Spartak Dynamo FC

3.12.11
Cherryfield 0, Spartak 2

With the game deadlocked on 78 minutes, Mick Costello played an incisive pass releasing Steve Walsh down the left; Steve’s cross was expertly controlled and finished by Conor Maguire for the vital opener. Three minutes later Conor Canavan and Conor Maguire combined to send Steve Walsh away and he scored from a tight angle with the aid of a deflection.

Finally the breakthrough, threatened for so long, had arrived.

Spartak opted to play into the wind in the first half and were initially pinned back by a lively home attack. Cherryfield have been struggling in the league but now seem rejuvenated under the guidance of former Spartak manager Tommy Coady. That Spartak kept a clean sheet in the first half was due in no small measure to the assured handling of Bobby Hayes.

At the other end, the creative promptings of Steve Walsh set up a few chances for the Sky Blues, none more so than when a pass sent Conor Maguire away down the right; he crossed it invitingly across the six yard box but no Spartak support was close enough for what would have been a tap in.

Spartak’s best chance of the half fell to Niall Hanratty, through one on one from Niall Lennon’s pass, but he shot wide as the keeper advanced.

At the start of the second half Spartak seemed certain to open their account when Hanatty crossed to Maguire who in turn set up Colum O’Sullivan close in, but Colum hesitated and the chance was lost. Again Steve Walsh was the supplier as Conor Maguire fired in a shot that the keeper tipped on to the bar. Maguire later won back the ball and he fed Hanratty who forced a save from the keeper. Meantime Bobby Hayes raced out to make a good save from a home breakaway.

Steve Walsh drifted past a couple of defenders on a glorious run but fired inches wide and then Niall Hanraty, free at the back post following a corner, had a air shot.

Spartak had begun to run out of ideas with a fair few aimless attempted through balls running harmlessly away with the wind. Distribution from the back was not great throughout and, among others Chris Hogan, Martin Costello and Shane McInerney in turn all had the frustration of overhitting attempted passes, which ran harmlessly though to the keeper. Niall Lennon faded somehat after a decent opening half and Shane McInerney confined himself to defensive duties. Colum O’Sullivan tired noticeably while Chris Hogan and Niall Hanratty frequently broke down the right but the final ball too often let them down.

As the game entered its final quarter an increased emphasis on attack and the introduction of substitutes helped to swing the game in Spartak’s favour.

A clean sheet and three points – very welcome on a cold December day.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 8 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 6 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Steve Walsh 8 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Conor Maguire 7
Subs : Mick Costello 7 Conor Canavan 6 Ross Kelly

26.11.11

Spartak 5, Ballycragh 4 (AET)

The Sky Blues finally came out on top of this pulsating contest. With the visitors down to 10 men after 25 minutes, Spartak looked odds on to come out on top, but instead found themselves 0-2 down at the break. When Ballycragh made it 3-1 on 85 minutes, hope faded and Spartak teetered on he edge of disaster. However Steve Walsh’s corner went straight in on 88 minutes, and on 92 minutes Cathal Clancy strode imperiously forward before passing to Conor Maguire, who sent Martin Costello in to fire in the equaliser to a mixture of euphoria and relief from the home side.

That meant extra time; and Conor Maguire duly fired in to make it 4-3 in the first period. Colum O’Sullivan then took centre stage, conceding a penalty and the equaliser first, and then was involved in the move, set up by Chris Hogan, which led to the winner with 90 seconds of extra time remaining. Colum’s shot struck a defender, and Conor Maguire coolly finished the rebound to the net. In between Cathal Clancy had a glorious opportunity from a Niall Lennon cross but headed wide.

Spartak began the match poorly and conceded on 9 minutes when Fintan Grace half cleared a corner. The second Ballycragh goal came on 18 minutes when a hesitant Bobby Hayes allowed a low cross to drift past him.

On 25 minutes the visiting player foolishly struck Cathal and was red carded.

It was a game in which Spartak created more chances than in all games put together so far this season.

In the very first minute a long Conor Maguire pass found Martin Costello who fired wide. A harbinger of things to come? It looked that way. Niall Hanratty fired weakly at the keeper when clear, Fintan Grace’s shot from the left was on target but had no power; Mick Greene’s pass put Conor Maguire in for a one on one, but he shot too close to the keeper. Conor’s pass put Niall Hanratty in but he blazed wide and later hit the bar from Mick Greene’s pass; Shane McInerney was well wide from the edge of the box. And that was just the first half!

The second half was almost all one way traffic , with Ballycragh scoring on virtually their only excursion into home territory on 85 minutes. Their only other chance came courtesy of a tiring Mick Greene, who played across his own goal. Shane McInerney came to the rescue with a risky challenge in the box.

