Spartak Dynamo FC

12.4.19
Wayside 1, Spartak 2

Spartak came away with three points from an entertaining Friday night astro clash.

Wayside edged possession in the first half, but Spartak smashed two off the bar and scored.

Owen Marron cut inside and fired off the crossbar, while Niall Hanratty had a good shot also shudder the frame of the goal. In between, Billy O’Neill volleyed in sweetly from Steve Grier’s flick on, midway through the first half. One of Spartak’s better moves saw Amin Afsar fire wide of the near post after good work from Niall Hanratty and Owen Marron.

Ian Harmon and Steve Grier had snuffed out most home attacks, and Wayside failed to overly trouble Jason Northey.

Stuart Love, stretching, was just over iwth a header form Amin Afsar’s cross, while Niall Hanratty fired over after exchanging passes with Owen Marron.

On 67 minutes a Neil McGowan cross was turned into his own net by a home defender to make it 2.0.

A harshly awarded penalty gave Jason Northey the chance to shine, making a triple save before Stuart Love completed the clearance. Wayside then fired one in from the edge of the box to set up a late flurry. With all subs used, Niall Hanratty had to limp out the final few minutes as Spartak held firm.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Jimmy Dawson 8 Ian Harmon 8 Steve Grier 8 Kevin Cunningham 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Neil McGowan 7 Stuart Love 7 Amin Afsar 6 Owen Marron 7 Billy O’Neill 7
Subs: Kamel Moussa 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Dave Browne 6.

7.4.19
Bohs SC 1, Spartak 2

An injury time penalty miss by the home side meant Spartak held on to the three points. It looked odds on a draw, but the spot kick was blazed over.

Indeed it was only in the last minute of normal time that Spartak took the lead. Steve Grier fired in a free from the edge of the box, having earlier seen a similar effort hit the woodwork.

Spartak took a first half lead when Owen Marron was first to touch in a long free kick from Kevin Cunningham. The hosts had created chnaces, struck the wood work themselves.

For a long spell it seemed that one goal would suffice, but confusion in the Spartak defence saw Bohs equalise with 15 minutes remaining. Substitutes made an impact, Billy O’Neill went close, while Jeff Gamble livened up the Spartak attack.

Then came the late late show.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Jimmy Dawson 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Steve Grier 8 Ian Harmon 7 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Owen Marron 6 Kamel Moussa 6 Cian Stenson 5
Subs: Mauro Segovia 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Billy O’Neill 7 Amin Afsar 5

31.3.19
Spartak 2, Tymon 0

A goal by substitute Kamel Moussa in the 83rd minute proved decisive, and finally broke Tymon’s resistance; Owen MAroon added number two in injury time.

Spartak began well, and Cian Stenson was just wide from Neil McGowan’s pass. Niall Hanratty’s snapshot was just wide; Tymon blocked an effort from Niall Lennon. Several more half chances came Spartak’s way, but it was not all one way traffic as the visitors number 10 was just wide with a good effort.

Frustration grew as Niall Lennon just failed to play Owen Marron clear, while Niall Hanratty unwisely attempted a chipped effort, easily saved, when Cian Stenson put him clear.

Tymon had a header from a corner just wide asthe tie threatened to drift away from the Sky Blues.

Finally, Cian Stenson’s cross travelled across goal for Kamel Moussa to drive it back inside the post, before Owen Marron added the second.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Ian Harmon 8 Steve Grier 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Owen Marron 6 Naill Lennon 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Kamel Moussa 7 Dave Browne 6 Mauro Segovia 6

24.3.19
Spartak 1, Cabinteely 1

Injuries and absentees saw Spartak field the bare 11 against second place Cabinteely.

A fantastic display by Jason Northey, beaten only by a penalty, kept Cabo at bay. Jason made several excellent stops, not least when Billy O’Neill appeared to have been fouled, leaving the striker one on one.

The overworked Spartak back four played really well, and the visitors were shocked when Kamel Moussa smashed in from the edge of the box to equalise in a rare Spartak attack.

Mick Greene, in a free role, played a vital part of the resistance, while Neil McGowan and Stuart Love got through a mountain of work in centre midfield.

A satisfying result in the circumstances.

