Spartak Dynamo FC

7.4.19
Bohs SC 1, Spartak 2

An injury time penalty miss by the home side meant Spartak held on to the three points. It looked odds on a draw, but the spot kick was blazed over.

Indeed it was only in the last minute of normal time that Spartak took the lead. Steve Grier fired in a free from the edge of the box, having earlier seen a similar effort hit the woodwork.

Spartak took a first half lead when Owen Marron was first to touch in a long free kick from Kevin Cunningham. The hosts had created chnaces, struck the wood work themselves.

For a long spell it seemed that one goal would suffice, but confusion in the Spartak defence saw Bohs equalise with 15 minutes remaining. Substitutes made an impact, Billy O’Neill went close, while Jeff Gamble livened up the Spartak attack.

Then came the late late show.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Jimmy Dawson 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Steve Grier 8 Ian Harmon 7 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Owen Marron 6 Kamel Moussa 6 Cian Stenson 5
Subs: Mauro Segovia 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Billy O’Neill 7 Amin Afsar 5

31.3.19
Spartak 2, Tymon 0

A goal by substitute Kamel Moussa in the 83rd minute proved decisive, and finally broke Tymon’s resistance; Owen MAroon added number two in injury time.

Spartak began well, and Cian Stenson was just wide from Neil McGowan’s pass. Niall Hanratty’s snapshot was just wide; Tymon blocked an effort from Niall Lennon. Several more half chances came Spartak’s way, but it was not all one way traffic as the visitors number 10 was just wide with a good effort.

Frustration grew as Niall Lennon just failed to play Owen Marron clear, while Niall Hanratty unwisely attempted a chipped effort, easily saved, when Cian Stenson put him clear.

Tymon had a header from a corner just wide asthe tie threatened to drift away from the Sky Blues.

Finally, Cian Stenson’s cross travelled across goal for Kamel Moussa to drive it back inside the post, before Owen Marron added the second.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Kevin Cunningham 7 Ian Harmon 8 Steve Grier 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Owen Marron 6 Naill Lennon 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Kamel Moussa 7 Dave Browne 6 Mauro Segovia 6

24.3.19
Spartak 1, Cabinteely 1

Injuries and absentees saw Spartak field the bare 11 against second place Cabinteely.

A fantastic display by Jason Northey, beaten only by a penalty, kept Cabo at bay. Jason made several excellent stops, not least when Billy O’Neill appeared to have been fouled, leaving the striker one on one.

The overworked Spartak back four played really well, and the visitors were shocked when Kamel Moussa smashed in from the edge of the box to equalise in a rare Spartak attack.

Mick Greene, in a free role, played a vital part of the resistance, while Neil McGowan and Stuart Love got through a mountain of work in centre midfield.

A satisfying result in the circumstances.

From Report
Jason Northey 9 Jimmy Dawson 8 Steve Grier 8 Billy O’Neill 7 Cian Stenson 8 Kamel Moussa 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Greene 6 Stuart Love 7 Mauro Segovia 6 Amin Afsar 6

10.3.19
Spartak 4, Liffey Athletic 4
Spartak win 5-4 on penalties.

An injury and suspension hit Spartak could field only 11 players on this occasion; Glen Burke was included despite a groin strain, and made a significant contribution in the first period, before being reduced to walking wounded status in the second half.

Conditions in Marlay were heavy, with an early snow storm threatening the game. The sleet and snow blew over after about ten minutes; any more and there would have been a postponement.

Liffey took an early lead against the run of play, but some sprightly attacking play saw Spartak lead 3-1 at the interval; Glen Burke knocked in twice from close range, and also pulled back an over hit cross for Neil McGowan to
smash in.

A long range effort saw Liffey reduce arrears and a header from a corner, poorly defended, forced extra time. Liffey made several subs; Spartak were in effect playing with ten. Liffey took the lead for the first time after a mix up, but Dave Browne joyously headed in Niall Hanratty’s corner kick at the back post to force the shootout.

Kevin Loftus saved twice from the first spot kick, the ref having ordered a retake; but was injured in the process, Niall Hanratty had to go between the sticks, having uneasily scored the Sky Blues first effort. Cian Stenson, Neil McGowan, Kevin Cunningham all converted before Tom O’Driscoll banged in a peach of a pen to put Spartak in the next round.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 8 Jimmy Dawson 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Kevin Cunningham 8 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 7
Owen Marron 7 Glen Burke 8 Cian Stenson 7

13.1.19
Edenderry 1, Spartak 3

Spartak struck early with a goal of the season contender. In a sweeping move, Kevin Cunningham sent Ger Byrne away on the right, and his cross was met first time on the edge of the box by Neil McGowan, whose venomous shot to the corner left the keeper helpless.

For most of the remainder of the first half, Edenderry were on top, and equalised, as well as discomfiting the Sky Blue defence. Blocks from Ian Harmon and a goal line clearance from Tom O’Driscoll kept the home team from adding to the score. In breaks, Cian Stenson hit the bar, and then had a good header form Kevin Cunningham’s cross clawed away by the keeper, while Niall Hanratty was just wide with a header.

It was a different story at the start of the second half, as Spartak upped the tempo. Cian Stenson again brought two good saves from the keeper, while Ger Byrne fired over from close range. Niall Hanratty was narrowly over from distance after spotting the keeper off his line.

Ger Byrne then exchanged passes with Cian Stenson before firing in low to put Spartak ahead.