Shane could have had a hat trick, but despite getting into great positions failed to make good contact with the ball sufficient to trouble the keeper. Niall Hanratty, too, could have had a few goals, but lacked the clinical touch, opting for power instead. Chris Hogan, marauding from right back, had several efforts go close; Conor Maguire hit the bar from Steve Walsh’s cross and the ball bounced invitingly a yard out but Martin Costello handled in his attempt to get the ball across the line.

Spartak were now on the rampage, camped in Ballycragh’s half, with unused sub Derek Ruxton acting as a manic ball boy to keep the tempo at a frantic level.

Substitutes Niall Lennon and Steve Walsh had given added impetus and Niall Lennon burst through and looked certain to score but the effort was deflected over.

On another day all those missed opportunities would have given rise to much soul searching following the game.

On 73 minutes Mick Greene and Martin Costello combined to cross for Niall Hanratty to toe poke home. It looked set up for Spartak , but credit must go to Ballycragh, who fought really well with 10 men, defended deep and worked hard and had other ideas, scoring a third goal.

A great game, almost a nightmare but finally the goals came to the delight of the boys in sky blue.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Costello 5 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Conor Maguire 7 Ross Kelly 5 Martin Costello 6
Subs Niall Lennon 7 Steve Walsh 7 Colum O Sullivan 6 Derek McGoldrick Dave O’Kelly Derek Ruxton

19.11.11
Spartak 2, Booth Road 4.

Spartak found themselves 1-4 down mid way through the second half despite having an equal share of possession and chances. Two of the visitors’ scores had large elements of luck about them, one score was an attempted cross while the second goal was the result of a block tackle sending the ball spinning crazily past stand in goalkeeper Mick Greene, who was solid throughout and who was faultless for the goals conceded.

The Sky Blues had at least as many scoring chances, but were not sufficiently clinical while any breaks went the way of the visitors.

With Ross Kelly’s hamstring acting up, Bobby Hayes absent and Shane McInerney and Dave O’Kelly on the bench despite muscle strains, the home side had to juggle their resources somewhat.

Booth are a strong outfit and started briskly and Chris Hogan was caught napping early on, conceded a free which was cleared.

From a corner kick Cathal Clancy was outmuscled by the striker, who headed in on 17 minutes. The Spartak equaliser came on the half hour and was a wonderful move, with Chris Hogan and Conor Maguire setting up Niall Hanratty whose fine low cross invited Martin Costello to knock in from close range.

The deflected goal then gave the visitors the lead two minutes before the break.

Spartak made a decent effort to equalise and had the ideal opportunity as Martin Costello broke free on the left with Niall Hanratty free in the middle, but Martin’s attempted square pass went straight to the keeper. Just afterwards Martin turned in the box but his shot was tipped over.

The third goal was the flighted cross; a lucky break for the visiors on 74 minutes .
Spartak never gave up, and spurred on by Hanratty’s never say die attitude they set up a number of chances. Mick Costello was just wide after Steve Walsh’s run and cross, and Steve had an effort saved after a pass by Martin.

With the back four pushing on trying desperately to get back in the game, a Booth player broke from the half way line, pursued by Niall Lennon, who failed to close the gap, and a low shot made it 4-1.

A goalkeeping error gave Conor Maguire the chance to get one back. Even with the keeper out of position he still had plenty to do and and he coolly fired home. Steve Walsh had a couple of runs and crosses, as did Martin Costello, but

When Conor Maguire was fouled just outside the box, Shane McInerney, just a few yards out, somehow failed to connect with Niall Hanratty’s free.

Small margins made a big difference.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Chris Hogan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 5 Niall Lennon 5
Niall Hanratty 7 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 6 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neill Bolger 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dave O’Kelly

The night out and raffle is in the Eden on Sat 17th Dec.

Lets have a big turn out on the night and we also need a good result from the raffle, so get cracking early with the tickets!

Keith Kelly is first man back in with €50 and tickets sold – well done that man!

Bobby Hayes and Martin Costello have contributed prizes so far. Good work.

Don’t forget we have as well as the hampers an additional prize of a signed/framed Ireland shirt.

So please get tickets and any conributions towards the hampers in as soon as possible…..

For training tomorrow night there is no parking in Killians College…..so get there early to park near the gate

12.11.11
Black Forge 1, Spartak 0

Spartak slipped to a disapointing defeat after failing to test the opposition goalkeeper with any serious efforts.

The Sky Blues did not manage to get forward in numbers and attacking players frequently lacked support especially from midfield players and full backs.

