Spartak Dynamo FC

LMS starts next week – premier league fixtures for 20th/21st will be posted.

Rules

Entry fee €10 proceeds 50% to winner and 50% to club.

Each week nominate a premier league side to win by posting on the site; if your team draws or loses you are out; you can select each team only once in each competition. Last man standing scoops the prize.

First nominations to be in by Thursday 18th Feb.

Good luck!

Saturday Team – AWAY to Drimnagh Celtic – Junior Shield – Won 1-0

Sunday Team – HOME to St. Pats – Tom Cullen Cup – Won 3-2

Over 35’s – HOME to Knockmitten – Clifford Cup – Won 5-4

SDFC Over 35’s 3 Portmarnock 6

Spartak over 35’s suffered a second home defeat in as many weeks as a very poor first half performance cost the team dearly.

Starting with 3 at the back the home side were exposed straight from the kick-off.  The right winger found himself in acres of space to provide a good cross that was half cleared to an umarked player whose shot was parried by Jimmy Browne resulting in a tap in for their striker. This put Portmarnock 1 nil up without any outfield Spartak player having touched the ball or made a tackle. This dismal start did not get any better when 3 minutes later a mis-kick from Jimmy Browne found an unmarked midfielder on the edge of the box who easily lobbed the ball over Jimmy’s head to put the away side 2 up.

The Spartak team finally started to compete and started to get a grip around the middle. Good attacking play forced a free kick which John Hallihan headed towards goal and the inrushing Gerry Doran provided a skillful touch to pull a goal back for Spartak. There followed a good period for Spartak with sustained pressure on the Portmarnock goal resulting in Frank McNamee having a shot that was parried away by the keeper and half chances for Rory Campbell and Barry Crowe. A good chance also fell to Dave Mohan who volleyed over.

Against the run of play Portmarnock broke up the left hand side a ball was played through and finished to go 3-1 up. This goal seemed to stun the home side as Portmarnock proceeded to score two further goals to go 5-1 up at the break. Both were excellent long range efforts but on neither occasion was there a challenge on the shot.

In fairness the team responded to the call from Barry Crowe to raise its game in the second half and started to compete well in every position. Gerry Doran, Barry Crowe and Paul Burke were setting up movements with some good passing and the workrate seemed to improve throughout the whole team.   With Spartak again applying a lot of pressure half chances fell to Ray Grady and Rory Campbell. Spartak finally pulled a goal back when excellent play by Ray Grady set up Frank McNamee who’s shot was expertly tipped over the bar by the hand of their centre half (thanks).  A straight red card was issued and Paul Burke made no mistake from the spot kick to make it 5-2.

With the opposition down to 10 men Spartak did press forward and seek another goal. On a rare break down the field the Portmarnock right full mishit a cross from the sideline that deceived Jimmy Browne and looped under the bar to give them their sixth goal. To its credit the home side continued to press forward right to the end and the final action of the match was a Frank McNamee headed goal from a good corner by Ray Grady.

Overall a very disappointing defeat which I am sure all would agree was the result of a dismal first half where the competitiveness and workrate was a long way from what the team is capable of.

Requesting a better turnout at training this week please.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran

SDFC Over 35’s 1 Peamount 3

The over 35’s commenced the new year programme with a disappointing home defeat to league leaders Peamount.

Starting with a defensive formation and a lone striker, Spartak sought to play a containing game in the early stages. The plan almost came unstuck in the first few minutes when a neat through ball left their away striker one on one with Jimmy Browne who pulled off an excellent save. After that early scare Spartak came more into the game and created a couple of half chances that fell to Mark Byrne.

Spartak went 1-0 up midway through the first half when a pass over the top from Brian Stafford was chased by Ken Byrne who was taken down for a clear penalty. Paul Burke expertly converted.

