Spartak Dynamo FC

30.4.15
Spartak 4, Queens Park 0

An early Tom O’Driscoll goal, after a fine passing move, together with a brace form Stuart Love and a late goal by sub Graham Campbell saw off a tidy Queens Park outfit on a perfect spring evening in Marlay Park.

Just two minutes had elapsed when Neil McGowan sent Martin Costello away down the right, and his teasing cross was tucked home by the lunging boot of Tom O’Driscoll. Martin himself could have made it two shortly afterwards, but eventually ran the ball out for a goal kick.

Keith Kelly and Dave Browne were living dangerously at the other end, but in each case the ball was cleared. There were other chances at both ends, but just the one goal separated the teams at the break.

Five minutes after half time a neat piece of skill by Steve Walsh set up Stu Love to make it 2-0, and then Stu made it 3-0 with a header.

Both subs had an impact. Tom O’Driscolls slide rule pass sent Graham Cambell in to make it 4-0, and then Seamus McCahill spurned two gilt edged opportunities to add to the scoreline.

Form Report

Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Martn Costello 5 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: S.McCahill 5 Graham Campbell 7

26.4.15
Spartak 11, Parkvale 0

A hapless Parkvale side, missing some key players, were put to the sword in Marlay on a perfect spring morning.

Leading 5-0 at the break, the game as a contest ended early.

Time after time, slick movement carved open their defence, and it was only when Dave Browne and Aodhan McCahill were pushed forward that the goal romp eased. Aodhan was around the keeper and stumbled, while Dave Browne seemed fearful of venturing too far in the direction of the opposition area.

There was a Paulo Di Canio type sporting moment by Steve Walsh, who, having rounded the keeper, and noticing that the keeper had pulled a muscle, deliberately walked the ball wide. Steve did help himself to 5 goals , with the others from Tom O’Driscoll (2) Steve Grier (2) and Martin Costello.

Referee Tony Clarke duly ended the contest slightly early in a merciful gesture.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 9
Subs: Ken Buckley 6 Dave Kernan , Paul Kinsella

23.4.15
Spartak 2, Marks 3

It is often true in football that if early, gilt-edged chances are not taken, there is a price to be paid later. This was the case on a warm midweek evening in Marlay.

Without playing at optimum level in the first half, Spartak had 5 great opportunities, ranging from one on one efforts to close in chances, none of which were successful, and instead the Sky Blues ended up trailing at the interval to a soft, near post goal. There were other half chances also, and yet the visiting keeper had a relatively quiet time of it, with most efforts either off target or directed straight at him.

When Seamus McCahill equalised before the hour mark, Spartak looked set to go on to win. Marks defended resiliently, and refused to capitulate under pressure.

Spartak had many attacks, but lacked the nous to create chances as clear cut as those in the first half. At the back, Jason Northey had a jittery game, and there were a couple of scary moments in rare visitors’ forays.

Substitutes Jeff Gamble and Graham Campbell added energy, but little in the way of controlled play.

A calamitous lack of defensive organisation at a set piece proved to be Spartak’s undoing, and, very much against the run of play, Marks took the lead with a headed goal in the 86th minute.

When a long range effort sailed in to make it 3-1 moments later, the game was up, and Steve Grier’s late, injury time goal was little consolation.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Steve Grier 5 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Walsh 5.
Subs: Jeff Gamble 5 Graham Campbell 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5

19.4.15

Dundrum 1, Spartak 0

A goal in the 84th minute settled this encounter at Meadowbrook in this clash of 2nd and 3rd in the league.

The goal came when, having lost possession, Spartak were caught out defensively by a long pass and a quick break.

Spartak will argue that a draw would have been a fair result, but the Sky Blues failed to put a score on the board, despite early dominance, and more chances.

Spartak forced a series of early corners, generally wasted by poor delivery. The first passing move involved Dave Kernan, Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly, but the latter’s shot was weak.

