Spartak Dynamo FC

13.4.15
Spartak 3, Portmarnock 0

Some days everything turns out well. The whole team performs, and the opposition, 2nd in the league, were sent home well beaten and scoreless on a spring night in near perfect conditions in Marlay.

Mick Leslie led the initial charge with some hard running before winning a penalty when taken down by the keeper. Jeff Gamble scuffed his spot kick, which the keeper parried, but Jeff was alert to score from the rebound.

Portmarnock had a big chance just after, but the imposing presence of an advancing Mick Costello was enough to force the attacker to shoot wide.

On 25 minutes Spartak doubled their lead, when Jeff Gamble sent Conor Callis away, cheekily nutmegging the covering defender before closing his eyes and blasting in! 2-0. Mick Leslie then spurned a right footed opportunity after some good approach play.

Ciaran Keane then fired wide at the start of the second period after being sent clear by Mick Leslie.

It was not all one way traffic and Mick Costello, in a commanding performance, made a couple of fine saves as well as dominating his area, while Joe McCarthy and Conor Keegan were solid in central defence.

Increasingly Spartak relied on breaks, and Conor Callis was wide after one such break, before the third goal arrived on 83 minutes; Ciaran Keane’s cross was fumbled by the keeper and Jeff Gamble nodded in to round off a fine team performance.

A happy set of Sky Blues departed Marlay.

Form Report
Mick Costello 9 Barry Maguire 6 Aodhan McCahill 8 Joe McCarthy 8 Conor Keegan 8 Ciaran Keane 7 Conor Canavan 7 Jeff Gamble 9 Conor Callis 7 Shane McInerney 7 Mick Leslie 8
Subs: Graham Campbell 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Tony Kavanagh 6

12.4.15
Seaford 0, Spartak 6.

Spartak had the best of a one sided encounter in the pouring Blackrock rain against a weakened Seaford side, scoring some good goals in the process.

Just three minutes had elapsed when Steve Walsh floated in a free from 30 yards out; the ball was cleared back to him and he let fly first time to give Spartak the lead. A fine through ball by Tom O’Driscoll saw Steve Walsh show control and composure to make it 2-0.

A fine move then saw Tom O’Driscoll fire over from a great position and a Jason Northey kicking error caused some panic at the other end. Steve Grier sent Neil McGowan in and his shot was turned away for a corner.

The game was effectively over within a minute, when first Martin Costello ran through to lift over the keeper, and then, when the keeper’s poor clearance reached Neil McGowan he fired back over the goalie’s head for number 4.

The second half saw Steve Grier dispossess the centre half and score, but he was deemed to have fouled; the ref was probably influenced by the defender’s scream of agony – although he got up, unhurt, once the free was awarded.

Martin Costello teed up Neil McGowan for a long range goal to make it 5-0 on 65 minutes, while Jason Northey made a good save to keep out the home side.

Steve Walsh was now on the hunt for his hattrick goal and, after a few misses, he duly added his third. There was time for sub Mick Leslie to fire wide before the ref halted the proceedings with 8 minutes left on the clock.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 6 Mick Leslie 6

11.4.15
Spartak 3, Balbriggan 2

Spartak made hard work of a game which seemed comfortably in their grasp, and ended up battling to save the three points.

The turning point came just past the hour mark when Stephen Harris was red carded for a challenge in the area, and a penalty awarded. Mick Costello, just on as sub, went in goal, and he could not be faulted for the goals conceded. Mick showed composure in a difficult situation and had a steadying influence on the ten men with cool handling and good kicking.

The opening phase of the game was dull with neither side taking the initiative, with some tentative moves from Spartak. Conor Callis had an effort blocked from a corner, and Ciaran Keane looped a shot which was easily saved. Ciaran Keane missed two opportunities to play team mates in with poor attempts at a through ball.

The opening goal came when a pass from Joe McCarthy eluded both its intended recipient and the covering defender; Jeff Gamble was quickest to the loose ball and fired low to the corner from a tight angle for a well taken goal.

Conor Callis then produced a bit of wing magic close to the byline, with his cross reaching Jeff Gamble, but his effort was deflected for a corner.

A miskick by Stephen Harris left the home goal unguarded, but a recovery tackle by Conor Canavan gave the defence time to complete the tidy up.

Right on the stroke of half time Spartak were awarded a free on the left, just inside the Balbriggan half. Undeterred by the 50 yard distance to goal, Derek Gibney’s run up showed deadly intent, and sure enough the ball flew past a startled keeper at pace to the top of the net, to give Spartak a slightly flattering two goal advantage.

