Spartak Dynamo FC

1.11.15
Swords Celtic 2, Spartak 1

A lethargic first half proved costly as lowly Swords put in an aggressive performance unmatched by the Sky Blues in the first period. The first half was all Swords, who showed greater urgency and aggression, picking up a few yellow cards in the process. Greg Byrne in the Spartak goal was by far the busier keeper, and took knocks as the subject of some rough inteventions, with Kevin O’Toole and Karl McCullough overworked at the back, as the Spartak midfield misfired.

Spartak’s only real effort came following a foul on Neil McGowan when a quick thinking Thom O’Driscoll spotted the keeper off his line; but Thom’s execution did not quite match the intention, just missing the target.

On 47 minutes, inevitably, Swords took the lead; a long ball was misheaded by Martin Costello back into a central area and , while Greg Byrne saved the initial effort, the rebound was tucked home.

Spartak lifted their game in the second half, while Swords conceded many free kicks in an attempt to stem the tide. Just on the hour marked Dave Kernan bundled in Ger Byrne’s cross at the second attempt. Then moments later Neil McGowan found Steve Walsh in space on the right, his cross found Thom O’Driscoll, whose header forced a good save from the home keeper.

The game looked to be going in Spartak’s favour, with a second goal in prospect, when a calamitous error of judgment by the hitherto commendable Kevin O’Toole handed the points to the home side. A rash tackle inside the box saw the penalty dispatched for the winning goal.

Martin Costello, Dave Kerna and Steve Grier all had half chances to equalise, but Swords held on.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 David Kernan 6 Martin Costello 6 Karl McCullough 6 Kevin O’Toole 5 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 5 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 4
Sub: Dave Browne 5

25.10.15
Spartak 4, Dundrum 1

Spartak took the honours in a game that was closer than the scoreline would suggest.

Two identikit goals just before the break saw Karl McCullough head home successive Steve Walsh corner kicks gave the Sky Blues a 2-0 half time advantage.

Earlier chances had been missed, most notably after brilliant work by Steve Grier and Dave Kernan had sent Steve Walsh in on goal, but two attempts were not sufficient to score. Dundrum struck the crossbar, and Kev O’Toole made a strong savin tackle when a score looked certain.

Spartak virtually clinched the points when a first time Neil McGowan pass sent the ovelapping Martin Costello clear on the left. He jinked past the advancing keeper but was forced very wide. Nonetheless he produced the perfect cross amid a cluster of covering defenders for Ger Byrne to shoot into the unguarded net.

This appeared to be the signal for Spartak to relax and for Dundrum to come strongly into the game.

A quickly taken free saw Dundrum reduce arrears and Dundrum had several atempts to close the gap, but Spartak were grateful to Greg Byrne for some fine stops, including tipping one shot onto the post.

Spartak made the game safe when a super through ball b Tho O’Driscoll sent Steve Walsh in, and he finished at the second attempt.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Dave Kernan 7 Martin Costello 6 Karl McCullough 8 Kevin O’Toole 8 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 6
Sub: Neil Walsh 5

24.10.15
Spartak 1, Sallynoggin 3

Who would be a keeper?

Having kept his team in the game with some fine saves for most of the first half, Bobby allowed a soft shot to elude him for the decisive third goal early in the second period.

Sallynoggin had most of the first half play, but Spartak were not without their chances; Ciaran Keanes’ run and cross gave Jeff Gamble a chance, but his reluctance to shoot with his left saw the chance evaporate.

Niall Lennon and Jeff Gamble combined but Darren Ritchie could not reach the latter’s cross.

Salynoggin took the lead when a cross from Spartak’s left was nodded in, and an unfortunate og by Fintan Grace just on half time doubled that advantage.

The Sky Blues strove to get back in the contest as the visitors were happy to defend their lead, and Fidel Benson reduced arrears on 54 minutes after good work by chris Hogan and Jeff Gamble. Conor Canavan fired straight into the keeper’e midriff from a couple of yards out, while Jeff Gamble had a couple of efforts, including a header just over.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Steve Browne 5 Fintan Grace 5 Darren Ritchie 5 Conor Canavan 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Niall Lennon 5 Fidel Benson 6 Ciaran Keane 5
Subs: Evans Sarpong 5 Ciaran Bermingham 5 Stephen Bermingham 5

18.10.15
Spartak 1, Sallynoggin 2

Dropping all three points here was a painful experience for the Sky Blues, who surely should have at least equalised in the last minute when Steve Walsh sent Alan Farrington clear on the right. Inexplicably, Alan failed to make proper contact with the ball, and his effort trickled harmlessly wide from six yards.

Ealier, Neil McGowan, taking some time out from best man duties, came on as a sub to crisply fire in an equaliser after Steve Grier’s cross broke to him at the edge of the box.

Greg Byrne continued his fine run of form in goal, with one great save and several good ones.

A bad challenge on Steve Grier early on was not properly punished by that recidivist referee who ruins games for all teams.

Sallynoggin scored on the turnover in the first half when Alan Farrington, receiving the ball in space, turned inside into trouble and wwas dispossessed. Kevin O’Toole was caught under the ball as he pushed out, 0-1.

The Sallynoggin winner came on 82 minutes as Spartak pushed on; Steve Grier kept the ball in play as Sallynoggin broke, only for possession to switch. A clever through ball saw the striker beat Greg Byrne.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 8 Kevin O’Toole 6 Alan Farrington 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Dave Kernan 6 Neil McGowan 7 Neil Walsh 6

17.10.15
Spartak 3, Howth Celtic 6

A game that began so well for the Sky Blues ended up in a meek exit from the Leinser Junior Shield.

Early goals by Jeff Gamble and Mick Leslie saw Spartak in a strong position, but by half time Howth had registered four unanswered scores, none of which they had to work hard for, with some incompetent defending by the home side, coupled wih an inability of the Spartak midfield to retain or regain possession.

The second half saw Spartak attempt to get back in the contest with some decent goal efforts, mainly by the idefatigable Jeff Gamble and while Darren Ritchoe reduced arrears, Howth were always in control.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Leslie 5 Steve Browne 5 Fintan Grace 5 Fidel Benson 6 Conor Canavan 6 Conor Callis 4 Ciaran Keane 4 Darren Ritchie 5 Jeff Gamble 8
Subs: Mick Greene 5 Tom Maher 5