Spartak Dynamo FC

28.4.12
Laytown 0, Spartak 1

The Sky Blues turned on an excellent performance in their last Saturday Div 3a game of the season to beat the League Champions on their own ground. In blustery conditions, right on the sea shore, both teams strove to play good passing football in a game which was well controlled by the ref.

The vital score came on 30 minutes when a corner from Steve Walsh caused problems in the box for the home team. Dermot Dooley won the ball and squared to Steve O’Hara who drove powerfully home to the corner of the net from an angle from just inside the box.

Almost immediately, Laytown created their best chance but the forward fired over the advancing Northey and over the bar. Paul Kinsella then made a vital block, while at the other end Steve Walsh’s quick control allowed a snapshot which was saved. When Conor Maguire forced a corner, Mick Greene’s flag kick picked out Conor, whose volleyed was tipped over. Conor later had a powerful shot blocked, painfully, by a defender. Mick Greene also nicked a ball from the forward, strode goalwards and let fly with a long range effort which the keeper held at the second attempt.

Dooley was the driving force in the Sky Blues performance, combative and full of energy in a hard working midfield trio where O’Hara and Stu Love also toiled to good effect. O’Hara’s replacement through injury at half time by Niall Hanratty maintained the standard.

The back four, and keeper Jason Northey, all had solid games defensively, and restricted the home attack, even if sometimes the urge to welly the ball rather than pass it took over. There were minor quibbles. Chris Hogan’s reluctance to head the ball caused a few problems early on as did Mick Greene’s sometimes panicky clearances. But the overall defensive unit was very good.

Paul Kinsella had a crap start to the game but soon wiped away the memories and on the whole had a fine match. For some reason there was a marked reluctance to shake hands with Paul after the match.

Ross Kelly, Steve Walsh and Conor Maguire combined well at times and together were a thorn in the home side’s defence.

Spartak were promoted last season from 6th place in Div 3a and with a few less injuries and absentees might have mounted a more sustained promotion bid this season. Mid season there were too many absentees, as most sorely felt in the cup game v Moorfield when the squad was decimated. Highlights include the Cup wins over Inchicore and then Carrick in Monaghan, a double over Esker Celtic and taking 4 points off the champs.

The Laytown game saw the team sign off the season in style to make it four wins in the last 5 games.

Some stats from the season:

40 players in total played for the Div 3a side during a season of 28 games. There was no player who was ever present.

Those who appeared in 75% or more of the games were – Steve Walsh 26; Fintan Grace 25; Mick Greene 23; Chris Hogan 22; Conor Maguire 22 Martin Costello 21.

In the league, the top scorers were: Steve Walsh 9; Conor Maguire 6; and Ross Kelly 5. Next best with two each were Niall Hanratty and Colum O’Sullivan.

For the keepers, Jason Northey and Bobby Hayes both kept 3 clean sheets, although Jason had 5 fewer appearances.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Chris Hogan 7 Mick Greene 7 Fintan Grace 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Steve O’Hara 7 Steve Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7 Stuart Love 7 Ross Kelly 7 Dermot Dooley 8
Subs: Niall Hanratty 7 Martin Costello 6 Mick Costello 6 Colum O’Sullivan Derek McGoldrick

23.4.12
Spartak 7, Cherryfield 4

Spartak have now almost caught up on their outstanding games occasioned by their long Shield run and three wins in the last four games has moved the Sky Blues up from 9th to 5th.

Spartak produced some good attacking football, but both defences will not look back with any relish on this game. Spartak’s back four were vulnerable throughout as well as hesitant, and constantly seeking the offside call.

It all seemed so easy at the start. Spartak raced into a three goal lead, and Cherryfield’s opener, just on half time, looked very much of the consolation variety and was quickly cancelled to leave it 4-1 at the break

The Sky Blues displayed their inexperience by beginning the second period without bothering to either pass the ball or close opponents down; a recipe for disaster. The passing from the back, often under no pressure , was particularly careless.

However with the Spartak defence in charitable mood, and with the visitors dominating midfield, with numbers 8 and 6 doing pretty much as they liked in the middle, suddenly it was game on as the score quickly reached 5-4 and Cherryfield looking stronger.

A virtuoso display by Steve Walsh, who scored four times, was the difference between the sides and Steve also crashed a solo effort against the bar.