When Karl MCCullough flicked on a throw in, Tom O’Driscoll was inches from converting, and then a good Kernan and Kelly move saw Steve Grier’s fierce effort well saved by the home keeper.

Spartak’s best chance fell to Tom O’Driscoll, in the second period, but his right footed effort from Steve Walsh’s assist was too gentle. Neil MCGowan fired wide after a Steve Grier header, while Grier and McGowan combined to set up Walsh, whose effort was blocked.

Steve Walsh missed a couple of chances to round the keeper, but hesitation lost him the opportunities.

As Spartak pressed for a late equaliser, everyone was pushed up for a Paul Kinsella free. However the free fell short and Dundrum brokel, eventually being halted by a foul by Karl McCullough. The referee, many yards away, awarded a penalty although the foul took place yards outside the area.

Jason Northey saved the spot kick, maintaining his recent good record.

Spartak will be disappointed to be held scoreless in such a vital game.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Joe McCarthy 5 Ciaran Keane 5

14.4.15
Carriglea 0, Spartak 2

Spartak came out on top in this clash of promotion rivals in a hard fought encounter.

Well refereed, this was a tough battle from start to finish, with two inspirational moments deciding the result.

The first goal resulted from a corner by Tom O’Driscoll which went too deep beyond the goal along the back line; Seamus McCahill retrieved the ball and cleverly stood it up at the back post for Neil McGowan to head in.

The second goal came from a fine piece of free kick initiative by Tom O’Driscoll and Keith Kelly, which saw the latter finish to the bottom corner.

In between it was a war of attrition on a bumpy surface with the team who won most headers, Spartak, generally on top.

Carriglea had a great chance early on, after a mix up between Paul Kinsella and Dave Browne, while Martin Costello scuffed his effort when sent clear by Steve Grier.

With Spartak one goal to the good at the interval, Martin Costello had a chance to double the lead when sent down the left by Neil McGowan; but he blazed across goal and well wide.

Spartak defended really well in the face of Carriglea’s increasingly frantic efforts to get back in the game.

Near the end Graham Campbell had two efforts strike the crossbar.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Kernan 7 Dave Browne 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 8 Seamus McCahill 8 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 7 Keith Kelly 7
Subs: Graham Campbell 7 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Leslie 6

12.4.15
Seaford 0, Spartak 6.

Spartak had the best of a one sided encounter in the pouring Blackrock rain against a weakened Seaford side, scoring some good goals in the process.

Just three minutes had elapsed when Steve Walsh floated in a free from 30 yards out; the ball was cleared back to him and he let fly first time to give Spartak the lead. A fine through ball by Tom O’Driscoll saw Steve Walsh show control and composure to make it 2-0.

A fine move then saw Tom O’Driscoll fire over from a great position and a Jason Northey kicking error caused some panic at the other end. Steve Grier sent Neil McGowan in and his shot was turned away for a corner.

The game was effectively over within a minute, when first Martin Costello ran through to lift over the keeper, and then, when the keeper’s poor clearance reached Neil McGowan he fired back over the goalie’s head for number 4.

The second half saw Steve Grier dispossess the centre half and score, but he was deemed to have fouled; the ref was probably influenced by the defender’s scream of agony – although he got up, unhurt, once the free was awarded.

Martin Costello teed up Neil McGowan for a long range goal to make it 5-0 on 65 minutes, while Jason Northey made a good save to keep out the home side.

Steve Walsh was now on the hunt for his hattrick goal and, after a few misses, he duly added his third. There was time for sub Mick Leslie to fire wide before the ref halted the proceedings with 8 minutes left on the clock.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 6 Mick Leslie 6

29.3.15
Valeview Shankill 1, Spartak 0.

Spartak went down by the narrowest of margins in a tight semi final encounter in Loughlinstown.

A jittery defensive start saw the Sky Blues concede a deflected goal after 4 minutes, following a series of defensive errors.

