Spartak Dynamo FC

20.9.15

Spa Utd 5, Spartak 1

The Sky Blues long trek to Johnstown , Co Kilkenny, was an unrewarding journey.

A disastrous start against able opponents saw Spartak ship three goals in 17 minutes, with Spa making it 4 before Steve Grier reduced arrears near the break.

The second half saw a more even contest, with the nly score coming from a disputed penalty near the end for the home side, after Spartak had carved out several decent scoring chance.

Form Report: A collective 5

13.9.15
Tymon Bawn 4, Spartak 4.

Spartak faced into this game without key players from the last win over Dundrum; Paul Kinsella suspended, Karl McCullough hamstrung, and Martin Costello, who was away at a hen party. Stuart Love, whose operation to repair a torn cruciate ligament is due, continues to be missed for his consistent

Not only that, goalkeeper Jason Northey tweaked his hamstring on his first run, after just 17 minutes, so Kevin O’Toole volunteered to go in goal. With so many forced changes to the Sky Blues defence, it was unsurprising that Tymon were able to score four. Spartak led four times, but could not close out the deal.

Several players had a sleepy start to proceedings, Steve Walsh, Keith Kelly, David Kernan and Steve Grier taking some time to realise they were in a game. A dull first half was enlivened when a half cleared corner was expertly turned back in by Tom O’Driscoll for Steve Grier to head in.

One nil at the interval, but then followed a goals avalanche.

Tymon equalised, and continued to do so after each Sky Blues score. Goals from Alan Farrington, Steve Walsh and Steve Browne were duly cancelled out

In the final 15 minutes, Spartak created opportunities to snatch a winner; Neil McGowan’s header from a deflected cross was just over, and Ger Byrne, just 6 yards out,stretched into an inviting cross but shot over.

Marks?
Preparataion?

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Steve Grier 6 Kevin O’Toole 6 Alan Farrington 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Steve Browne 6 Jeff Gamble 6

12.9.15
Earl Celtic 2, Spartak 6

Spartak were somewhat flattered by the final scoreline, as Earl had enough of the play to justify a closer margin. Indeed, when Earl reduced arrears to 3-1 just after the interval, and seemed likely to close the gap further, it was then that the Sky Blues displayed resilience and skill to add further scores against a stretched local rearguard and close the game out

The Sky Blues had a dream start when Shane McInerney fired home from a half cleared corner after just three minutes, and on six minutes Niall Hanratty headed in a Jeff Gamble cross to double the advantage.

Earl countered, and Spartak were grateful to the ample posterior of Steve Browne, who blocked a goalbound shot. Jeff Gamble further shocked the home side when, at the second attempt, he scored a third goal before the break.

Earl strained every sinew to get back in the game in the second period,and Spartak had to manfully face an onslaught, with some great blocks and interventions, one in particular from Shane McInerney being a standout. Indeed it was Shane who did well to start the move that saw Ciaran Keane cross for Jeff Gamble to head in number 4.

Earl did manage to reduce arrears to 4-2, but a first ever goal from Chris Hogan and a final score from Fidel Benson finished the scoring.

A triumph for spirit, togetherness and hard work.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Canavan 7 Chris Hogan 7 Steve Browne 8 Martin Costello 7 Shane McInerney 8 Niall Hanratty 8 Jeff Gamble 8 Evans Sarpong 7 Fidel Benson 7 Mick Costello 7
Sub: Ciaran Keane 7

1.9.15
Dundrum 0, Spartak 1

In a tight game of few chances on a murky midweek evening, the better opportunities fell to the Sky Blues, who could have increased the margin of victory. In the Spartak goal, Jason Northey was well protected and had a routine evening, with safe handling and a couple of saves, particularly in the hectic closing stages as the home team pressed for an equaliser against a reduced Spartak complement.

Spartak went into this match without the ever industrious midfield services of Stuart Love, who had the misfortune to incur a cruciate ligament knee injury in the final friendly. A full recovery by Stu will be a big boost to the club.

The breakthrough goal came on 27 minutes when Steve Grier received a throw in from Dave Browne on the right, swivelled and then drove the ball into the corner left footed from 18 yards.