As the end of the first half approached there was an ominous sign of things to come for Spartak when the opposition midfielder somehow managed to head over the bar from the goal line having managed to escape all defensive cover from a corner. Shortly after their striker beat the offside trap to again go one on one with Jimmy but on this occasion he finished the chance to level the scores. Right on half time Spartak went behind when the cross from a cleared corner seemed to evade everyone except the Peamount player standing a few yards from goal who neatly flicked the ball into the net.

The second half in truth was comfortable for Peamount. Their third goal game after 10 minutes when again the offside trap was sprung to leave a player completely free from defensive cover. Despite being a good 30 yards from goal he neatly chipped the ball into an empty net.   Spartak were restricted to only one chance in the half that fell to Ken Byrne who headed wide.

Overall it was disappointing to lose but the main difference between the teams was the level of fitness with the away side getting progressively stronger and more in control as the game wore on. Set pieces were also disappointing on the day with a number of close range free kicks and quite a few corners failing to trouble the keeper.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Leon David, Brian Stafford, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran

SDFC 7 Garden County 5

On a weekend when all 3 Spartak teams recorded victories to provide some early Christmas cheer, the over 35’s were the first to set the standard with a good win in a somewhat bizarre game.

The best that could be said about the early stages of the game was that the home team showed the signs of a long layoff and within 10 minutes defensive hesidency had resulted in a two goal deficit. 

As Spartak got a hold in the game a good run from Ken Byrne ended in a neat finish (by the opposing defender – although the dubious goals committee somewhat dubiously awarded the goal to Ken) to pull a goal back.  More defensive uncertainly led to a third goal from the visiting side giving them a 3-1 lead.

Two quick Spartak goals, the first a good effort from John Hallihan and the second a well worked goal from Ray Grady following good buid up play by Tony Kavanagh and Rory Campbell brought it back to level pegging. On the stroke of half time however Spartak gave another goal away to leave it 4-3 to the opposition at the break.

Some shrewd changes at half time from manager Barry Crowe seemed to have the desired effect in the second half with Spartak getting gradually on top and equalising from the very impressive Tony Kavanagh.  Shortly afterwards Ray Grady got his second to give Spartak the lead for the first time in the match and then Rory Campbell gave Spartak a 2 goal cushion with a good finish.

The drama was not yet over as Garden County scored yet another goal to make it 6-5 with 10 minutes to go. However the final and best goal of the game went to Tony Kavanagh with an excellent long range effort and this was enough to seal the three points.

Overall a welcome win after a series of draws. Everyone would agree though that conceeding five goals would normally mean defeat and was a bit on the generous side even in the season of goodwill.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Leon David, Brian Stafford, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe.

Lads, please bring raffle tickets and cash to training this week- Thanks!

10 Confirmed for golf so far – 12 noon  Sat at Stepaside

Training Tues is Everton fans and sympathisers (captained by Mick Greene) v Liverpool fans and sympathisers (captain Neill Bolger)

Thursday is Leeds fans and sympathisers (Frank) v Chelsea (Dave Browne)

Saturday team HOME to Balbriggan – Won 4-2

Sunday team HOME to Meath Rangers – Won 6-2

Over 35’s HOME to Garden County – Won 7-5

This is the last weekend of league fixtures before Christmas

SDFC 2 St Colmcille’s 2

Spartak over 35’s and St Colmcilles played out another drawn match with the same scoreline as the previous encounter 3 weeks ago. On this occasion the home side were unlucky not to come away with a win as on balance it was deserved.

Spartak started brightly again and aided by a strong breeze were well on top in the opening stages. St Colmcilles seemed to struggle with the SDFC formation and a few early chances were created. The first scorable chance came to Frank McNamee who was put through after a neat one-two with Rory Campbell but a tame shot was easily saved. Thereafter Ken Byrne had a very good long range effort tipped over and Rory Campbell just failed to connect with an excellent Aaron Doran cross.

The deadlock was broken when a stonewall penalty for handball was expertly converted by Paul Burke. Shortly afterwards Spartak went two up when a pintpoint cross from Tony Kavanagh was powerfully headed in by Shay Carr. St Colmcilles made the odd break in the first half but never really threatened the goal.

