposed the defence for the third goal by keeping the opposition onside.

Martin Costello – injured early on, a big blow as Martin has been in good form.

Cathal Clancy – solid performance and showed plenty of pace and fight.

Mark Bolger – settled down after a ropy start where he dived in and got caught a few times.

Colm O’Sullivan  – needs match fitness , never got to the pace of the game. Plenty of effort but little reward,

Chris Hogan – after a good game last week, concentration levels were well down. Marking and tackling not at same level as previous week.

Shane McInerney – battled hard, kept good shape in second half, but passing astray particularly first half.

Tom O’Driscoll – Not in the game till moved to centre, where he showed composure in passing.

Neill Bolger – usual bustling mix of aggressive play, but searching for form on the ball. 

Steve Browne – frustrated by lack of supply, and sometimes tried to go on his own. Always looking for ball over the top, he needs to work deeper and build moves. 

Mick Greene – a good moment when moving forward, but fitness and sharpness are behind schedule at this stage of the season after return from injury.

Alan Cummins – plenty of chasing around but too often static when receiving the ball, and too easily dispossessed 

David Agnew – touch and control letting him down. A good moment when getting forward to hit the bar, and an emergency stint at right back.

Hafid Mouhad –  tried to get passing going but made little impression going forward and neglected defensive duties.

Queen’s Park 1, Spartak 2.

Two fine headed goals won the day for Spartak, who recovered from going a goal down to win.

Following the poor display the previous week, Spartak showed seven changes to the starting line up, with only Browne, Cibirka, Grier and Grace retained.

Spartak started well and a number of gilt edged chances were created with Breen missing out on a couple of one on ones and then Doyle sidefooted straight at the keeper from a good position. The promptings of Flanagan, McGowan and Cibirka were creating openings aplenty and the home goal seemed to be leading a charmed life. Then, against the run of play, the home side went ahead on 42 minutes after a mix up between Browne and Bolger.

The response was impressive  and resulted in the best move of the match just before the break with McGowan turning well in midfield before feeding Cibirka who played in Flanagan and his fine left footed cross was powerfully headed home by Breen.

The fine approach play continued throughout the second half. The only reward came on 50 minutes when Browne’s throw in was flicked on by Breen and Cibirka, stealing in,  placed his header beyond the keeper for the winning goal.

A number of chances were created and either spurned or narrowly missed by Thomson, Breen, Cibirka and O’Connell and Spartak almost paid the price for not getting the insurance goal when an overhead effort from the home side just cleared the bar with minutes remaining.

A valuable win secured in Brickfields and a reduced goals against count, albeit that we remain the second worst team in the league in terms of goals conceded.

Mark Bolger 6 Dave Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 7 Alex Kenny 7 Tom Flanagan 7 Neil McGowan 8 Gintaras Cibirka 8 Anthony Doyle 6 Graham Breen 7 Tom O’Driscoll6.

Subs – Dave Thomson 6 Dan O connell 6 Stuart Love 6 Jason Northey Rob Flanagan not used; Steve Browne no show.

   ……Click on the picture to see a larger image…..From London May 2009.

Saturday team at home to Manor Town 2.30pm

Sunday Team are away to Fetercairn in the Leinster Junior Cup

Over 35’s are at home to Ashbourne

Don’t forget to do the Fantasy Football and Know the score games this weekend. At the moment Graham Breen is favourite for the €50 in the fantasy football league with a very impressive score last weekend.  Surely that can’t be Paul McGowan hovering just above the relegation zone?

Barry Maguire is out in front in the know your score league for the month, closely followed by Mick Green.

Interesting that the same individual is bringing up the rear in both leagues. A record breaking -80 in the KTS league would have been hard to beat last weekend. Keep playing for as long as you can Shane.

2 rounds of games left, all to play for.

SDFC Over 35 game V Colmcilles off. Please meet at dressing room in Marlay at 2pm for training by order of the management.

Saturday Team – E.I.D F.C v Spartak Dynamo. Herbert Park 2.30pm

Sunday Team – Queens Park v Spartak Dynamo. Brickfields 11am

Spartak have been drawn at home to Glenview Athletic in the Saturday section of the Leinster Junior Shield.

First team play in FAI Junior cup away to Fettercairn, and in the Leinster Junior Cup, we are home to Aston Village.

SDFC 0 Dundrum 1

Spartak over 35’s opened their campaign with a one nil home defeat to Dundrum this weekend. The game which was played in searing heat was a closely fought and competitive contest with both teams evenly matched. In contrast to the previous weekend’s friendly when Dundrum opened Spartak up easily in the second half, this was a much more resolute and determined performance from the home side. Dundrum opened the scoring mid-way through the first half with an excellent cross (despite some good covering) providing the in rushing midfielder with a simple header.

The second half saw Spartak push hard for an equaliser and come close on at least 3 occasions. Despite being on top for much of the latter part of the game Spartak could not make the breakthrough that the efforts deserved. With the home side pressing forward Dundrum did have a couple of chances on the break but failed to convert. Overall it was a decent performance from Spartak with some good football played and plenty of effort on display. The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne , Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Leon David, Greg Callan, Ken Byrne, Gavin McLaughlan, Brian Stafford, Glen Carr, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Paul Burke, Mark Byrne, John Hallahan.