Spartak Dynamo FC

Spartak over 35s 1, Rathcoole 3.

A three goal blast in the first 12 minutes of the second half by the visitors ended Spartak’s recent run and reversed the Sky Blues recent 4-1 cup win over the same opposition.

In a drab first half where the play matched the gloomy weather the game started at a slow tempo with both sides content to play the percentage ball. The first chance fell to the visitors but the forward, having outpaced the defence, blazed over. Spartak picked up somewhat but missed a couple of key chances. Paddy Hughes was through one on one but the keeper saved and, in Spartak’s best move, Shay McClafferty’s ball released Paddy down the right his fine cross was headed over by Brendan Mooney.

Half time was 0-0. Then came those decisive 12 minutes. A long range effort eluded Jimmy Browne for the first; a header when left unattended by the Spartak cover for number two, and with the home defence reeling a dinked ball over the top caught out the back four and the low cross was turned in.
Brendan Mooney opted to shoot at the keeper from a narrow angle rather than cross to better placed colleagues after the first Rathcoole goal.
Spartak then mounted an attempted comeback and reduced arrears when Frank McNamee nodded down Matt Grimes free for Rory Campbell to slot home.
Spartak pressed hard ad finished strongly but te Rathcoole defence worked hard and did not concede again.

Spartak: Jimmy Browne Dave Mohan Barry Crowe Tom Maher Greg Callan Matt Grimes Brian Stafford Frank McNamee Paddy Hughes Shay McCalfferty Brendan Mooney Mark Byrne Con Mooney Rory Campbell

Please post your team for LMS week 3. This weeks automatic pick is Bolton. Full fixtures are available on the Last Man tab above. The prize fund is a minimium €150

St Kevin’s 2 SDFC 4

Spartak over 35’s made the journey to South Wicklow on Saturday and came away with the 3 points after a tough encounter on a difficult pitch.

The Spartak side were slow to settle and produced a very flat performance for the first 30 minutes. The home side were sharper to the ball and created two early chances when cross field balls allowed their left winger in behind the Spartak defensive line but fortunately he failed to capitalise on both occasions.

The home side opened the scoring after 20 minutes when their striker was gifted a free header from a corner to easily place the ball past Jimmy Browne. With the visiting midfield struggling to assert any authority on the game, there was little threat coming from Spartak and the score remained 1-0 to St Kevin’s at the break.

On the resumption, there was much more urgency and competitiveness in Spartak’s play with the defensive and midfield lines gradually getting on top.  A deserved equaliser arrived courtesy of Paddy Hughes from a free kick that was awarded by the local ref for the keeper handling the ball outside his area. Midway through the second half a neat passing move involving several Spartak players culminated with Ken Byrne stretching forward to tap home an excellent cross from Brendan Mooney to make the score 2-1.

With 20 minutes to go St Kevin’s were awarded a penalty following a foul by Brendan Mooney.  To the relief of the visitors the kick was sent wide and the game completely changed.  Literally a few minutes later a long punt by Jimmy Browne was misjudged by the home defence and Paddy Hughes raced clear to finish his second and Spartak’s third goal. Rory Campbell then finished well to make it 4-1.

There was still time for Spartak to have a few lapses in concentration resulting in one goal scored and two goal scoring opportunities missed for the opposition.

Overall, it was far from a vintage performance by the visiting Spartak team but a competitive effort particularly in the second half was just about enough to bring home the three points.

The Spartak squad was: Jimmy Browne, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Ken Byrne, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Shay McClafferty, Mark Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Rory Campbell, Brendan Mooney, Leon David, Tom Maher.

Please post your team for LMS week 2. This weeks automatic pick is Chelsea. Full fixtures are available on the Last Man tab above.

SDFC 4 Rathcoole 1

After dethroning the champions Greenhills in the previous round Spartak received what could be perceived as a favourable draw in getting a home fixture against a team (albeit the leaders) from our own division. This match was played due to the goodwill of Wayside Celtic in their home ground after Marlay was declared unplayable.

Facing wet and blustery conditions, Spartak started very well and scored after 10 minutes with a well taken shot on the turn from Paddy Hughes.  The home side continued to pile on the pressure but could not add to the tally with Ken Byrne, Liam Cullen and Matt Grimes all having having half chances.  Rathcoole did come more into the game as the half wore on and it needed a very good save from Jimmy Browne low to his left to ensure that the home side went into the break one up.

The second half started with Rathcoole upping the tempo and with some neat passing they pressed the Spartak midfield back into defensive duty. They deservedly got back on level terms when a ball down the right caused some confusion that allowed the right winger to nip in ahead of the defensive cover and Jimmy Browne to slot home a decent goal.

