Spartak Dynamo FC

8.5.15
Portmarnock 3, Spartak 1

A mysterious penalty award gave Portmarnock a half time lead, settling their nerves against an under strength Spartak outfit who put in a good performance, spoiled only by inability to take their chances on a pristine surface at Paddy’s Hill.

Mick Leslie was the main culprit in this regard, with three below par efforts, in particular spurning a big chance after a mazy Jeff Gamble run had squared the ball invitingly. In another attack, Mikey Ryan had put Ciaran Keane through and clear, but Ciaran, instead of heading for goal, made a beeline towards the corner flag before firing wildly over and wide.

Conor Keegan made a welcome return to the defence, and , apart from an unnecessary booking, had a fine game, including a goal line clearance, while Stephen Harris recovered his form and made a few vital saves with the back four in general showing stern resistance to the home attacks.

Spartak resisted well until the turning point came. From a corner, Stephen Harris was fouled in trying to catch; meanwhile the ref had spotted a push in the area and awarded a spot kick, much to the surprise of the home side, who had retreated expecting a free out. So one nil at half time.

A minute into the second period Joe McCarthy fouled just on the edge of the box, and the deflected free kick was scrambled to the net. Towards the end Portmarnock sealed victory with a third goal. A late Jeff Gamble penalty gave Spartak their only score, leaving the Sky Blues to rue those missed opportunities.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Derek Gibney 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Joe McCarthy 7 Conor Keeegan 8 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Quinn 6 Mikey Ryan 6 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Dan O’Connell 6 Tom Maher 6 Jason Doyle 6

7.5.15
Woods Utd 0, Spartak 0

Spartak were left to rue their missed opportunities early in the game as Woods set up a very effective defensive screen. Woods were effective in occasional breakouts and Graham Campbell cleared off the Spartak line just before the break.

A Dave Browne pass sent Steve Walsh away after 10 minutes, and when his shot was blocked by the keeper he managed to retrieve the ball and cross , but Graham Campell’s header was not strong enough to foil the keeper, who pushed it away.

Steve Walsh then sent Graham Campbell through and his lofted effort beat the keeper but crashed against the bar. These were the best chances created in the first half, and gradually the Sky Blues became more and more frantic in an effort to break down the resilient Woods rearguard, who played deep and defended in numbers.

Steve Grier did head against the post in the second period, Stuart Love headed wide, while Neil McGowan had an effort cleared off the line, but often the approach play was not crisp enough or the final ball not quite good enough.

A frustrating evening.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Graham Campbell 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Paul Kinsella 6 Joe McCarthy 6 Mick Leslie 6

30.4.15
Spartak 4, Queens Park 0

An early Tom O’Driscoll goal, after a fine passing move, together with a brace form Stuart Love and a late goal by sub Graham Campbell saw off a tidy Queens Park outfit on a perfect spring evening in Marlay Park.

Just two minutes had elapsed when Neil McGowan sent Martin Costello away down the right, and his teasing cross was tucked home by the lunging boot of Tom O’Driscoll. Martin himself could have made it two shortly afterwards, but eventually ran the ball out for a goal kick.

Keith Kelly and Dave Browne were living dangerously at the other end, but in each case the ball was cleared. There were other chances at both ends, but just the one goal separated the teams at the break.

Five minutes after half time a neat piece of skill by Steve Walsh set up Stu Love to make it 2-0, and then Stu made it 3-0 with a header.

Both subs had an impact. Tom O’Driscolls slide rule pass sent Graham Cambell in to make it 4-0, and then Seamus McCahill spurned two gilt edged opportunities to add to the scoreline.

Form Report

Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Martn Costello 5 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: S.McCahill 5 Graham Campbell 7

2.5.15
Spartak 1, Glasnevin 8

On a day of torrential rain in Marlay, Spartak might wish they had remained indoors.

An early goal by Jeff Gamble, ad a great chance for Steve Browne gave case for optimism, but that was soon dashed as Glasnevin scored four first half goals in reply.

