Spartak Dynamo FC

15.9.11
Ratoath 5, Spartak 0

Spartak’s miserable run of results in Ratoath continued. There were few, if any, excuses. The pitch was perfect, the ref excellent, the weather balmy on this floodlit Thursday fixture.

The stark facts are that the locals ran harder and passed the ball quicker.

The first half saw Ratoath mainly in the ascendancy. Spartak found it difficult to keep the ball on the ground even when under no pressure. The local wingers gave the Sky Blues rearguard a tough time and Fintan Grace cleared off the line after one burst.

Spartak had their own chances with Ross Kelly hitting the bar, Mick Costello’s shot cleared off the line, and Ross Kelly lobbing just wide.

At 2-0 down Spartak were still in this game and very much alive, thanks in no small part to the fine form of Peter O’Toole. The introduction of 3 subs, who all added energy to the mix, indicated Spartak’s gamble to recover and close the two goal gap but unfortunately in throwing everything forward the Sky Blues were caught on the break for goal number 3. This effectively ended the game as a contest. To rub salt in the wound the locals added two more in the dying minutes, neither of which they had to work particularly hard for.

First defeat of the season, and the reaction will be important to regain ground in the league.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Dave O’Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Mick Costello 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Mick Young 5 Steve Walsh 6 Ross Kelly 6 Graham McEnroe 5
Substitutes: Martin Costello 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Anto Doyle 5 Chris Hogan Shane Corrigan Dillon Burke

10.9.11
Spartak 1, Esker Celtic 0

The Sky Blues had to work hard for this victory, due in no small part to a fine goalkeeping display by Bobby Hayes and a very reasonable slice of good fortune. The visitors, who struck the woodwork three times as well as giving Hayes a testing work out and who also had a late penalty claim denied, will feel very hard done by.

Spartak opened brightly, and a neat 1-2 with Martin Costello set Colum O’Sullivan free but his attempt was weak and close to the keeper. Steve Walsh’s good run and cross gave Martin Costello an opportunity but his header was off target.

Esker then had a long range effort which smacked off the bar before being cleared. Spartak then had a blow when Niall Lennon, who had started creatively in midfield, had to go off with a hamstring injury. Esker gradually asssumed midfield control and had a few chances. They hit the post and Hayes recovered the situation for the home side. When Mick Greene was caught on the turn the no 7, luckily for Spartak, fatally delayed his shot as the angle worsened.

Just on half time a great break saw Dave O’Kelly send Martin Costello away down the left, and when he rolled the ball invitingly across the six yard box, Colum O’Sullivan could only steer the ball back to the grateful keeper.

Esker pressure continued at the start of the second half when Hayes conceded an unnecessary corner, but Spartak gained the vital advantage when Colum O’Sullivan was fouled on the left corner of the box. Mick Greene’s free may not have been the most powerful, but lacked nothing in accuracy. 1-0.

Spartak were now more or less overrun in the middle of the park and relying on break outs. Niall Hanratty was yellow carded after stopping a dangerous break.

The home side did have a few chances to add to the lead. O’Sullivan shot wide coming in from the left and Shane McInerney spurned a good shooting opportunity from 18 yards, blazing well over. Fidel Benson, through on goal, was muscled out without getting a shot in.

Mostly, however, play was concentrated at the other end. A McInerney miskick at the edge of the box saw Hayes come to the rescue with a tip over save. He also pushed a good effort on to the post and raced out of his goal to clear the danger on a few occasions.

With 98 minutes on the clock(!), there was a clash in the box between Dave O’Kelly and a visiting forward, who went to ground. To the relief of the home side, the ref awarded an indirect free , which was twice taken. Hayes gratefully grasped the second effort and Spartak were home and hosed.

Spartak were grateful for a day when most things went their way.