From Report
Jason Northey 9 Jimmy Dawson 8 Steve Grier 8 Billy O’Neill 7 Cian Stenson 8 Kamel Moussa 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Greene 6 Stuart Love 7 Mauro Segovia 6 Amin Afsar 6

Date
Spartak 0, Walkinstown 2

Spartak played an effective low block which frustrated Walkinstown for most of the game. Enjoying the majority of possession, the visitors created few clear chances as the Sky Blues, forced on the defensive, put in a good shift.

The visitors frustration grew as their attacking moves were nullified by some excellent blocks, tackles and interceptions.

After Walkinstown took the lead on 76 minutes, Conor Brady had Spartak’s best chance; his low near post shot was parried away for a corner, which came to nothing.

A last minute effort put a gloss on the final scoreline for a relieved Walkinstown.

Form Report
John Luke Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 6 Chris Hogan 7 Liam Caffrey 7 Owen McCormack 7 Eric Barber 7 Leo Behan 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dale Mulllins 6 Conor Brady 6 Jason Fenlon 7.
Sub : Kevin Murphy 6

10.3.19
Spartak 4, Liffey Athletic 4
Spartak win 5-4 on penalties.

An injury and suspension hit Spartak could field only 11 players on this occasion; Glen Burke was included despite a groin strain, and made a significant contribution in the first period, before being reduced to walking wounded status in the second half.

Conditions in Marlay were heavy, with an early snow storm threatening the game. The sleet and snow blew over after about ten minutes; any more and there would have been a postponement.

Liffey took an early lead against the run of play, but some sprightly attacking play saw Spartak lead 3-1 at the interval; Glen Burke knocked in twice from close range, and also pulled back an over hit cross for Neil McGowan to
smash in.

A long range effort saw Liffey reduce arrears and a header from a corner, poorly defended, forced extra time. Liffey made several subs; Spartak were in effect playing with ten. Liffey took the lead for the first time after a mix up, but Dave Browne joyously headed in Niall Hanratty’s corner kick at the back post to force the shootout.

Kevin Loftus saved twice from the first spot kick, the ref having ordered a retake; but was injured in the process, Niall Hanratty had to go between the sticks, having uneasily scored the Sky Blues first effort. Cian Stenson, Neil McGowan, Kevin Cunningham all converted before Tom O’Driscoll banged in a peach of a pen to put Spartak in the next round.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 8 Jimmy Dawson 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Kevin Cunningham 8 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 7
Owen Marron 7 Glen Burke 8 Cian Stenson 7

19.1.19

Spartak 3, Clondalkin Celtic 5

An eventful game which saw Spartak concede two penalties – one foolishly, and the other extremely harsh

A score from a harsh penalty after 5 minutes put the visitors ahead. This was quickly followed by a sloppily conceded goal at the back post.

Mick Leslie fired over from a good position and Conor Brady had a right footed effort which was too soft to trouble the keeper. Neil McGowan clipped the top of the bar with a header, and also forced a good save from the Celtic custodian, before scoring via a post after good work from Dale Mullins. A second penalty needlessly conceded gave the vistors a half time 3-1 advantage.

Spartak began the second half in strong fashion, and Jason Fenlon was unfortunate to see his effort strike the foot of the post and rebound into the keepers hands. Dale Mullins, stretching, pulled his shot across goal and wide, and Kevin Murphy will rue his close range effort, firing directly at the keeper.
The visitors then stretched their lead by two to make it 5-1.

The Sky Blues showed a never say die spirit and hopes were lifted when a Neil McGowan volley from 25 yards was followed quickly by a visiting defender putting through his own goal.
Spartak piled on the pressure, forced a number of corners and scrambles, had the ball in the net but given offside.
Clondalkin defended frantically as the course of the game swung in Spartak’s favour, and were the happier to hear the final whistle.

Form Report
Steve Grier 6 Ciaran Brady 6 Chris Hogan 6 Owen McCormack 7 Kevin Murphy 5 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Jason Fenlon 5 Conor Brady 5
Subs: Billy O’Neill 6 Conor Callis 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Liam Caffrey 6

2.3.19
Mt Merrion 2, Spartak 2

Spartak took a valuable point in a wind ruined game in Rosemount.