Spartak broke continually; Martin Costello overlapped and put in a great cross which just eluded the Spartak attackers. Keith Kelly made a fine run, was fouled, and from Steve Walsh’s free kick , Steve Grier’s stooping header was fractionally wide. Kelly and Grier had long range efforts off target, while Steve Walsh tried to lob the keeper, but his effort was comfortably saved.

At the other end some defensive slips caused some concern, but Dundrum’s shooting was always within Northey’s grasp.

Early in the second half a great move by Grier, Walsh and Ger Byrne saw Dave Kernan with a close range angled opportunity; his shot was marginally too high and struck the bar. Again Grier and Byrne combined to give Alan Farrington a chance to turn and shoot from close in, but he opted for an attempted lay off and the opportunity evaporated.

Paul Kinsella broke from defence and forced a corner from which Martin Costello shot wide.

Spartak had played two days previously on the Sunday while their opponents had not, therefore it seemed like a good idea (at the time) to utilise the substitutes. Having done so, with 15 minutes remaining, Karl McCullough had to go off with a hamstring injury having been jostled at full pace, while Keith Kelly also went off for a while, reducing the Sky Blues temporarily to 9 men.

It was then that Spartak showed their mettle, defending for their lives; indeed a break out following a corner saw Paul Kinsella lead an overload of Sky Blue attackers; however his pass to Jeff Gamble was not ideal and the home keeper, 40 yards from goal and with no defenders available, was able to block. A more precise pass and a second goal would have been a certainty.

Paul then foolishly reacted verbally to earlier physical intimidation and was dismissed with 5 seconds of the game remaining, the ball out of play and with a goal kick awarded to Spartak.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Martin Costello 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 6 Alan Farrington 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 8 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6

30.8.15
Benbulbin United 2, Spartak 5

Spartak began this game in jittery fashion; passes went astray, touches were poor, tackles were missed, 50/50 balls were poorly contested. In contrast the home side swept the ball around almost as they pleased, without creating too many clear chances.

A free conceded by Paul Kinsella saw Benbulbin hit the top of the crossbar. Then a big chance fell to a locals but the shot was easily stopped by Jason Northey.

On 15 minutes, against the run of play, the Sky Blues fashioned a lightning break. Dave Kernan and Steve Walsh exchanged passes before Kernan’s cross was bravely met first time by Ger Byrne to open the scoring at the near post. The lead did not last long, and possession was conceded and followed by poor defending to allow the equaliser.

As half time approached, Spartak began to settle, and scored twice. Steve Grier’s header sent Ger Byrne clear and he took advantage of the keeper’s error to slot in. Steve Walsh then embarked on a coruscating run, beating several players before squaring to Dave Kernan, who was unceremoniously upended. Steve Walsh slotted home the spot kick.

Again a lapse of defensive concentration allowed the home side to score in the 6th minute of first half injury time, after a free kick had been harshly awarded against Steve Grier.

Steve Walsh might have added another early in the second period but his touch was heavy when through on goal. Jason Northey’s poor throw gave the home side a chance but the shot was weak and easily saved.

The home side had a burst of pressure and Spartak had to scramble a few clearances, including one off the line, before an Alan Farrington shot from Steve Walsh’s pass made it 4-2. Dave Kernan came close to adding another after Alan Farrington’s effort was blocked.

Benbulbin continued to press, pushing men forward, and Jason Northey fumbled a free kick around the post for a corner.

Spartak added number 5 on 81 minutes in a fine move involving Martin Costello, Jeff Gamble and Steve Walsh which presented Steve Grier with a straightforward chance.

Not the finest performance overall, but good spirit shown together with some sharp finishing made it a satisfying opening to the season.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Martin Costello 8 Paul Kinsella 8 Karl McCullagh 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Alan Farrington 6 David Kernan 7 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 8 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Ken Buckley 6

29.8.15
Mid Sutton 2, Spartak 8

Spartak overcame an inexperienced Mid Sutton side with some ease in the end, having waited till the 33rd minute to open the scoring.

The Sky Blues began shakily enough, and an error and foul by Conor Canavan saw the locals awarded a free, which, luckily, came to nothing.

With Niall Hanratty dominating the middle of the park, Spartak created many openings in the first half hour, but invariably chose the wrong option. When a team has a period of domination without punishing the opposition, there is always the concern that missing those chances will return to haunt them, and the locals had a good opportunity during this period, but fired over.

So it was that when Conor Callis’ deflected shot beat the keeper for the opener, it was greeted with relief in the Sky Blue ranks.