The second half saw St Colmcilles gradually get on top and apply a lot of pressure on the Spartak defence. With Dave Mohan sidelined through a first half injury, Fintan Grace, Paul Burke and Greg Callan were defending resolutely and despite having a lot of the ball the opposition were denied any clear cut chances. This changed when a harmless cross was not held by Jimmy Browne and in the ensuing scramble to retrieve the ball he was deemed by the referee to have fouled the striker. A harsh decision but a penalty was awarded and converted.

With the game at 2-1, a harmless ball over the top was let go by the Spartak defensive line as there were at least four St Colmcilles players clearly offside. To the disbelief of everyone including the opposition the referee did not blow his whistle and the striker naturally took advantage to score an easy goal.

To Spartak’s credit, despite this set back the team rallied and a half chance was created by Barry Crowe for Tony Kavanagh. Derek Doran and Aaron Doran were combining well on the left and causing some problems. In injury time St Colmcilles proved the value of having a player on the post for corners when a Frank McNamee header was cleared off the line to deny Spartak the 3 points.

Overall it was another good performance from Spartak. Defensively solid, working hard in midfield and creating chances up front. Similar efforts will no doubt produce deserving results in forthcoming matches.

Footnote: It must be mentioned that the performance of the referee had both teams infuriated. He did not get off to a good start by being 10 minutes late (for the second match in a row). During the game there was such indecision that any decisions that were reached seemed to be based on which team shouted the loudest (which was invariably St Colmcilles). On several occasions obvious yellow card offences were ignored and it was fortunate that the game did not spiral out of control or that a player did not get seriously injured.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Ken Byrne, Derek Doran, Barry Crowe, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Mark Byrne, Shay Carr, Leon David, Aaron Doran, Jason Doyle, Fintan Grace

On Saturday 21st November the Saturday team are going for pints in the Barge Pub. Its an open invitation to ALL Saturday players (including over 35’s) In the words of Shane McInerney it’s a “team bondin session, so everyone must attend.” Sunday players cannot attend for obvious reasons…..they will have a match the following morning!!

Schalke Rovers 1 SDFC 1

Spartak 35’s drew for the second time in consecutive matches on Saturday with a very good performance against Schalke Rovers in St Anne’s park.

Starting with an experimental formation Spartak put the home side under immediate pressure and created 3 good chances in the first 5 minutes. Ray Grady had two very good efforts just wide before delivering a great cross from which Rory Campbell was unlucky not to score. Rory then turned provider with a perfect cross for a Ken Byrne header that the keeper saved.

The game continued in the same vain until just before half-time when against the run of play Schalke managed to take the lead with a hopeful shot that looped over Jimmy Browne.

The second half was more of the same with all the clear cut chances falling to Spartak. Ken Byrne burst through the defence and shot over. Their keeper made an excellent save from a Rory Campbell header and then Shay beat the offside trap to go clear on goal only for a last ditch tackle to keep the score intact.

With 20 minutes to go Spartak finally managed to draw level through Frank McNamee having being put through by Rory Campbell. After that Spartak continued to apply pressure on the Schalke goal but could not get the winner. A good effort from Paul Burke came close. The final chance for Spartak came when an excellent shot from Brian Stafford forced their keeper into another fine save, the ball broke to Jason Doyle whose return shot went narrowly wide.

It almost went horribly wrong for Spartak in injury time when two Schalke players beat the offside trap and found themselves two on one with Jimmy Browne. An excellent finger tip save from Jimmy directed the resulting shot onto the post which then to the relief of the away side rebounded into his arms to ensure that the game finished in stalemate.

On a day when so many chances were created there was some disappointment with a draw but the performance and effort was well up on the previous match. Overall it was a well deserved and well earned away point.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, John Hallihan, Greg Callan, Ken Byrne, Brian Stafford, Barry Crowe, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell, Paul Burke, Shay, Gavin McLaughlan, Ray Grady, Jason Doyle.