The game was quite even early on in the second half; Stephen Harris made a decent save , while at the other end Ciaran Keane passed up an acceptable chance. One fine move involving Keane, Mick Leslie, Niall Lennon and Conor Canavan saw Jeff Gamble’s effort saved. Later a quick break initiated by Harris’ throw saw Shane McInerney and Ciaran Keane set up Jeff Gamble, but his effort was weak.

Following the penalty, Spartak, down to ten men, rallied and scored the decisive third on 75 minutes. Joe Mc Carthy’s pass released Ciaran Keane, revitalised after a stodgy first half performance, and he went on to score in typically persistent fashion.

Balbriggan pulled one back after 89 minutes, but it was too little, too late.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 5 Barry Maguire 6 Mick Leslie 7 Joe McCarthy 7 Derek Gibney 7 Ciaran Keane 7 Conor Canavan 8 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Shane McInerney 7 Conor Callis 6
Subs: Conor Keegan 6 Mick Costello 8

29.3.15
Valeview Shankill 1, Spartak 0.

Spartak went down by the narrowest of margins in a tight semi final encounter in Loughlinstown.

A jittery defensive start saw the Sky Blues concede a deflected goal after 4 minutes, following a series of defensive errors.

Steve Grier had a header knocked off the line as Spartak regained composure, but Neil McGowan had to make a sliding intervention at the back after more defensive uncertainty.

Spartak’s best move came just before the break when Steve Grier, Aodhan McCahill, Stuart Love combined to send Neil McGowan down the left. His cross too the keeper out of the game but Marcel Bajors, a full stretch, headed wide.

Valeview might have added to their lead early in the second half, but the shot was wide.

For the remainder of the game Spartak camped in the opposition half, but created few clear cut chances. Marcel Bajors had a header tipped onto the crossbar and over. Neil McGowan had a chance whipped off his toe. Steve Grier looked certain to score until a fine block thwarted him.

A late run by Steve Walsh saw him fire wide from the edge of the box.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 5 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 5 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5
Sub: Tom O’Driscoll 5

7.4.15

Parkvale 2, Spartak 5

The first midweek game saw Spartak eventually come out on top on a fine spring evening in Terenure.

Stephen Walsh had missed a couple of chances, one cleared off the line, before goals by Martin Costello and Neil McGowan put the Sky Blues ahead. Some sloppy defensive work, evident throughout the first half, allowed the home side back into the game and Parkvale levelled before the break.

The second period saw a greater level of urgency from Spartak , but Parkvale were buoyed by their recovery and fought hard.

Just past the hour mark, a Martin Costello foray was halted at the expense of a corner and Neil McGowan headed in from Stephen Walsh’s flag kick.

Then came a sustained period of attacking play from Spartak which saw three penalties awarded; Runs by Steve Walsh and David Kernan were halted unceremoniously in the area and a Tom O’Driscoll goal bound shot was handled on the line with a consequent red card for the defender.

Neil McGowan and Martin Costello saw the keeper get to their efforts before Stephen Walsh fired the third penalty home.

Karl McCullough converted at the back post for his first goal for the club to complete the scoring.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 David Browne 6 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullough 6 Mick Leslie 6 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
subs: Paul Kinsella 6 Niall Lennon 6 Joe McCarthy 6

28.3.15
Spartak 1, Willows 2

Too many players performing below optimum level saw Spartak suffer a disappointing defeat at home to Willows on a bumpy Marlay pitch.

Early errors by Niall Lennon and Barry Maguire gave the visitors chances which were safely held by Stephen Harris. Misplaced passing was the order of the day with the usually tidy Niall Lennon suffering the most. Chris Hogan had a number of chances to cross from the right, but failed to deliver anything that his forwards could work with.

Jeff Gamble made a great burst and crossed but Ciaran Keane fired wide from close range. Conor Callis showed great skill to turn his man but his shot was snatched and struck the post.

The visitors took the lead on the half hour from neat move, but just before the break Jeff Gamble showed strength and skill to smash in an equaliser.

Stephen Harris made a good save after a Maguire error but then on 48 minutes Joe McCarthy unwisely dived in close to the centre circle, missed, and willows extracted full punishment from an unbalanced defence.

Ciaran Keane then missed the opportunity to equalise when he blocked a clearance with the ball rolling towards an empty goal, but he hesitated in the follow up and the ball was cleared off the line.

Conor Calis made a few good runs, but too often chose the wrong final option; however on one occasion he wriggled free down the left and laid on a chance for Mick Greene. However a moment’s hesitation by Mick saw the chance evaporate.