Chris Hogan blasted a chance high and wide after a good move before Jeff Gamble fired in via the crossbar for number two, and just on half time Conor Callis slalomed past a number of defenders before driving in a third goal.

Any thoughts of a second half home revival were quashed just 2 minutes after the restart, when Callis claimed his hattrick from Gamble’s pass. Then a great Mick Costello cross was scrambled clear only as far as Hogan who crossed for Ciaran Bermingham to neatly head home and open his account for Spartak.

A lapse of concentration by Mick Leslie saw the home side reduce arrears, and late on Niall Hanratty took some of the gloss off a battling performance with a drilled own goal.

But Spartak added three more; Fintan Grace marked his return from a year long injury absence by converting a penalty after Jeff Gable was fouled; Conor Callis added his fourth; and sub Stephen Bermingham neatly chipped in number 8.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 7 Steve Browne 8 Fintan Grace 8 Mick Greene 6 Niall Hanratty 8 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Bermingham 7 Conor Callis 9
Subs: Mick Costello 7 Stephen Bermingham 6 Bobby Hayes 6

16.8.15
Newlands Celtic 1, Spartak 2

A bumpy surface in Corkagh Park did little to make it easy to play good football, but a decent display by Spartak’s back four – apart from one lapse – laid the foundation for what was a more comfortable win than the scoreline suggests.

Alan Farrington, who had earlier missed a straightforward chance, converted a penalty after Dave Kernan’s surging run was stopped by a foul. Steve Browne scrambled a second before missing an easier chance to put the game to bed.

Some poor defending at a set piece saw the locals reduce arrears, but Spartak played the game out comfortably.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 8 Dave Browne 7 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Stuart Love 6 Alan Farrington 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Ken Buckley 6 Conor Canavan 5 Steve Walsh 6 Steve Browne 6 Kevin Loftus 5

15.8.15
Arthur Griffith Park 3, Spartak 4.

On a poor surface in Lucan Spartak trailed 1-3 with just 18 minutes left in this pre season friendly. In truth the home side had looked more likely to add to their lead, but a late and spirited response saw Spartak win out.

A Bermingham/Callis/Gamble move sent Mick Leslie through to reduce arrears, and a fine Steve Browne through pass released Jeff Gamble who equalised. Mick Leslie then missed a good chance before scoring the winner, and completing his hat trick, when the ball broke to him in the box following Ciaran O’Brien’s interception.

Ciaran Bermingham had sent Mick Leslie through in the first half to give Spartak the lead, before AGP raced ahead, thanks in no small measure to poor defending.

A useful work out, but the result should not be allowed to paper over some below par performances.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 6 Steve Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Mick Costello 5 Edo Maino 5 Conor Callis 6 Mick Leslie 8 Ciaran Bermingham 7 Ciaran O’Brien 6 Ciaran Keane 4 Jeff Gamble 7

13.8.15
Celtic Park 1, Spartak 3

A desultory performance on a warm summer’s evening in Beaumont, which saw Spartak do just enough to win, building up a decent 3-0 adavantage before fading badly in the final 20 minutes as the heat and lack of fitness told.

An adroit finish by Ciaran Bermingham topped off a neat Love/Leslie/Kernan move to give Spartak a half time lead. Steve Grier’s snapshot made it two, and a McGowan/Kernan move saw the latter’s fine cross converted at close range by Martin Costello.

A small step towards match fitness.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Kevin Loftus 5 Dave Kernan 7 Ciaran Bermingham 6 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Grier 6 Ciaran Keane 5

VEC – Willie Kissane Memorial tournament
8.8.15
Spartak 0, CYM 1
Spartak 0, VEC 2
Spartak 0, Leicester Celtic 0
Spartak 0, Sandford Ath 0

Missed chances were the order of the day as Spartak failed to score in all 3 30 minute games. Alan Farrington will rue firing wide of an empty goal against finalists Leicester Celtic in the pivotal game , while Conor Canavan blazed over from four yards against Sandford.

A tough workout , which should improve fitness and match sharpness.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Dave Kernan 6 Mick Leslie 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Martin Costello 7 Stuart Love 8 Glen Burke 5 Alan Farrington 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Browne 5 Ciaran O’Brien 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Canavan 5 Ken Buckley 5