Spartak Dynamo FC

Date
Spartak 0, Walkinstown 2

Spartak played an effective low block which frustrated Walkinstown for most of the game. Enjoying the majority of possession, the visitors created few clear chances as the Sky Blues, forced on the defensive, put in a good shift.

The visitors frustration grew as their attacking moves were nullified by some excellent blocks, tackles and interceptions.

After Walkinstown took the lead on 76 minutes, Conor Brady had Spartak’s best chance; his low near post shot was parried away for a corner, which came to nothing.

A last minute effort put a gloss on the final scoreline for a relieved Walkinstown.

Form Report
John Luke Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 6 Chris Hogan 7 Liam Caffrey 7 Owen McCormack 7 Eric Barber 7 Leo Behan 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dale Mulllins 6 Conor Brady 6 Jason Fenlon 7.
Sub : Kevin Murphy 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

19.1.19

Spartak 3, Clondalkin Celtic 5

An eventful game which saw Spartak concede two penalties – one foolishly, and the other extremely harsh

A score from a harsh penalty after 5 minutes put the visitors ahead. This was quickly followed by a sloppily conceded goal at the back post.

Mick Leslie fired over from a good position and Conor Brady had a right footed effort which was too soft to trouble the keeper. Neil McGowan clipped the top of the bar with a header, and also forced a good save from the Celtic custodian, before scoring via a post after good work from Dale Mullins. A second penalty needlessly conceded gave the vistors a half time 3-1 advantage.

Spartak began the second half in strong fashion, and Jason Fenlon was unfortunate to see his effort strike the foot of the post and rebound into the keepers hands. Dale Mullins, stretching, pulled his shot across goal and wide, and Kevin Murphy will rue his close range effort, firing directly at the keeper.
The visitors then stretched their lead by two to make it 5-1.

The Sky Blues showed a never say die spirit and hopes were lifted when a Neil McGowan volley from 25 yards was followed quickly by a visiting defender putting through his own goal.
Spartak piled on the pressure, forced a number of corners and scrambles, had the ball in the net but given offside.
Clondalkin defended frantically as the course of the game swung in Spartak’s favour, and were the happier to hear the final whistle.

Form Report
Steve Grier 6 Ciaran Brady 6 Chris Hogan 6 Owen McCormack 7 Kevin Murphy 5 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Jason Fenlon 5 Conor Brady 5
Subs: Billy O’Neill 6 Conor Callis 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Liam Caffrey 6

2.3.19
Mt Merrion 2, Spartak 2

Spartak took a valuable point in a wind ruined game in Rosemount.

Played on a cold afternoon in near gale conditions, both teams had to battle against the elements and their opponents.
Spartak took an early lead when a wind assisted effort by Carl Fenlon flew into the net.

Mt Merrion struck back and prodded home following a cross.

Spartaks’ best chance of the second half fell to Carl Fenlon, but he fired just wide after a good move.

Liam Caffrey produced some excellent stops to keep the Sky Blues in the game, but was beaten by a free kick with just three minutes left.

It was well into injury time, with Spartak throwing caution to the (very strong) wind when Mo Sheleg picked up a loose clearance and crossed for Seamus McCahill to knock in a deserved equaliser.

Form Report
Liam Caffrey 7 Chris Hogan 7 Mick Leslie 7 Seamus McCahill 8 Kevin Murphy 6 Eric Barber 6 Conor Callis 6 Mo Sheleg 5 Jason Fenlon 7 Carl Fenlon 7 Niall Lennon 8.
Sub: Corey Coyle 5

9.2.19
Spartak 6, DCU 2

Spartak overcame a rugged DCU side in some style, leading by six until concentration lapsed to spoil the clean sheet.

A bad foul on Jeff Gamble necessitated an early change; the yellow card meted out to the culprit seemed hardly sufficient given the nature of the challenge.

DCU had claims for a goal when the ball was scrmbled off the line, but the ref ruled no goal. It wasnt until the 35th minute that the Sky Blues made the breakthrough. Mo Sheleg, on for Jeff, crossed; Neil McGowan and JAson Fenlon worked the opening for Conor Brady. Conor’s first effort skidded away wide of the posts, but Mo Sheleg retrieved the ball and crossed again. Conor fired high into the net. 1-0

Spartak quickly added a as second after good work by Kevin Cunningham and Carl Fenlon allowed Jason Fenlon to shoot home.

In the second half, confidence surged after Jason Fenlon scored from outside the box. Neil McGowan and Mo Sheleg combined to allow Carl Fenlon to make it 4; then when Neil McGowan was pulled down in the box, Spartak had the luxury of missing the resultant penalty, Carl Fenlon’s weak effort was easily saved, although the situation was retrieved Conor Brady slotted in the rebound.

Neil McGowan sent Conor Callis through to round the keeper and make it six, before late lapses gave the visitors a degree of consolation.

Form Report
Liam Caffrey 7 Kevin Cunningham 8 Chris Hogan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Lennon 8 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Carl Fenlon 8 Jason Fenlon 8 Conor Brady 7
Subs: Conor Callis 7 Mo Sheleg 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