Spartak began well, and Derek McGoldrick , captain for the night on his last home game before he hits New Zealand had two early chances blocked, while Shane McInerney fired a tame effort wide from the edge of the box.
Ross Kelly gave Steve Walsh the chance to round the keeper and score before an incisive Niall Lennon pass made it number 2 for Steve. Derek McGoldrick’s break drew the keeper and gave Ross the chance to fire the third to the empty net from 30 yards. Cherryfield broke through the middle and reduced arrears before Walsh’s corner was nodded home by Dave O’Kelly for number 4.

The home side were well on top and had other chances. A Lennon through ball to Walsh looked likely to provide another but was harshly blown up for offside. Dave O’Kelly raced through but shot straight at the keeper.

Tommy Coady, the visiting manager, formerly of this parish, switched his number 11 at half time to the right wing to give Mick Greene a handful and he was instrumental in two goals to get back to 4-3. A McInerney header intended for Jason Northey was intercepted but Northey saved. The panic which spread through the home ranks was reduced when O’Kelly and McGoldrick combined to allow Steve Walsh to claim his hat trick.

Cheeryfield then hit the post and scored the rebound to make it 4-5, but the Sky Blues calmed somewhat as the substitutes replace tiring legs and O’Kelly and Kelly combined for Walsh to lash in yet again and then finally Greene’s free was nonchalantly flicked home by Niall Hanratty to complete the scoring.

A memorable night for Steve Walsh.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Niall Lennon 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Steve Walsh 9 Ross Kelly 7 Derek McGoldrick 5 Shane McInerney 6
Subs: Steve O’Hara 6 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Paul Kinsella Dermot Dooley

22.4.12
Spartak 0, RSFC 3

Spartak, somewhat depleted by injuries, found themselves up against it with RSFC clinching promotion on the day with a display of composure and calm distribution.

Hard though the midfield trio worked to stem the tide, they could not make up for the overall superiority of the visitors. The quality of passing from the back was the biggest contrast between the sides and gave the RSFC midfield time and space continuously.

A soft opening goal settled any anxiety RSFC may have felt and they finished off the Sky Blues with two excellent breakaway goals in the second half.

Spartak struggled to create opportunities and had to wait for the final minutes for their bets chance, set up by Neil McGowan for Graham Breen to fire over.

The day was also marred by an injury to the visiting full back who fell awkwardly, while Keith Kelly left the fray early with a groin injury and Seamus McCahill battled on , bloodied but unbowed, after a clash of heads.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Keith Kelly 6 Ciaran Keogh 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Alex Kenny 7 Dave Browne 5 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Stuart Love 6 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Steve Grier 5 Ross Kelly 5 Conor Canavan 6

21.4.12
Spartak 2 , Greenhills/Greenpark 3

A somnolent start to this game saw Spartak lack both pace and intensity and quickly go two down; both goals had a touch of offside to them however the second was quite preventable if the Sky Blues had closed down rather than spent precious time appealing.

The visitors were handing out punishment which was leniently dealt with by the ref; and Spartak allowed themselves to be outmuscled.

Ross Kelly had a score chalked off for offside which looked a great deal more legitimate than the visitors two; and Ross also just failed to guide his shot on target after getting past the keeper from Steve Walsh’s pass.

Spartak reduced arrears just before the break when Shane McInerney bundled in Conor Maguire’s attempted cross shot.

The second half saw a big improvement with Greenhills restricted to breaks. On a rare break they scored at the near post on 65 minutes to restore their lead after Ross Kelly’s scrambled equaliser on 48 minutes.

The home side then had more of the play and some great chances were missed; Colum O’Sullivan looked certain to head home from very close in from Niall Hanratty’s corner; Conor Maguire fired over, while Ross spooned over after a neat square ball from Martin Costello.

Conor Maguire, subjected to rough treatment throughout without much protection finally lost his composure; the first time he was lucky to escape a red card, but on the second occasion he had to go.

A soft start and two goals conceded left the Sky Blues with just too much to do, despite a dominant second half performance.

Form Report
David O’Kelly 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Steve O’Hara 5 Mick Costello 5 Conor Maguire 5 Steve Walsh 6 Ross Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6
Subs: Martin Costello 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Derek McGoldrick Niall Lennon

18.4.12
Alpine Express 1, Spartak 1

This midweek fixture featured ref Jimmy Hollowed perform in his own inimitable syle, but he was outshone on the night by an eccentric performance by linesman Glen Burke, who seemed to become overexcited with the responsibility of holding the flag, and at times waved it as if guiding local planes in to land.

