Spartak Dynamo FC

7.5.13
Larkview 5 , Spartak 3

The Sky Blues initially caved in in this game; in fact the back four was practically non existent for the first half and the home side helped themselves to four goals, all of the very preventable type.

It was a physical contest, with a too lenient referee, and the home side showed a great deal more appetite for the fray.

Spartak created the first chance of the game, with Thom O’Driscoll and Conor Maguire carving out a chance for Steve Walsh; but he delayed his shot and the chance was lost.

A catalogue of defensive errors ensued with the four goals conceded in a 14 minute spell from the 27th minute ; a cross which should have been cut out was nodded in, then the rearguard was statuesque for the next two goals, allowing the home side to virtually walk the ball in; Steve Grier then presented number four on a plate when caught in possession.

A horror show.

On 50 minutes it got worse; 0-5.

In fairness the Sky Blues did not give up and the home side rested on their laurels somewhat. Dave Browne’s throw was flicked on by Conor Maguire for Dave Thomson to get one back on 58 minutes; Alan Farrington availed of the keeper’s error to score with a neat chip; and when Conor Maguire slammed in the third with a superb effort from outside the box we were suddenly in a game, as the home side were bewildered by the turn of events.

A fourth might have increased home nerves further, but the Sky Blues could not manage another goal.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Alan Farrington 5 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5

30.4.13
Spartak 1 Jobstown 2

The visitors arrived in fine fettle, having just qualified for the Cup Final.
Spartak, on the other hand , were hampered by players missing through injury, exams and work commitments and had to adjust accordingly, with players playing out of position in some cases.

Steve Walsh, in the unaccustomed position of left back, made a fine clearing header,to deny the visitors and acquitted himself well throughout . Conor Maguire put in a good stint as support forward and also helped out in midfield.

Jobstown took the lead on 10 minutes after a defensive mix up.

Spartak’s best chance to equalise came on 41 minutes when Thom O’Driscoll’s corner was headed wide by the unmarked Dave Browne.

On 61 minutes the visitors went two up in controversial circumstances, with Derek Ruxton leading the protests and this was to prove costly later as he received a second yellow for another verbal challenge on the referee’s authority.

The ten men set about their task in fine fashion, and almost salvaged a draw in difficult circumstances.

On 70 minutes, Steve Walsh hit the bar and Conor Maguire made no mistake from the rebound

Man of the Match – Conor Maguire

28.4.13
Dundrum 2, Spartak 2

This game had an end of season feel despite the unseasonal cool weather. The Sky Blues were missing players as injuries mounted, and had the added problem of a car break down for keeper Jason Northey. Adam Doran capably deputised between the posts in Jason’s absence, and was soon in action when a wayward ball by Dave Thomson and hesitation by Keith Kelly and Seamus McCahill allowed the home forward through but Adam saved well.

A sloppy back header by Niall Hanratty seemed to put the number 9 in a perfect scoring position, but, luckily for Spartak, his touch let him down.

Spartak took the lead on 22 minutes when Thom O’Driscoll’s corner was cleared to Seamus McCahill who fired the ball back in, and a clever flick from Conor Maguire left the keeper helpless. Moments later some good attacking work by Steve Walsh, O’Driscoll and Maguire saw chaos in the home defence, Hanratty finally turning the ball in past a defender on the line , but the goal was disallowed for offside with the keeper out of his goal.

A good Dave Thomson run saw him nudged in the back when about to cross, but honest Dave stayed on his feet, and then Steve Walsh fired over from the edge of the box.

Spartak had a great chance to take the lead on 51 minutes.when Dave Browne’s pass sent Steve Walsh away on the right, only to be chopped down. From the free the ball fell to Dave Thomson a couple of yards out, but, hampered by defenders, he only succeeded in turning the ball into the keeper’s arms. The game swung the other wasy a minute later Dave Thomson was then harshly penalised and Dave Browne’s man eluded him to head home the equaliser at the back post.

