Spartak Dynamo FC

25.2.02
Malahide 6, Spartak 1

The day began badly for Spartak and ended a great deal worse.

The home side opened the scoring in the first minute after hesitation by Fintan Grace allowed the centre forward in to round Stephen Harris and score.
Spartak rallied and Derek Ruxton had a couple of efforts, one well over and another cleared with the keeper beaten. Fintan redeemed himself somewhat with a great clearance after the home side sprung a shaky offside trap.
A shot by Shane McInerney was handled on the line but nothing given by the referee. Spartak pressed and a throw by Mick Greene was controlled by Conor Maguire who passed to Derek Ruxton. Derek’s shot was goal bound and Conor is claiming a touch.
Derek skied a half chance and Malahide showed their intent with a header just over, while Stephen Harris also made a smart save.

At half time the game seemed well within Spartak’s grasp, but that was not how it turned out.

Niall Hanratty lasted just 45 minutes and Neill Bolger substituted. On 53 minutes, a clearly offside no.7 was allowed to go on and score for Malahide. Incensed by the decision Neill incurred a yellow and then a red in foolishly attempting to get the ref to change his mind. A goal and a man down, Spartak did not respond well to the adversity. Its often said that its difficult to play against 10 men, but Malahide found it an easy task, as Spartak folded. The referee was one of the poorest we have encountered, but Spartak fell in to the trap of arguing with each other and with the ref, and both concentration and discipline were lost.

The afternoon got steadily worse for the Sky Blues after that. Malahide got the third following a corner, and the fourth from a break when Niall Lennon was dispossessed. Cathal Clancy allowed the red mist to descend and conceded a penalty and was dismissed. A harsh penalty was awarded against Shane McInerney to complete the rout. Both penalties were duly dispatched.

A humbling experience to lose and exit the cup in such a manner to a team from a lower division who were clearly beatable. By some distance the worst performance of the season.

Form Report:
Stephen Harris 6 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 4 Mick Costello 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Conor Maguire 5 Steve Walsh 4 Derek Ruxton 5 Shane McInerney 5
Subs: Neill Bolger 4 Niall Lennon 4 Martin Costello

Slight delay in start of Lotto – technical hitch – now starts on 7th March.

Contact Shane for your number.

Spartak Dynamo FC Table Quiz THURSDAY 1 st March in the bar in the Firhouse Community Centre.  There will be no training on the night so all players are expected to attend.

Also if anyone can donate a spot prize / bottle of something /signed Ireland jersey (Shane)!!! it would be appreciated for the raffle.

All support is welcome Tables of 4 for €40. Kicks off at 8.30pm

18.2.12
Spartak 2 Leicester 3

With so many of the squad out for one reason or another, Spartak had to field somewhat of a patched up side with Shane McInerney playing despite a dead leg and Mick Greene fielded in an unaccustomed midfield role.

The game featured a few goals of the freakish variety and Stephen Harris had an eventful outing which called to mind the quote re Longfellow’s little girl – When she was good she was very very good, but when she was bad she was horrid. Stephen made some really fine one on one saves, but slipped up to gift a goal to Leicester, and later was lucky to escape when losing the ball at the edge of the box.

The goals first, all of which came in the first half. Leicester took an early lead which was quickly cancelled by Steve Walsh’s free kick, after a foul on Paul Kinsella, who was a driving force in the middle. Steve Walsh’s shot was on target and visiting goalkeeper made a hash of attempting to save.

Then Leicester again took the lead when Stephen Harris tried to field a back pass and beat the first forward, he succeeded only in knocking the ball into the path of another forward who had an easy task.

The series of errors continued when the visiting number 5 played a square pass which put Conor Maguire in for a well taken equaliser.

What proved to be the winning goal came in first half injury time; with Spartak on the offensive Shane McInerney dithered in possession and his opponent ran 80 yards to score. As to how he was not intercepted by the Spartak defence – well that’s another matter.

In the second half a run by Conor Maguire was halted at the cost of a yellow card; Miick Greene’s free was perfect: but no one made a run to the back post for what would have been the simplest of scores.

Leicester fired a great chance over and were foiled on other occasions by good work from Fintan Grace , Cathal Clancy and Stephen Harris. The Sky Blues had a few chances. A Mick Greene corner was flicked goalwards by Paul Kinsella, but the full back cleared off the line. Conor Maguire and Chris Hogan combined and the latter’s nice low cross was just too far for Derek McGoldrick to reach.