Spartak opened the scoring when Conor Maguire’s shot was parried and Ger Byrne celebrated his 30th birthday by tapping in. Before that, a reflex save by Peter O’Toole prevented Alpine scoring but they were soon level when a mix up between Steve Grier and Dave Browne allowed an effort which went in via a post.

Alpine had the better of the opening half and could have been well ahead. But the Sky Blues showed to better effect in the second half. Conor Maguire was guilty of seeking a touch too many on a few opportunities, and also missed a sitter close in.

Seamus McCahill had a couple of decent efforts saved while Ross Kelly had a looping header cleared off the line and Stuart Love just failed to squeeze home from a tight angle.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 6 Alex Kenny 8 Steve Walsh 6 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Conor Maguire 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Dave O’Kelly 6 Stuart Love 5 Ross Kelly 5

16.4.12
Spartak 1 Peamount 0

A bright enough opening saw Spartak briefly on top and go close when Colum O’Sullivan headed wide from a Conor Maguire cross. Gradually the Sky Blues lost control of the midfield and Niall Lennon picked up a yellow card for a mistimed tackle. At the back there was some confusion as Chris Hogan was struggling with the aerial ball, and the back four were caught as they pushed up.

Jason Northey made a good save as Peamount beat the offside trap and then Niall Lennon made a fine interception as the visitors threatened. Conor Maguire’s effort was blocked as Spartak tried to regain supremacy, but Northey then pulled off a super double save as a Peamount forward broke one on one.

Spartak’s best opportunities of the first half fell to Colum O’Sullivan. First Derek Ruxton played in Conor Maguire whose shot was blocked by the keeper; Conor then squared across the goal to Colum, who shot against the post from a couple of yards. Shortly after he broke through again on the left, but his effort lacked conviction and was easily dealt with by the keeper.

Ruxton and Maguire combined well at the start of the second period to feed Lennon, who blazed over. Ross Kelly , on as a sub, miscued Steve Walsh’s cross, and was relieved to be given offside. But on 69 minutes, a Walsh cross evaded all and ran across goal left to right; fellow sub Dave O’Kelly fastened on to the ball and delivered a neat cross which Kelly nodded in from six yards for the vital score.

Maguire had a header saved, while Walsh’s shot was deflected wide as the revised midfield pairing of Ruxton and Steve O’Hara gained a modicum of superiority and made some positive attacking thrusts.

The game petered out to a conclusion, two tired teams having played twice in three days. Nonetheless, a very welcome three points.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Chris Hogan 6 Steve O’Hara 6 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 5 Derek Ruxton 6 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Niall Lennon 5
Subs: Ross Kelly 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Mick Greene 6 Shane McInerney

15.4.12
Shamrock Bhoys 2, Spartak 0.

A highly controversial goal just 11 minutes form the end gave unbeaten Premier league champions Shamrock Bhoys the breakthrough as extra time loomed.

As the ball was played into the box, the home forward, clearly offside, struck the post; the ball ran along the line where Peter O’Toole clutched it; the ref, 30 yards away, awarded a goal. It has to be said the ref had a decent game overall, but what a decision to give in a tight game.

Overall it was a fine match; Spartak survived some scary first half moments as the home side enjoyed supremacy but the Sky Blues came back strongly in the second period.

Peter O’Toole made a series of reflex saves to keep his side in the game, and the defence worked overtime. The tempo of the game was frenetic and the pace was unrelenting, and Spartak matched the hosts for energy and commitment in a fine display.

Both sides had chances. It has to be said the hoem side had more, but for Spartak Ger Byrne struck the woodwork; Steve Grier was inches wide with a header; Graham Breen and Neil McGowan had a flurry of shots saved in the same attack; Seamus McCahill’s inviting cross drifted across the six yard line without getting the final touch. Steve Grier’s free was well saved.

Just as extra time loomed , came the vital, controversial, breakthrough for the home side. Spartak had no option to push on and gamble, leaving themselves open for the second goal on 87 minutes.

The Sky Blues had given their all and left nothing on the pitch; no more can be asked.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Keith Kelly 7 Ciaran Keogh 7 Steve Grier 9 Alex Kenny 9 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Seamus McCahill 8 Dave Thomson 6 Graham Breen 8 Ger Byrne 6
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Glen Burke 5 Paul Kinsella Conor Canavan Anto Doyle

14.4.12
Esker Celtic 2, Spartak 3

While the home side, in hot pursuit of promotion, may have understimated the opposition, Spartak nonetheless produced one of their better displays and might have won by a wider margin. There was some sparkling play from the Spartak attack with Steve Walsh’s midfield promptings causing problems for the home defence.