Steve Grier had a header knocked off the line as Spartak regained composure, but Neil McGowan had to make a sliding intervention at the back after more defensive uncertainty.

Spartak’s best move came just before the break when Steve Grier, Aodhan McCahill, Stuart Love combined to send Neil McGowan down the left. His cross too the keeper out of the game but Marcel Bajors, a full stretch, headed wide.

Valeview might have added to their lead early in the second half, but the shot was wide.

For the remainder of the game Spartak camped in the opposition half, but created few clear cut chances. Marcel Bajors had a header tipped onto the crossbar and over. Neil McGowan had a chance whipped off his toe. Steve Grier looked certain to score until a fine block thwarted him.

A late run by Steve Walsh saw him fire wide from the edge of the box.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 5 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 5 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5
Sub: Tom O’Driscoll 5

7.4.15

Parkvale 2, Spartak 5

The first midweek game saw Spartak eventually come out on top on a fine spring evening in Terenure.

Stephen Walsh had missed a couple of chances, one cleared off the line, before goals by Martin Costello and Neil McGowan put the Sky Blues ahead. Some sloppy defensive work, evident throughout the first half, allowed the home side back into the game and Parkvale levelled before the break.

The second period saw a greater level of urgency from Spartak , but Parkvale were buoyed by their recovery and fought hard.

Just past the hour mark, a Martin Costello foray was halted at the expense of a corner and Neil McGowan headed in from Stephen Walsh’s flag kick.

Then came a sustained period of attacking play from Spartak which saw three penalties awarded; Runs by Steve Walsh and David Kernan were halted unceremoniously in the area and a Tom O’Driscoll goal bound shot was handled on the line with a consequent red card for the defender.

Neil McGowan and Martin Costello saw the keeper get to their efforts before Stephen Walsh fired the third penalty home.

Karl McCullough converted at the back post for his first goal for the club to complete the scoring.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 David Browne 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 6 Mick Leslie 6 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
subs: Paul Kinsella 6 Niall Lennon 6 Joe McCarthy 6

22.3.15
Beech Hill 0, Spartak 2

Spartak came out on top in a bruising encounter in Donnybrook thanks to a clean sheet and two Steve Grier goals.

The Sky Blues began well with Dave Kernan raiding on the right and forcing the home team to some desperate defensive measures; a handball on the line seemed to give Spartak the breakthrough, but the ref awarded a free out, against Stu Love, to general surprise. In the opening minutes good work by Karl McCullough, Kernan and Martin Costello saw Steve Grier fire home, left footed, first time from the edge of the box.

Martin Costello and Steve Grier combined to give Stuart Love a clear run at goal but he fired wide.

On 20 minutes Steve Grier headed home Steve Walsh’s corner to complete the scoring.

The second half saw Spartak create many chances; Costello, Love, McGowan , McCahill and Walsh all missed opportunities, some easier than others.

A succession of free kicks and bookings conceded by the home team gave Spartak territorial advantage but they could not add to their lead.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Dave Kernan 7 Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Tom O’Driscoll 5 Seamus McCahill 6

15.3.15
Queens Park 0, Spartak 2

In bumpy and breezy conditions in Brickfields, the home side handed out some early introductions, conceding free kicks in the process.

Spartak huffed and puffed but Steve Walsh’s efforts went direct to the keeper, while Stev Grier had a valid penalty claim denied. Neil McGowan’s header brought a fine save from the keeper.

The breakthrough came when Steve Grier headed powerfully home from Martin Costello’s corner

Early in the second half Queens Park suffered a red card from an innocuous situation, and shortly afterwards Dave Kernan’s run brought a corner. The ball was half cleared and Stev Grier fired a left footed volley to the roof of the net.

The ten men gave a good acccount of themselves and Spartak could not add to their lead.

A clean sheet and three points.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 6 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 6 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Ken Buckley 6 Ciaran Keane 5