The form report? No, just a list of those unable to play for one reason or another: Bobby Hayes, Dave O’Kelly, Niall Hanratty, Martin and Mick Costello, Niall Lennon, Derek Ruxton, Neill Bolger,Colum O’Sullivan.

A full squad is needed to get the league campaign back on track ad a challenging Vere Deane cup match away to Malahide is next on the agenda.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 6 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Mick Greene 6
Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 6 Ross Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6
Subs: Derek McGoldrick 5 Dan O’Connell 5 Eduardo Maino 5

11.2.12
Moorfield United 2, Spartak 1

A palpable sense of injustice simmered as Spartak exited their long run in the Junior Shield at the quarter final stage in controversial circumstances in the Phoenix Park.

In bumpy conditions, close control and passing were made difficult, and in truth, it was not a great spectacle.

A game of few chances was effectively decided by the referee.

A blatant handball in the penalty area by the home no.3 as early as the 10th minute went unpunished, despite being under the nose of the linesman. Similarly when Conor Maguire was fouled both inside and outside the box a free was awarded outside. This was to prove a harbinger of what was to come.

Both defences were well on top, with Cathal Clancy a collossus for the Sky Blues, fearsome in the tackle and battling as if his life depended on it.

The deadlock was broken on 70 minutes when Stephen Harris was penalised under the 6 second rule. Stephen’s voluble approach to goalkeeping had attracted the attention of ref and linesman and may have played a part in the award. The indirect free was awarded inside the box. A Moorfield player touched the top of the ball lightly and a second player drilled it to the net. The ball, per rule, is supposed to move, but did not. Spartak lost their concentration after a concerted protest, and a minute later Moorfield took full advantage, scoring again.

Spartak fought back, and when a penalty for handball on the line was awarded,along with a red card, Conor Maguire coolly converted despite provocation on 82 minutes.

When Neil McGowan’s shot was blocked by the no.4’s hands with minutes left, the ref, who clearly was not going to award another penalty against a team like Moorfield, ignored the offence and then he chose discretion by playing a mere 30 seconds injury time as the Sky Blues pressed for an equaliser.

A Spartak squad depleted by injury, suspension and defections suffered further blows after the warm up when Mick Greene and Martin Costello could not start due to injury. Early bookings for Chris Hogan after two rash tackles and, somehat harshly, Fintan Grace were matched by a few for the Moorfield players, of whom the no.8 should have walked for many offences and in particular, use of the elbow.

Spartak, after a bright enough start, played a little too deep and may have accorded their opponents a little too much respect. The home side gradually won the battle for midfield but failed to create clear cut chances. Similarly the Sky Blue attackers were too often left isolated with little support.

The home goalkeeper was known to be suspect, but regretably , despite many frees and corners, the accuracy of set piece delivery was not good enough. The first time a good corner came in Spartak won the penalty.

It was a shame that a run to the 6th round should end in such a manner, but it was pretty obvious from early on that Spartak were not getting the rub of the green on any decisions.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Chris Hogan 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Keith Kelly 7 Cathal Clancy 9 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 5 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Neil McGowan 6.
Subs: Martin Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene Derek McGoldrick

Slight delay in start; now starts on 7th March

Don’t forget to get your lotto number – contact Shane to be sure you are in with a winning chance. All numbers are on a first come first pay basis

28.1.12
Hyde Park 3, Spartak 4

Spartak reached the second round of the Vere Deane cup after a really fine contest with Hyde Park, with both sides stronger in attack.

The Sky Blues were grateful to Bobby Hayes who made a stunning double save in the opening minutes after sloppy play saw possession squandered. Bobby then handled a Cathal Clancy back pass but the locals were unable to take advantage. Initially Spartak tended to take too many touches and the pace suffered as a result. But then the game settled and Spartak enjoyed a period of hegemony with enterprising runs on both wings by Steve Walsh and Conor Maguire.

Fintan Grace surged forward on the left and from his cross Derek Ruxton fired against the post. Conor Maguire sent Neill Bolger down the right Ross Kelly’s header from the cross was saved. Then Ruxton was just wide after good work by Walsh and Kelly. Maguire sent Bolger away but the keeper blocked at the expense of a corner. Mick Greene’s corner was flicked just wide by Bolger, who also headed over just on the break after good approach play by Maguire and Kelly. The goal finally arrived on 44 minutes when Maguire’s run and cross was bundled in by Kelly.