The carnage continued in the second half, with only token resistance from the Sky Blues.

Probably the less said the better, but not a day anyone involved with Spartak can look back on with any degree of affection.

From Report
Stephen Harris 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 4 Joe McCarthy 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Conor Canavan 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Steve Browne 5 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Evans Sarpong 5 Tom Maher 5

26.4.15
Spartak 11, Parkvale 0

A hapless Parkvale side, missing some key players, were put to the sword in Marlay on a perfect spring morning.

Leading 5-0 at the break, the game as a contest ended early.

Time after time, slick movement carved open their defence, and it was only when Dave Browne and Aodhan McCahill were pushed forward that the goal romp eased. Aodhan was around the keeper and stumbled, while Dave Browne seemed fearful of venturing too far in the direction of the opposition area.

There was a Paulo Di Canio type sporting moment by Steve Walsh, who, having rounded the keeper, and noticing that the keeper had pulled a muscle, deliberately walked the ball wide. Steve did help himself to 5 goals , with the others from Tom O’Driscoll (2) Steve Grier (2) and Martin Costello.

Referee Tony Clarke duly ended the contest slightly early in a merciful gesture.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 9
Subs: Ken Buckley 6 Dave Kernan , Paul Kinsella

25.4.15
Loughshinny 4, Spartak 1

This game had an early turning point when, just after Jeff Gamble had spurned an opener, a goalkeeper error gave the home side the lead. An additional blow to the Sky Blues was the early departure through injury of Conor Keegan.

Jeff Gamble did equalise for Spartak, but the home side put together a good move to take an interval lead. Spartak, through Conor Callis and Ciaran Keane, spurned some firast half opportunities.

Defensive frailties let Spartak down badly in the second period; not just the back four, but defensive tasks generally. and while plenty of Sky Blue attacks were mounted, the final ball or the ultimate shot were off the mark.

Not a great showing.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 4 Derek Gibney 6 Mick Greene 5 Conor Keegan 6 Joe McCarthy 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Niall Lennon 7 Conor Callis 6 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Browne 5 Tom Maher 5

23.4.15
Spartak 2, Marks 3

It is often true in football that if early, gilt-edged chances are not taken, there is a price to be paid later. This was the case on a warm midweek evening in Marlay.

Without playing at optimum level in the first half, Spartak had 5 great opportunities, ranging from one on one efforts to close in chances, none of which were successful, and instead the Sky Blues ended up trailing at the interval to a soft, near post goal. There were other half chances also, and yet the visiting keeper had a relatively quiet time of it, with most efforts either off target or directed straight at him.

When Seamus McCahill equalised before the hour mark, Spartak looked set to go on to win. Marks defended resiliently, and refused to capitulate under pressure.

Spartak had many attacks, but lacked the nous to create chances as clear cut as those in the first half. At the back, Jason Northey had a jittery game, and there were a couple of scary moments in rare visitors’ forays.

Substitutes Jeff Gamble and Graham Campbell added energy, but little in the way of controlled play.

A calamitous lack of defensive organisation at a set piece proved to be Spartak’s undoing, and, very much against the run of play, Marks took the lead with a headed goal in the 86th minute.

When a long range effort sailed in to make it 3-1 moments later, the game was up, and Steve Grier’s late, injury time goal was little consolation.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Steve Grier 5 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Walsh 5.
Subs: Jeff Gamble 5 Graham Campbell 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5

19.4.15

Dundrum 1, Spartak 0

A goal in the 84th minute settled this encounter at Meadowbrook in this clash of 2nd and 3rd in the league.

The goal came when, having lost possession, Spartak were caught out defensively by a long pass and a quick break.

Spartak will argue that a draw would have been a fair result, but the Sky Blues failed to put a score on the board, despite early dominance, and more chances.