Worse was to follow on 64 minutes when the locals took the lead from what seemed a blatantly offside position.

The Sky Blues redoubled their efforts and had a few efforts blocked before they finally equalised on 84 minutes after good approach play by Aodhan McCahill and Steve Walsh allowed Conor Maguire slip the ball neatly past the keeper.

Form Report
Adam Doran 7 Dave Browne 5 Aodhan McCahill 6 Seamus McCahill 5 Keith Kelly 6 Ken Buckley 5 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 8 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Lee Malone 5 Niall Lennon 5

23.4.12
Knockmitten 2 Spartak 1

This was a game which Spartak expected to win, but failed to apply the effort and skill to do so. Indeed the Sky Blues lost most of the individual battles against a side who had not registered a win for months.

After a scoreless first half a catastrophic error after 58 minutes by Seamus McCahill (and a lack of cover by his fellow defenders) in failing to deal with a long through ball presented the home side with a simple goal.

Energised by the goal, Knockmitten, embroiled in a relegation battle, responded and added a second goal on 65 minutes as the Spartak defence parted like the Red Sea.

Substitute Steve Grier, back after an injury lay off, led a comeback of sorts, and scored after 83 minutes. But despite an increased level of application, Spartak could not force an equaliser.

This was after a first half which the Sky Blues strolled trough in desultory fashion, thinking they could score when they liked; it was not the case.

Conor Maguire will feel ill used by a very unsympathetic referee who might have awarded two penalty kicks and many frees, but who, as they say, let the game flow.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 4 Seamus McCahill 4 Derek Ruxton 6 Neil McGowan 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 5 Alan Farrington 4 David Garavan 5 Steve Grier 6

17.4.13
Spartak 4, Beechwood 3

The visitors, three down after 13 minutes, fought back to equalise in the 90th minute from the spot. However the two minutes of injury time were sufficient for the Sky Blues to rouse themselves and score following a corner kick.

The game opened brightly for the Sky Blues as Conor Maguire coolly took advantage of a goalkeeping error to give the home side the lead on 5 minutes. Four minutes later Keith Kelly won a header to send Conor maguire away and his pass put Neil McGowan in but a defender obliged with an og.

On just 13 minutes a Seamus McCahill free sent Alan Farrington clear and he finished from close range.

Steve Walsh almost made it 4 but the keeper saved.

Beechwood got a foothold in the game from the penalty spot when Thom O’Driscoll was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

Spartak were looking comfortable until Eggy was intoduced as a substitute; his error let the visitors in for their second on 81 minutes and then on 90 minutes a rash challenge gave a 90th minute penalty for the equaliser. However he saved some embarrassment by heading home Alan Farrington’s corner deep into injury time.

Man of the match : Derek Ruxton

14.4.13
Spartak 3, St Pats SC 0

A sloppy first half performance saw Spartak set up some chances, but not nearly enough given the timid approach of the visitors. Neil McGowan combined with Steve Walsh with the latter hitting the bar, and then McGowan headed wide after a Dave Browne long throw. Walsh then fired straight at the keeper when well positioned.

The breakthrough came on 51 minutes when Conor Maguire played in Neil McGowan and his shot from 18 yards went straight through the keeper’s legs. Steve Walsh played Conor Maguire through for a neat finish 10 minutes later and the game was over as a contest.

Maguire added number three on 69 minutes, but try as he might could not complete his hatrick.

A routine win and a performance which never reached the heights.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 S McCahill 7 Kelly 7 Ruxton 8 McGowan 7 Farrington 6 O Driscoll 6 Maguire 8 Walsh 6 Buckley 6 Burke 6 Malone 6

14.4.13
Leinster Junior Shield Semi Final
Oatfield /Shancastle 7 Spartak 0

An unhappy morning at Ballyowen Asto Pitch after Oatfield’s pitch was deemed unplayable.