Form Report

Stephen Harris 7 Barry Maguire 5 Mick Greene 5 Joe McCarthy 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 5 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Callis 6

22.3.15
Beech Hill 0, Spartak 2

Spartak came out on top in a bruising encounter in Donnybrook thanks to a clean sheet and two Steve Grier goals.

The Sky Blues began well with Dave Kernan raiding on the right and forcing the home team to some desperate defensive measures; a handball on the line seemed to give Spartak the breakthrough, but the ref awarded a free out, against Stu Love, to general surprise. In the opening minutes good work by Karl McCullough, Kernan and Martin Costello saw Steve Grier fire home, left footed, first time from the edge of the box.

Martin Costello and Steve Grier combined to give Stuart Love a clear run at goal but he fired wide.

On 20 minutes Steve Grier headed home Steve Walsh’s corner to complete the scoring.

The second half saw Spartak create many chances; Costello, Love, McGowan , McCahill and Walsh all missed opportunities, some easier than others.

A succession of free kicks and bookings conceded by the home team gave Spartak territorial advantage but they could not add to their lead.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Dave Kernan 7 Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Tom O’Driscoll 5 Seamus McCahill 6

21.3.15
Spartak 4, Loughshinny 1

A fine first half display in Marlay saw Spartak gain the three points, with just the minor blemish of conceding an injury time goal spoiling the clean sheet in a sporting contest.

Spartak took an early lead when Jeff Gamble drilled home a free kick to the top corner of the net, after he had been impeded, eschewing his usual sidefooted efforts.

A fine Canavan press and pass released Mick Leslie, and he transferred to Ciaran Keane whose cross just eluded Jeff Gamble.

Dave O’Kelly made a terrific saving tackle before a goalkeeping error by the visitors’ custodian, who lost the ball in the sun, gave Ciaran Keane a tap in.

Loughshinny continues to press and had a header just over, while Steve Harris also made a decent stop.

Quick thinking and a throw in from Barry Maguire gave Jeff Gamble the chance to make it three nil with a low shot.

The second period saw Loughshinny press hard to reduce arrears but the Spartak defence was sound, with Joe McCarthy making some good tackles and interceptions.

At the other end Mick Leslie, Jeff Gamble ,Conor Callis and Mcik Greene all had opportunities but it was not till the 82nd minute that Ciaran Keane showed composure in adding a fourth goal,

A sliced clearnace by Kevin Loftus gave the visitors an injury time corner, and poor organisation saw them reduce tha margin.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Barry Maguire 7 Mick Greene 6 Joe McCarthy 8 Dave O’Kelly 7 Ciaran Keane 6 Conor Canavan 8 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Browne 6 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Kevin Loftus 5 Conor Callis 6

15.3.15
Queens Park 0, Spartak 2

In bumpy and breezy conditions in Brickfields, the home side handed out some early introductions, conceding free kicks in the process.

Spartak huffed and puffed but Steve Walsh’s efforts went direct to the keeper, while Stev Grier had a valid penalty claim denied. Neil McGowan’s header brought a fine save from the keeper.

The breakthrough came when Steve Grier headed powerfully home from Martin Costello’s corner

Early in the second half Queens Park suffered a red card from an innocuous situation, and shortly afterwards Dave Kernan’s run brought a corner. The ball was half cleared and Stev Grier fired a left footed volley to the roof of the net.

The ten men gave a good acccount of themselves and Spartak could not add to their lead.

A clean sheet and three points.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 6 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 6 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Ken Buckley 6 Ciaran Keane 5

14.3.15
Spartak 0, Sallynoggin Pearse 3

In tough conditions in Marlay a Spartak side, somewhat weakened by injuries, went down to the league leaders.

With plenty at stake, Sallynoggin displayed early nerves and Spartak spurned a number of early chances, the best two of which fell to Ciaran Keane, but a poor touch foiled his first chance, and he fired wide with the second, very presentable, opportunity.

When Sallynoggin took the lead, it appeared Joe McCarthy had been impeded in his attempt to clear before the loose ball was fired in. A quick break on the half hour saw the lead doubled.

A good move early second half saw Joe McCarthy burst forward before releasing Jeff gamble down the right. His cross looked good but Mick Leslie fired over.

Ciaran Keane did get the ball in the net from Niall Lennon’s pass, but was given offside when clearly on.

There was no lack of endeavour by the Sky Blues, but poor execution let them down.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 6 Joe McCarthy 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 6 Shane McInerney 7 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Barry Maguire 5 Darren Browne 5