Niall Lennon was to the fore before the game, displaying his organisational abilities, leaving half the kit at home in the hot press. Luckily Ross had the claret kit, to avoid the lads having to paint on jerseys or go topless!

Colum O’Sullivan swept in Steve Walsh’s sumptuous cross at the back post to give Spartak the lead after good work by Derek Ruxton; and later on 39 minutes Colum touched Conor Maguire’s through ball past the advancing keeper to make it 2-0. In between he dispossessed a defender to give himself a clear run on goal, but scuffed his shot at the keeper and pulled the rebound wide.

A flaky attempt at an offside trap on 49 minutes gave Esker a way back in, as Colum O’Sullivan was left as last man; luckily for Colum, his attempted foul just failed, avoiding a red card. The player recovered his balance and squared to a colleague for an easy finish.

Jason Northey made a number of brave saves throughout; some dodgy punches caused some grief.

A mazy Walsh run was halted at the cost of a penalty kick on 68 minutes; up stepped Conor Maguire, but his weak effort was parried and Colum O’Sullivan blazed the rebound wide from an angle. Mick Costello had a chance on his right foot following a Walsh free but then Walsh finished cleverly from Derek Ruxton’s pass to make it 3-1 before Esker reduced arrears almost immediately with a shot that dipped over Jason Northey’s head.

Fintan Grace and Cathal Clancy spared nothing at the heart of the Spartak defence making timely tackles, clearances, headers and interceptions. Distribution from the full backs, Chris and Conor, who both battled well, was more erratic, with a number of foul throws and weak passes.

Form Report:
Jason Northey 7 Chris Hogan 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 8 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Costello 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Colum O’Sullivan 8 Steve Walsh 8 Conor Maguire 7 Shane McInerney 7.
Subs: Niall Hanratty 6 Neill Bolger 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Niall Lennon Ross Kelly

12.4.12

Spartak 4, Firhouse 18s 0.

The scoreline belies the reality. Spartak led by a lucky goal at half time when Derek McGoldrick’s cross/shot? drifted to the net.

Firhouse dominated the midfield, even the aerial battles, and apart from the goal Spartak’s only chance came from a though ball by Steve O’Hara which Ross Kelly miscued. From a Spartak point of view , it was a disjointed first half, which saw Firhouse retain possession with ease.

Numerous substitutions for the Sky Blues at half time improved the quality somewhat, and certainly lifted the tempo from soporific, although Firhouse will rue their lack of finishing power, missing a few gilt edged chances.

Steve Walsh combined with Conor Maguire and drilled home; Colum O’Sullivan knocked in crosses from Conor Maguire and Stu Love to add to the scoreline.

The Sky Blues got the goals; the younger lads played the football.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Mick Costello 5 Neill Bolger 5 Shane McInerney 5 Ross Kelly 5 Steve O’Hara 6 Derek McGoldrick 5
Subs : Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 6 Niall Lennon 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Martin Costello 6 Colum O’Sullivan 6
Stuart Love 6

11.4.12
RSFC 3, Spartak 1

Although beaten in the end by a better side on the night, Spartak can feel aggrieved about the award of the vital first goal on 51 minutes which saw the ball kicked from Peter O’Toole’s hands; seems the ref was the only one who thought it was not a foul. This breakthrough gave the home side the impetus and confidence at a stage when the Sky Blues were staging a decent rearguard action and could not be faulted for work rate against a side beaten just once this season and Alex Kenny and Paul Kinsella were formidable at the heart of the defence.

Spartak found it difficult to retain possession in the final third; Graham Breen was too often isolated and lacked support. Dave Thomson was booked harshly early on and was somewhat constrained, while Ger Byrne and Conor Maguire featured only sporadically. Conor provided an occasional attacking threat, but his link up play was sometimes sloppy.

Peter O’Toole made a couple of fine saves, but will rue the concession of the second goal volleyed from the edge of the box, however he could legitimately complain that the scorer was not closed down.

In truth, Spartak were confined mainly to half chances, with Conor Maguire going close twice and the ball just eluding Neil McGowan following a corner.

In summary, Spartak will have to show a great deal more to progress in Sunday’s cup quarter final.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Alex Kenny 7 Seamus McCahill 6 Neil McGowan 6
Conor Maguire 5 Dave Thomson 5 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Anto Doyle 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Derek Ruxton 5 Thom O’Driscoll