Played on a cold afternoon in near gale conditions, both teams had to battle against the elements and their opponents.
Spartak took an early lead when a wind assisted effort by Carl Fenlon flew into the net.

Mt Merrion struck back and prodded home following a cross.

Spartaks’ best chance of the second half fell to Carl Fenlon, but he fired just wide after a good move.

Liam Caffrey produced some excellent stops to keep the Sky Blues in the game, but was beaten by a free kick with just three minutes left.

It was well into injury time, with Spartak throwing caution to the (very strong) wind when Mo Sheleg picked up a loose clearance and crossed for Seamus McCahill to knock in a deserved equaliser.

Form Report
Liam Caffrey 7 Chris Hogan 7 Mick Leslie 7 Seamus McCahill 8 Kevin Murphy 6 Eric Barber 6 Conor Callis 6 Mo Sheleg 5 Jason Fenlon 7 Carl Fenlon 7 Niall Lennon 8.
Sub: Corey Coyle 5

9.2.19
Spartak 6, DCU 2

Spartak overcame a rugged DCU side in some style, leading by six until concentration lapsed to spoil the clean sheet.

A bad foul on Jeff Gamble necessitated an early change; the yellow card meted out to the culprit seemed hardly sufficient given the nature of the challenge.

DCU had claims for a goal when the ball was scrmbled off the line, but the ref ruled no goal. It wasnt until the 35th minute that the Sky Blues made the breakthrough. Mo Sheleg, on for Jeff, crossed; Neil McGowan and JAson Fenlon worked the opening for Conor Brady. Conor’s first effort skidded away wide of the posts, but Mo Sheleg retrieved the ball and crossed again. Conor fired high into the net. 1-0

Spartak quickly added a as second after good work by Kevin Cunningham and Carl Fenlon allowed Jason Fenlon to shoot home.

In the second half, confidence surged after Jason Fenlon scored from outside the box. Neil McGowan and Mo Sheleg combined to allow Carl Fenlon to make it 4; then when Neil McGowan was pulled down in the box, Spartak had the luxury of missing the resultant penalty, Carl Fenlon’s weak effort was easily saved, although the situation was retrieved Conor Brady slotted in the rebound.

Neil McGowan sent Conor Callis through to round the keeper and make it six, before late lapses gave the visitors a degree of consolation.

Form Report
Liam Caffrey 7 Kevin Cunningham 8 Chris Hogan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Lennon 8 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Carl Fenlon 8 Jason Fenlon 8 Conor Brady 7
Subs: Conor Callis 7 Mo Sheleg 7

13.1.19
Edenderry 1, Spartak 3

Spartak struck early with a goal of the season contender. In a sweeping move, Kevin Cunningham sent Ger Byrne away on the right, and his cross was met first time on the edge of the box by Neil McGowan, whose venomous shot to the corner left the keeper helpless.

For most of the remainder of the first half, Edenderry were on top, and equalised, as well as discomfiting the Sky Blue defence. Blocks from Ian Harmon and a goal line clearance from Tom O’Driscoll kept the home team from adding to the score. In breaks, Cian Stenson hit the bar, and then had a good header form Kevin Cunningham’s cross clawed away by the keeper, while Niall Hanratty was just wide with a header.

It was a different story at the start of the second half, as Spartak upped the tempo. Cian Stenson again brought two good saves from the keeper, while Ger Byrne fired over from close range. Niall Hanratty was narrowly over from distance after spotting the keeper off his line.

Ger Byrne then exchanged passes with Cian Stenson before firing in low to put Spartak ahead.

The home keeper unfortunately collided with Cian Stenson and had to retire injured. (He was fine after the game). Edenderry were unperturbed by this setback and sought the equaliser. Twice they seemed to have achieved their aim, but marvellous clearances by Ian Harmon and Tom O’Driscoll prevented them.

Tom O’Driscoll and Cian Stenson combined to allow Owen Marron to get the clinching score.

A satisfying win.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 Kevin Cunningham 8 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Steve Grier 7 Ian Harmon 8 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Jimmy Dawson 6 Ger Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 7
Subs: Owen Marron 7 Dave Browne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6