Spartak forced a series of early corners, generally wasted by poor delivery. The first passing move involved Dave Kernan, Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly, but the latter’s shot was weak.

When Karl MCCullough flicked on a throw in, Tom O’Driscoll was inches from converting, and then a good Kernan and Kelly move saw Steve Grier’s fierce effort well saved by the home keeper.

Spartak’s best chance fell to Tom O’Driscoll, in the second period, but his right footed effort from Steve Walsh’s assist was too gentle. Neil MCGowan fired wide after a Steve Grier header, while Grier and McGowan combined to set up Walsh, whose effort was blocked.

Steve Walsh missed a couple of chances to round the keeper, but hesitation lost him the opportunities.

As Spartak pressed for a late equaliser, everyone was pushed up for a Paul Kinsella free. However the free fell short and Dundrum brokel, eventually being halted by a foul by Karl McCullough. The referee, many yards away, awarded a penalty although the foul took place yards outside the area.

Jason Northey saved the spot kick, maintaining his recent good record.

Spartak will be disappointed to be held scoreless in such a vital game.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Joe McCarthy 5 Ciaran Keane 5

18.4.15
Peamount 5, Spartak 3

Let’s get the better news out of the way first; Conor Callis won two penalties which were converted by Jeff Gamble, who also tapped in, at the second attempt, Ciaran Keane’s cross in the dying moments.

That’s about all the positive things that can be said about this performance at Greenogue’s astro pitch on a perfect Saturday evening for football.

Showing just three changes from Monday’s wonderful display, including the return from suspension of captain Niall Lennon, Spartak sunk to the depths with an abysmal outing, when expectations had clearly soared after the win over Portmarnock.

In the first half, Spartak had at least 20 attacks, but a combination of slow passing, wrong options taken and just plain poor finishing meant that there was only one goal, from the spot, to show for it, while Peamount, who only raided sporadically, had taken the lead.

After Peamount restored their lead early in the second half, there was only going to be one winner as the pattern continued. Spartak built up laboriously, with poor and slow passing, failed to harry or press their opponents, and all the while gave the impression that any defensive duties were beneath them.

Peamount duly punished Spartak’s laxity, with four second half goals, well taken by them, but all of a depressing similarity to those of a Sky Blue persuasion.

Spartak had plenty of attacks, but little in the way of penetration, preferring long range efforts, or checking back instead of going forward.

A miserable journey home from Greenogue for the Sky Blues

Form Report
Shane McInerney 6 Barry Maguire 4 Chris Hogan 4 Conor Keegan 6 Joe McCarthy 5 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Canavan 4 Jeff Gamble 5 Niall Lennon 4 Steve Browne 5 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Mick Greene 4

14.4.15
Carriglea 0, Spartak 2

Spartak came out on top in this clash of promotion rivals in a hard fought encounter.

Well refereed, this was a tough battle from start to finish, with two inspirational moments deciding the result.

The first goal resulted from a corner by Tom O’Driscoll which went too deep beyond the goal along the back line; Seamus McCahill retrieved the ball and cleverly stood it up at the back post for Neil McGowan to head in.

The second goal came from a fine piece of free kick initiative by Tom O’Driscoll and Keith Kelly, which saw the latter finish to the bottom corner.

In between it was a war of attrition on a bumpy surface with the team who won most headers, Spartak, generally on top.

Carriglea had a great chance early on, after a mix up between Paul Kinsella and Dave Browne, while Martin Costello scuffed his effort when sent clear by Steve Grier.

With Spartak one goal to the good at the interval, Martin Costello had a chance to double the lead when sent down the left by Neil McGowan; but he blazed across goal and well wide.

Spartak defended really well in the face of Carriglea’s increasingly frantic efforts to get back in the game.

Near the end Graham Campbell had two efforts strike the crossbar.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Kernan 7 Dave Browne 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 8 Seamus McCahill 8 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 7 Keith Kelly 7
Subs: Graham Campbell 7 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Leslie 6