Form Report:
Robbie Hayes 8 Niall Hanratty 7 Mick Greene 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 6 Niall Lennon 6 Chris Hogan 5 Steve Walsh 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Shane McInerney 5 Ross Kelly 5 Fidel Benson 5 Shane Corrigan Ryan Burke

25.8.11
Peamount 0, Spartak 1

Spartak won all three points on the Peamount astro surface due in no small measure to a sterling defensive performance by the back 5, keeping a clean sheet despite Peamount having the lion’s share of the ball.

Midfield was a problem area for Spartak throughout, with the home side moving the ball freely. The Sky Blues conceded far too many unnecessary frees, inviting unwanted pressure into the penalty area, and wasted possession too frequently.

Bobby Hayes made a couple of good stops in the first half, particularly in a one on one situation with the defence beaten and Dave O’Kelly intervened with a fine headed clearance on another occasion. The central defenders were generally solid, particularly in the air, as were the full backs. Going forward, O’Kelly and Conor Canavan on the flanks were less self assured.
Up front Graham McEnroe made a great chance for himself but shot too early while Colum O’Sullivan worked hard and had a couple of good runs.
Steve Walsh showed some good touches and started the second half with a good run; the shot , however, lacked conviction. A fine McEnroe turn following a corner set up Kenny Ward for the best chance so far, but he scuffed his effort from a few yards.
Niall Hanratty was enduring a difficult night on the right flank, and was profligate with passes and crosses. To his credit he kept going and stole the glory on 82 minutes when he fired past a startled keeper from 30 yards.
As Peamount pressed on in search of a reward, Martin Costello and McEnroe combined to set up Chris Hogan from close in, but he blazed over when a more controlled effort was required.
Hogan then gave Hanratty an opportunity, but he shot over; Martin Costello was then lucky (again!) not to pick up a yellow when he “scored” long after the offside whistle had blown.

Spartak had to deal with the usual number of Saturday cry offs (for a wonderful variety of reasons) and have now used 21 players in just 2 games, with only 4 players staring both games to date , indicating a lack of dedication which may prove costly.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Canavan 7 Dave O Kelly 7 Fintan Grace 7 Ken Ward 7 Mick Young 4 Neill Bolger 4 Niall Hanratty 6 Steve Walsh 6 Colum O Sullivan 5 Graham McEnroe 7 Martin Costello 5 Shane McInerney 5 Chris Hogan 5 Ryan Burke Dillon Burke Shane Corrigan

Update as of 26th August.
Tuesday game against Brighton Celtic goes ahead but the Thursday game v Lisadell is off. They could not field a team last night and may pull out of league.

So Kilians training now starts Thurs 1st Sept at 9pm.

Training in St Kilians, due to start 29th Aug, will now be delayed by a week as midweek league games are fixed for Tues and Thursday . Training on astro resulmes Tuesday and Thurs Sep 6th and 8th at 9pm.

20.2.11
Spartak 2, Swords 2.

Both teams had several chances to clinch the game in a very open last quarter. Spartak had taken a two goal lead, somewhat against the run of play, but a strong Swords comeback yielded them a draw. As the visitors pushed on in search of a goal at two down, the Sky Blues spurned a few gilt edged chances to secure the three points.

Swords began the stronger and Cathal Clancy conceded two frees early on, from the second of which Swords hit the crossbar. Steve Walsh had a lively first half; first a mazy run and cross to the back post, not anticipated by his fellow attackers; then, collecting a great first time pass from Mick Costello, he beat two defenders before finishing on 15 minutes. The visiting keeper, unnerved at conceding, was then caught out of his area in trouble but Martin Costello conceded an easy free.

The visitors continued to press and when Mick Greene was beaten on the by line Swords miskicked in front of an empty goal.

Spartak went two up on 51 minutes when Steve Walsh coolly collected and put Martin Costello down the left. Costello’s perfect cross was finished by Jose Vargas at the back post.

Swords replied on 61 minutes. It was a soft goal from the home side’s viewpoint. A cross to the near post saw a mix up between Mick Greene and Mick Costello, while Robbie Hayes stayed on his line. The visiting forward nodded in from a few yards.