There followed Spartak’s worst performance of the season.

While the first goal could be deemed unfortunate when players stopped as Sean Doyle went down injured, the second was a soft concession as David Marlow failed to gather. Spartak’s hopes of a comeback when Sean Doyle was harshly red carded for a last man tackle, just before half time, when he clearly won the ball.

It was a game when the Sky Blues could not muster a single decent attacking move and committed calamitous errors at the back.

The result was inevitable given the performance.

Form Report
David Marlow 4 Chris Hogan 4 Fintan Grace 4 Sean Doyle 4 Cathal Clancy 4 Stephen Barr 4 Steve O’Hara 4 Jeff Gamble 4 Dermot Dooley 4 Paul Byrne 4 Martin Costello 4
Subs Conor Callis 4 Glen Burke 4 Niall Lennon 4

The Sky Blues will be led out on Friday 24th May by captain Fintan Grace for a final against long time competition favourites Crumlin United under 19s, who have cruised through their league and this competition (so far). Despite their youth , Crumlin present formidable opposition.

The game is a 7.30 kick off in John Hyland Park Baldonnel, home of St Francis FC. Looks like being a gala occasion at a fine ground.

Directions:
From M50 take Red Cow exit and proceed past Newlands Cross
Take exit 2 for Baldonnel, turn right over the bridge at the top of the ramp
Straight through the first roundabout, take a left at the second roundabout, and John Hyland Park is 300 yards on the left.

7.4.13
Jobstown 2 Spartak 1

Basic defensive errors proved the undoing of the Sky Blues in this fixture. Having taken the lead when Derek Ruxton’s shot went in with the aid of a deflection after good work by Conor Maguire, and Stephen Walsh lobbing over when he looked odds on to score, the good work was undone by poor defensive organisation.

Keith Kelly fired in a free which Seamus McCahill had gone forward; the other defenders, Dave Browne and Aodhan McCahill had the job of covering one forward. Keith’s free was cleared and Aodhan’s attempted header only improved the position for the Jobstown striker who ran fifty yards, easily outpacing Dave Browne, to clip neatly over the advancing Jason Northey; earlier Jason had saved well when Dave Browne missed his clearance and Jason had to be on his toes as his back four were sloppy at times.

Jobstown enjoyed plenty of possession but clear chances were few and far between.

The winning goal arrived from a corner when Lee Malone’s man evaded him to power in a header.

A last minute corner by Alan Farrington was touched on to the bar by the home keeper and Neil McGowan was unable to apply the finishing touch from an acute angle.

There were positives from the game in the continuing return from injury of Thom and Keith; but a workmanlike performance was spoiled by basic, and very avoidable, defensive errors.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Keith Kelly 6 Aodhan McCahill 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Dave Browne 4 Derek Ruxton 5 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Alan Farrington 5 Conor Maguire 6 Stephen Walsh 5
Thom O’Driscoll 5 Lee Malone 5

21.4.13
Spartak 1 Blessington 2

The league leaders, in pole position for the title, met a Spartak side who gave them a fright in their quest for honours with a decent performance.

The visitors took the lead on 10 minutes and added number two from a free kick which deceived Jason Northey after 26 minutes.

Although Dave Browne had a header saved in between the goals, for a while it looked as if Bblessington would add considerably to their scoreline but , thanks to increased efforts by the Sky Blues, that did not happen.

Derek Ruxton fired over after a move involving Dave Browne and Conor Maguire.

In teh second half Blessington concentrated on protectin their two goal advantage, with Spartak having the better chances. Conor Maguire fired wide and then when Keith Kelly’s free was fumbled Derek Ruxton shot over.

On 66 minutes after a short free Coor Maguire’s effort came back off the post and Seamus McCahill knocked in to reduce arrears.

However Blessington dug in with the game becoming feisty and the Sky Blues could not find what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Form Report –
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Ken Buckley 6