Too many touches when in possession and a tendency to play with the head down meant that decent passing moves were as rare as hen’s teeth. Possession, from unchallenged positions, was all too frequently squandered and the option of a simple forward pass rarely taken.

There was no lack of desire commitment or effort however, but a lack of guile was the main reason that that Spartak did not play well, or at all. Perhaps a touch of complacency might have crept in.

A whistle happy ref (who, on the other hand kept his cards in his pocket) and a narrow pitch meant that the game was never going to be a spectacle. The Sky Blues did not display the versatility necessary to adapt to the conditions.

Spartak’s back four made a number of individual errors from the off. Dave O’Kelly was caught napping by the number 11 and Bobby Hayes tidied up;Martin Costello dropped a clanger and again Bobby saved; Martin was then dispossessed and Cathal cleared off the line; Mick Greene missed a challenge and Bobby again to he rescue. Perhaps Bobby’s best save was after a mix up by Dave O’Kelly and Martin Costello left the forward in for a 1 on 1. Again the 11 ran free but tried to pass when placed to shoot.

The Sky Blues attacks were sporadic at best. Ross Kelly headed just over from Steve Walsh’s corner, and Mick Costello drove wide when set up by Conor Maguire, who was also clipped in the area later but no penalty given.

Ross Kelly had a shooting opportunity early in the second half, but was off target.

The goal arrived when Bobby Hayes, perhaps ill advisedly after a period of home pressure, threw the ball to Niall Lennon. who could not take possession. The home player fastened on to the loose ball and drove home with the aid of a slight deflection.

Spartak’s response was to huff and puff, but eschew any attempts to get passing moves going.

Remember the old maxim – if you can’t pass, you cant play! On the day we couldn’t , and didn’t.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 5 Cathal Clancy 6 Mick Costello 5 Fintan Grace 5 Conor Maguire 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ross Kelly 6 Neill Bolger 5
Subs: Niall Hanratty 5 Niall Lennon 5 Jose Vargas 5 Derek McGoldrick Ryan Burke Colum O’Sullivan Dilon Burke

5.11.11
Spartak 5, Balbriggan 2

Spartak celebrated Guy Fawkes day with some sparkling goals in a Leinster Shield game which turned into a goal fest.

In the third minute a Niall Lennon pass seemed a tad too long until the visiting keeper allowed the ball to squirm from his arms and give Conor Maguire a simple finish. Even better was to follow when Colum O’Sullivan was impeded in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Mick Greene made no mistake, 2-0.

Then the Sky Blues lost concentration somewhat and we had three goals in a three minute spell. A Balbriggan corner was headed off the line by Shane McInerney but the follow up attempt was deemed to have been handled by Mick Costello – spot kick – 2-1. When Mick Greene’s free was headed clear , Conor Maguire cleverly played it first time to Martin Costello who volleyed neatly in with his left foot. From the tip off Balbriggan scored without a home player touching the ball. Martin Costello dived rashly to try to intercept a ball 45 yards from his own goal and the ball ran through for Balbriggan to score with Spartak’s defence in disarray. 3-2. A breathless few minutes, which saw Spartak lose control of the contest momentarily and which gave the visitors hope.

Bobby Hayes then made a good save and at the other end Fintan Grace broke to feed Ross Kelly, but his effort did not trouble the keeper.

On 50 minutes Spartak scored the best goal of the game and one which probably decided the contest. Good work down the right by Conor Maguire saw the ball laid back to Dave O’Kelly, who whipped in a terrific cross which Mick Costello met with a towering header to score off the post.

Ross Kelly then lobbed wide with the keeper off his line and, as Balbriggan tried to retrieve the situation, Bobby Hayes made a good stop and Fintan Grace headed clear from a dangerous cross. The substitutes all then got in on the act. Steve Walsh had an effort saved before another substitute, Derek Ruxton, flighted a free kick which Martin Costello headed in.

A quick throw gave the other sub Derek McGoldrick a chance to get in on the scoring act as he raced clear; but driving in from the left he opted to shoot with his right foot and the effort was easily saved.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 8 Fintan Grace 7 Mick Costello 7 Niall Lennon 6 Conor Maguire 7 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Ross Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6.
Substitutes: Steve Walsh 5 Derek McGoldrick 5 Derek Ruxton 6 Jose Vargas Neill Bolger Cathal Clancy

Its cup action for both Saturday teams this weekend. The young lads are playing Balbriggan at home and the Over 35s are away to Greystones. The Sunday lads are away to Castlepark on Sunday morning

For those of you who missed the 40th Party in February this year the booklet is now available on the 40th Party tab.