Neill Bolger, on as substitute, then snatched at a chance when put clear by Jose Vargas.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Niall Lennon missed a header and the subsequent through ball caught Fintan Grace and Niall Hanratty napping for the forward to equalise.
Hayes then created his own moment of drama when he miskicked straight to a forward but redeeemed the situation with a save. From the resultant corner Swords volleyed powerfully but just wide.

In the last minute of normal time, Niall Hanratty’s free rebounded off the bar to the onrushing and unmarked Neill Bolger. However he was caught in two minds and and could not direct his effort on target.
Cathal Clancy conceded a free on the edge of the box and the free was touched onto the bar

A final chance came to Spartak but Fidel Benson overran the ball when clean through, alowing the keeper to collect.

A fair result overall to a good contest.

Form Report
Robbie Hayes 5 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 5 Mick Costello 6 Niall Lennon 7 Jose Vargas 6 Steve Walsh 7 Ross Kelly 6 Martin Costello 5 Neill Bolger 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Fidel Benson 5 Ryan Burke Dillon Burke Chris Hogan Colum O’Sullivan.

Because the site was down for so long last week, we start the scoring form week 2, as per option offered. Get your team in now…..

15.8.11
Spartak 2, Gary Breen X1 0.

Spartak had a rain soaked run out against a Paul Kinsella-led super league team.

Spartak’s midfield dominated the proceedings with Mick Costello and Niall Lennon well on top and it was Lennon who opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a 25 yard screamer. A second half header by Mick Costello from Dave O’Kelly’s free completed the scoring.

Spartak’s defence looked vulnerable in the air at times and were slow to move the ball when given time and space.

Up front and out wide there was a lack of creativity and firepower from the various combinations, with no player able to impose himself on the game, and this was disapponting given the quality of supply.

Bobby Hayes had a generally peaceful evening, with one fine save and improved kicking.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dillon Burke 5 Fintan Grace 7 Mick Greene 6 Mick Costello 7 Niall Lennon 8 Ryan Burke 5 Steve Walsh 6 Martin Costello 5 Fidel Benson 5 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Ciaran Doyle 5 Dave O Kelly 7 Ross Kelly 6 Conor Canavan 6.

13.8.11
Parkvale 5, Spartak 2

A disappointing performance after a promising start to this friendly.
The morning start did not suit some, with three bleary eyed latecomers disrupting preparations.

Spartak started solidly, and took the lead when Martin Costello fired home after fastening on to Dave O’Kelly’s pass. Steve Walsh showed some good touches in midfield and Niall Lennon held the ball up well.

As the rolling substitutes began, concentration levels weakened and in a cataclysmic collapse, Spartak contrived to concede 3 goals in 3 minutes just before half time. This effectively decided the match. Spartak went four one down in the second period before Niall Lennon pulled one back following good work from Martin Costello and Ross Kelly. A late goal by the home side finished off the scoring.

The most disappointing aspect from the Sky Blues point of view was the lack of desire in some players who chose not to fight for the ball.

Form report:
Bobby Hayes 5 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 5 Dave O Kelly 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Mick Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7 Barry Maguire 6 Colm O’Sullivan 4 Niall Lennon 7 Martin Costello 6 Chris Hogan 4 Jose Vargas 4 Ryan Burke 4 Dillon Burke 4 Ross Kelly 4 Tom Foody 4

Spartak have obtained use of full pitch on in Kilians Thursday, at extra cost of course. Training facilities overall for the coming season will cost over €8000.

Annuals of €50 now due. Please cough up as quickly as possible, as we have had to pay upfront for training, and are (deeply) in the red for the moment. So you can help keep the administrators at bay by paying up early – thanks.

Also after match refreshments and social nights will be held in the sumptuous premises of the Eden from now on. We look forward to a good relationship with the Eden.