Martin Costello was lucky to escape a card after a late challenge, and later gave the ball away from free resulting in Hyde Park pressure.

Spartak began the second half in the same vein, a defence splitting pass by Kelly sending Walsh through, but the keeper saved, with Maguire firing the follow up wide. Clancy headed over from Mick Greene’s free.
Walsh and Kelly combined to send Bolger through but the home keeper saved bravely and was injured in the accidental clash. Then Spartak went ahead with a fine goal from a smart break out. Hayes claimed a Hyde Park free kick and his throw found Maguire. A great through ball to Walsh saw the winger control and fire home for number 2.

Hyde Park rallied and created three chances in quick succession as Spartak tired, or switched off collectively, and lost control of the midfield. Bobby saved, Hyde Park hit the side net, and they also shot wide.

The home rally quickly paid off, as defensive slackness saw a half clearance fired in on 73 minutes; and two minutes later a long range free was headed home by an unmarked forward.

On 77 minutes substitute Niall Lennon played a lovely diagonal ball which Conor Maguire adroitly turned in to give Spartak the lead – surely the winner? But no, moments later Cathal Clancy conceded a free and was carded. Before the defence could reorganise, Hyde Park quickly exploited the gap on the left and the cross was duly converted. The home side now had their tails up and Bobby had to save smartly in a scramble, with Cathal Clancy also making a timely clearance. Martin Costello’s free was short and put Hyde Park on the attack but again Bobby saved.

As extra time loomed it took a moment of individual skill to settle the tie. A dazzling run by Steve Walsh on 87 minutes saw him beat a couple of defenders and shoot for goal – a despairing touch by a defender could only help the ball to the net.

With seconds left in injury time the locals gained a corner and the keeper came forward; however Derek Ruxton cleared the ball prodigiously; it travelled more than 70 yards – on a dry or windy day the ball would have carried and he might have scored from his own penalty area!

Plenty of attacking virtuosity on display in a thrilling contest. Defences were certainly not on top in this one!

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 8 Mick Greene 6 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Neill Bolger 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Conor Maguire 9 Steve Walsh 9 Ross Kelly 8 Shane McInerney 6
Subs: Niall Lennon 7 Colum O’Sullivan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Chris Hogan

Lads,

The Spartak lotto resumes with effect from the draw on Wed 15th Feb.

Contact Shane with your selected number and subscription.

Prize is €110 per week, cost €5 per week. Shane will be operating for a four week block from 15th Feb.

21.1.12
Swords Celtic 3, Spartak 1

Spartak came to rue missed first half chances in a game ruined by the wind and a whistle happy ref, who was never in control of the match. Apart from his infuriating habit of evening things up with provocative decisions, he failed to punish a horror challenge on Mick Costello. Mick has ankle damage and was lucky not to sustain a broken leg. To add insult to injury, the ref was only a few yards away from the incident.

Back to that first half, in which Spartak had the edge but somehow ended up a goal behind.
After just 5 minutes Conor Maguire won a free which Mick Greene crossed; the ball fell to Neill Bolger, close in, but he could not make the contact in the swirling wind. A fine reverse pass by Neill then put Derek Ruxton away on the right, and his shot was deflected for a corner.

Against the run of play Swords went ahead. A corner was cleared back to the taker, and his cross was headed down and finished. The Sky Blues claimed offside; but simple defending could have prevented the goal.

Spartak responded well with three attempts to equalise. Steve Walsh had a shot saved; Steve then put Conor Maguire through, who slotted past the keeper but wide of target; as the ball was running wide Neill Bolger raced to try to turn it in but hit the side net. Derek Ruxton’s run and cross left Conor Maguire with a close in header, but he could not get sufficient purchase and the ball drifted wide.

In fact Spartak had the home side on the run for a while, but sometimes chose to turn back to retain possession when a drive forward was more in keeping with the trend of the play.

The second period began poorly for Spartak; Neill Bolger picked up a yellow card, and on 50 minutes disaster struck when Martin Costello was dispossessed twice in the same move. On the first occasion his fellow defenders came to the rescue and returned the ball to him but the second was punished by a fine rasping shot past Bobby Hayes. 0-2.