The home keeper unfortunately collided with Cian Stenson and had to retire injured. (He was fine after the game). Edenderry were unperturbed by this setback and sought the equaliser. Twice they seemed to have achieved their aim, but marvellous clearances by Ian Harmon and Tom O’Driscoll prevented them.

Tom O’Driscoll and Cian Stenson combined to allow Owen Marron to get the clinching score.

A satisfying win.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 Kevin Cunningham 8 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Steve Grier 7 Ian Harmon 8 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Jimmy Dawson 6 Ger Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 7
Subs: Owen Marron 7 Dave Browne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6

9.12.18
Spartak 0, Bohs SC 2

A frustrating day for the Sky Blues.

Despite Spartak looking stronger, Bohs went in a half time ahead, thanks to a break away. Spartak ahd gone close when Amin Afsar hit the bar, but despite good possession , had not created too many clear chances. Jason Fenlon fired at the keeper from the edge of the box, and Neil McGowan had a first time effort wide.

Worse followed, as Bohs tacked on number two.

Spartak then responded, but could not reduce arrears; Steve Grier clipped the top of the bar, Owen Marron fired wide from close in, and the last 20 frantic minutes produced many chances for the Skay Blues, held scoreless for the first time this season.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Ian Harmon 7 Steve Grier 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Owen Marron 5
Jason Fenlon 6 Amin Afsar 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Leo Behan 7 Niall Lennon 7 Ciaran Brady 6

1.12.18

River Valley Rangers 2, Spartak 3

Once again, Spartak were grateful to the goalscoring prowess of skipper Ger Byrne, who pounced for the winner from close range to clinch the points.

On a heavy pitch, the home side took the lead after some pressure. Jason Northey had already made a good stop, but could not prevent the score.

Amin Afsar went close before Niall Hanratty reacted quickest in the six yard box to equalise.

Ger Byrne sent Stuart Love away on the left and his first time cross was headed in by Amin Afsar. A collectors item.

A changeover caught out the Sky Blues and Ian Harmon could only propel the cross to his own net. Dave Browne risked all from another dangerous cross but fortunately his header went out for a corner.

Late on, Amin Afsar’s corner resulted in a scramble in the box, and the loose ball was fired in by an exultant Ger Byrne.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Kevin Cunningham 6 Dave Browne 6 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Stuart Love 7 Amin Afsar 7 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Ger Byrne 7 Niall Hanratty 7
Subs: Jimmy Dawson 7 Niall Lennon 6 Luke Russell Hallinan 6

18.11.18
Cabinteely 1, Spartak 2

An opportunist Ger Byrne goal snatched victory in the dying moments, just when it seemed a draw was inevitable.

Spartk had the best of the opening exchanges, and Cian Stenson missed a presentable opportunity before Stuart Love nodded in Dave Browne’s assist.

Both sides missed good chances before the interval, but it remained 1-0 to the Sky Blues.

The home side mounted an onslaught in the second period, and equalised after some sustained pressure.

A second yellow saw Spartak reduce to 10 men for the final quarter.

Spartak, however, defended brilliantly dug in and fought back for a winning score right at the death.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 6 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Ian Harmon 8 Steve Grier 8 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mo Sheleg 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Ger Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 7
Sub: Niall Lennon 6 Luke Russell Hallinan 6

7.10.18
Ayrfield 2, Spartak 3

An early 2-0 lead gave the Sky Blues the platform for this victory.

Mo Sheleg’s cross was met by Cian Stenson, and when the keeper could only parry, Mick Leslie made no mistake from six yards.

Mick Leslie made it two with a fine header form Owen Marron’s cross. Spartak remained in control of the first half, with Stuart Love wide from good position, although Niall Hanratty was forced to make a sharp save.

The home side replied immediately after the break, and then might have equalised when Owen Marron’s misplaced pass inadvertently put the striker through, only to lob over the crossbar.

Owen Marron took advantage of a goalkeeper error to prod in the third, and chances thereafter were evenly distributed. Mick Leslie had a good opportunity but could not complete his hattrick, while Dave Browne made a vital block. Ayrfield got a second close to the end, but the Sky Blues held firm

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 7 Jimmy Dawson 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Owen Marron 6 Mo Sheleg 6 Mick Leslie 7 Neil McGowan 6 Cian Stenson 6.
Subs: Amin Afsar 5 Chris Hogan

29.9.18
Spartak 2, Edenderry Town 2

By the time the Sky Blues woke up in this match they faced a two goal deficit.

Indeed it was all Edenderry as Spartak contributed to their supremacy with lethargic, and sometimes sloppy, passing.

A panicky clearance ricocheted nicely for a visiting forward to put Edenderry ahead; and some ball watching allowed a second goal. Spartak had put together one fine move at nil-nil, with Keith Kelly and Ger Byrne combining to give Steve Grier a chance close in, but in attempting to clip the ball over the keeper Steve hit the top of the bar, and over.

Stuart Love gave Stev Grier a chance of a shot, which the keeper saved at the expense of a corner. Amin Afsar’s flag kick was nodded in by Stuart Love, just before half time.

Spartak showed purpose in the second period, and got into some good crossing positions, without unduly troubly the visiting net minder.

With 15 minutes remaining, a Ger Byrne pass put Mo Sheleg in on goal; his shot was blocked, but Jeff Gamble, following up, equalised.

Spartak, energised, now went for the win; Cian Stenson and Neil McGowan both went close, but the best chance fell to Stuart Love who headed over from close range.

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 6 Keith Kelly 6 Cian Stenson 7 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 5 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Amin Afsar 5
Sub Chris Hogan 5 Mohammed Sheleg 6