With their tails up, the away side went looking for a lead goal and it required resolute defending from the back four of Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath and Gerry Doran to keep the scores level. Having weathered the storm, the Spartak midfield trio of Stafford, McNamee and Grimes began to get on top again and mid way through the second half Paddy Hughes latched on to a through ball from Brendan Mooney to calmly slot his and Spartak’s second goal.

Spartak finished the remainder of the game very strong, Rory Campbell worked hard to create a goal scoring opportunity for the overlapping Ken Byrne from which he made no mistake. Shay McClafferty then set up Frank McNamee who dragged his shot badly wide but almost on full time McNamee did hit the target to score Spartak’s fourth goal and put some gloss on what was actually a hard earned victory.

A good performance with the home side showing the benefit of a sustained effort at training. The cup run continues but the big guns lie in wait.

SDFC squad was: Jimmy Browne, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath, Gerry Doran, Brian Stafford, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Ken Byrne, Liam Cullen, Paddy Hughes, Brendan Mooney, Rory Campbell, Shay McClafferty. Subs not used – Leon David, Mark Byrne.

Last Man Standing is re-starting next week. Entry to the game is €10 to be paid ASAP. All payments must be made by week 3 or you will automatically eliminated. For the first 3 weeks there will be an automatic pick given, if you do not provide a team. This weeks automatic pick will be Manchester United. Please post your team below otherwise you will be given Manchester United. As long as your team keeps winning you will be entered into next weeks draw. Like the last round everyone gets 2 chances. 1st prize will be 50% of the pot. This weeks fixtures are posted on the Last Man tab above.

Saturday Team AWAY to White Church
Sunday Team HOME to Hillcrest
Over 35’s AWAY to Garden Co.

Spartak over 35’s knock the holders Greenhills afc out of the Clifford Cup.

Last Saturday Spartak over 35’s travelled away to Greenhills AFC in the 2nd round of the Clifford cup. Greenhills AFC having all the advantage of being at home and being in the top division in the Seniors Premier Division,two divisions ahead of Spartak were not expecting to be beaten. Drawing on the super performance from the previous week Spartak started with a game plan that saw a very defensive formation of 4-5-1.This worked wonders, which seen us first frustrate the opposition and then pounce with 17 mins to go in the 2nd half to go ahead with a well worked move from Shea Mcafferty and Frank McNamee which saw Frank burst from the middle and calmly slot past the keeper.There were some outstanding individual performances, which crowned Jimmy Brown man of the match for the second week running, Frank Mcnamee’s timeley runs from the middle and Paddy Hughes constant persistence and workman like performance up front. With 17 mins to go Greenhills suddenly came to life and began to throw everything at Spartak (even the kitchen sink) .Spartak showed true grit and defended to save their lives, which also resulted in a few break away chances.Spartak won out on the day 1-0 and the whole squad that were involved should be commended for there tremendous efforts as everyone played a part.

 Over 35’s Squad: Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul McGrath, Barry Crowe, Mark Byrne,Frank McNamee,Paul Burke, Matt Grimes,Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes,  Leon Davids and Shea Mcafferty, Rory Campbell.

 
Spartak 35’s 2 Garden County 0

Two weeks ago saw the over 35’s play at home against the league leaders at the time Garden County,which resulted in a 2-0 win for the home team.This was a super performance from the whole squad and a joy to watch from the sideline.From the very start there was some slick passing from the backs
to the middle and some exhausting work done up front.Overall a truly huge performance for the over 35’s which keeps us in touch in the league.Some great performaces on the day were noted, which resulted in Paul Burke scoring two top class goals, Jimmy Brown (Man of the match) making some top drawer saves, Brian Stafford bossing the midfield, and Paddy Hughes being a constant nuisance to their defence.The teams performance overall was outstanding.

Over 35’s Squad:

 Jimmy Brown, Dave Mohan, Greg Callan, Paul Mcgrath, Barry Crowe, Matt Grimes, Frank McNamee, Brian Stafford, Paul Burke, Ken Byrne, Paddy Hughes, Mark Byrne, Leon Davids, Brendan Mooney, Jason Doyle, Rory Campbell.

Please post your selection for Last Man Standing Week 4. This is the final week with an automatic pick. This weeks team is Blackpool. If you dont select a team you will get Blackpool. Also anyone not paid up by the weekend will be eliminated. Fixtures are on the Last Man tab above.

Saturday Team – HOME to Booth Road Celtic
Sunday Team – AWAY to Iveagh Celtic KICK OFF IS 2.30pm
Over 35’s – AWAY to Greenhills AFC in the cup.