Nonetheless Spartak fought back and reduced arrears on 56 minutes after good work by Steve Walsh when Conor Maguire turned the ball in. An equaliser looked on the cards when Fintan Grace and Martin Costello combined to cross for Neill Bolger, who powered a great header off the top of the bar. On a luckier day, he might have been completing his hattrick.

A fine run and cross by Fintan Grace saw no takers in the box and Maguire and Ruxton had shots saved. But the Sky Blues were undone as the defence pushed on and were caught out of position on the break and Swords added number 3 on 78 minutes.

Ross Kelly’s good work gave Mick Costello a good headed chance and then later when Mick’s shot was spilled by the keeper he challenged for the ball; he was butted and punched but Mick received a red card for retaliation – with no punishment for the home lads.

Not a match to be fondly remembered. A quick recovery is required for the Vere Deane cup (which Spartak has won previously) against high flying Hyde Park on Saturday in Balbriggan. The unfortunate Mick Costello will be both injured and suspended for that one.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Mick Costello 6 Neill Bolger 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 6 Shane McInerney 6
Subs : Niall Lennon 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Ross Kelly 5 Colum O’Sullivan Niall Hanratty

14.1.12
Leinster Junior Shield Round 5
Carrick Rovers 0, Spartak 2

An excellent opportunist strike by Derek Ruxton on 75 minutes effectively decided this tie in the Sky Blues favour. On as sub, Derek broke the deadlock of a match that seemed destined for stalemate. Conor Maguire’s 94th minute goal gave the scoreline a more flattering look in a dour encounter in Carrickmacross.

Derek’s decisive moment came when he challenged the keeper for a loose ball just outside the box; the ball squirted away to the left, but Derek coolly slotted in from a tight angle.

Spartak and Carrick huffed and puffed for a first half that was aimless; neither side took control of the ball and possession was squandered repeatedly. Neither midfield could get a grip on proceedings.

When Niall Hanratty and Bobby Hayes made a hash of a kick out, Carrick had their best chance of the game, but the subsequent cross was too fast for the striker to touch home.

Spartak had two “goals” disallowed; both by Conor Maguire, the second following the brightest passage of play after Niall Hanratty struck the bar from 20 yards, and Conor arched to head in.

Spartak were generally profligate from free kicks in decent positions, and did not test the local keeper, the nearest chance when Martin Costello knocked Mick Greene’s free over the bar. and, throughout the match, lacked the incisiveness needed; the final ball was not up to the mark. Martin was lucky to escape censure when he handled the ball deliberately.

Chris Hogan was again in the wars with officialdom and was in danger of dismissal until substituted.

On 65 minutes, a neat move put Shane McInerney into the box; his shot was pushed away by the keeper, but in the act of shooting a Carrick player shouted “boo” for which he received his second yellow and a harsh dismissal by the excellent, if slightly fussy, referee. Shane swears this is the only reason he did not break his scoring “duck” for the season!

Bobby Hayes handled confidently throughout, particularly early on when Conor Maguire was dispossessed, but conceded a second half free for carrying the ball out of the penalty area, and he was well protected by the central defensive bastions of Fintan Grace and Dave O’Kelly.

With the locals down to ten men, Spartak at last began to take a grip in midfield, but too often the cross or final pass halted the move. While the midfield was solid defensively, they were a little over cautious in general and few inventive passes were made, with support for the forward players usually lacking.

As Carrick pushed on in search of an equaliser, the other substitute Derek McGoldrick used his pace and had two great chances on the break; firstly he rounded the keeper but lost his footing at the vital moment; and the second effort was saved.

Carrick Rovers were sporting and gracious hosts of a match played in a good spirit and we wish them well for the rest of the season.

While the performance was solid rather than spectacular, the result away from home was satisfying, particularly for the travelling fans, Ian Leslie and Mark Bolger. It was a fairly cheerful bus ride home, with a 6th round quarter final tie awaiting.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 6 Dave O’Kelly 8 Fintan Grace 8 Mick Costello 7 Niall Lennon 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Conor Maguire 7 Martin Costello 7 Shane McInerney 7

Subs: Derek Ruxton 7 Derek McGoldrick 6 Neill Bolger