Spartak Dynamo FC

The AGM will take place in the Eden on Tuesday 31st March at 7pm.

Members paid up according to rule may attend and vote.

8.3.15
Spartak 6, Confey 0

On a bumpy Marlay pitch the Sky Blues recorded their third home win in successive weeks, this time against a Confey outfit who have struggled in the league so far.

Missing some influential players, Spartak made light of the absentees and quickly took an early lead when Steve Grier’s header from Dave Browne’s assist drifted all the way to the net. That lead was quickly doubled when Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh combined to send Marcel Bajors though to score. Marcel got his second when the goalkeeper fumbled a cross, giving him an easy tap in.

Confey had a couple of breaks and Jason Northey spilled the ball but was bailed out by an alert Aodhan McCahill.

Steve Walsh converted Dave Browne’s pass to make it 4-0 at the break.

Martin Costello and Marcel Bajors combined to give Oskar Moore the chance and he converted from close in.

Martin Costello availed of a defensive mix up to fire in number 6.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 8 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Marcel Bajors 7 Oskar Moore 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Niall Lennon 6 Joe McCarthy 6

7.3.15
Cherryfield 8, Spartak 1

When Spartak reduced arrears and made it 1-3 with 11 minutes remaining, there was at least a faint hope that they might get something from a game, albeit against the run of play. However, in an abject last few minutes, Spartak conceded 5 unanswered goals to record a humiliating defeat.

The first half began badly when Chris Hogan failed to clear a cross and Spartak went one down. Chances which fell to Mick Leslie, Ciaran Keane and Jeff Gamble were all spurned before Cherryfield added to their total when Mick Leslie was dispossessed. Injuries to Daniel Sage, who had started well, and also to Jeff Gamble hindered the Sky Blues, and it was no surprise when Cherryfield added number three on the hour.

Again Spartak created a few chances, but Conor Callis and Ciaran Keane did not hit the target, befor Ciaran Keane converted Joe McCarthy’s cross.

Then came the shameful collapse.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 4 Daniel Sage 7 Joe McCarthy 6 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Canavan 4 Jeff Gamble 5 Niall Lennon 4 Evans Sarpong 4 Mick Leslie 4
Subs: Conor Callis 4 Thom O’Driscoll 4 Barry Maguire 4

1.3.15
Spartak 3, Glasnevin 2

On a day when rain, sleet and snow swept across Marlay Park, Oskar Moore marked his debut as a late substitute with a well taken winning goal in the 90th minute.

The game started really well for the Sky Blues with Dave Kernan firing in from long range in the second minute and then , just minutes later, Martin Costello ran on to Neil McGowan’s pass to finish neatly for 2-0.

Steve Grier headed Steve Walsh’s free on to the bar as Spartak seemed set to dominate.

But a reduced work rate saw Glasnevin come back into the game, and a deflected shot reduced arrears.

The whole complexion of the game changed on 40 minutes, when Keith Kelly’s challenge brought a penalty and a red card.

Salvation was at hand in the form of Jason Northey, who brought off a great save from the spot kick.

Spartak had to face the second period with 10 men, and in a good performance, had several good chances to get a third, while containing Glasnevin’s thrusts. Steve Grier poked an effort against the post; Steve Walsh had a great run and shot only to see his effort strike the inside of the post and stay out.

With just eight minutes left a defensive lapse saw the visiting forward fire high into the top corner, and at that point, with hail and snow arriving, Glasnevin looked to be favourites.

But Spartak’s substitutes combined to fashion a winning goal, as Marcel Bajors’ pass saw Oskar Moore race in to find the net in the final minute of normal time.

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

28.2.15
Rush Athletic 4, Spartak 1

With injuries an issue, Tony Kavanagh was pressed into action in this game and rolled back the decades in a solid display.
Overall the performance was satisfactory, but Spartak were holed under the waterline late in the first half by two poor refereeing decisions, just after Evans Sarpong had a “goal” ruled out for offside, and Ciaran Keane had eschewed a close range chance by blazing wildly over from a great position.

Ushering the ball over the end line, Tony Kavanagh was blatantly pushed over with the forward allowed to run in and score. Almost immediately a high tackle was ignored as the home winger drove in number 2.

Steven Harris was pressed into action and made some good saves, while controlling his area well, despite carrying a troublesome injury. Joe McCarthy played the 90 for the first time and put in an impressive performance. Overall the work rate could not be faulted.

The Sky Blues who came strongly into the game in the second period and Kevin Loftus and Ciaran Keane gave Jeff Gamble a good chance, but his close range effort was saved. ten minutes after the break Ciaran Keane got a touch to Mick Greene’s corner and Jeff Gamble fired in to reduce arrears.

Just past the hour mark and Mick Greene had a nightmare couple of minutes; deflecting in a corner to make it 3-1 to the home side, and almost immediately missing a penalty, and the rebound, when Jeff Gamble was tumbled in the box.

When Ciaran Keane was caught in possession with 10 to go, the home side got number 4 to clinch the points. Mick Leslie fired over as he Sk Blues continued to attack, but the gap could not be closed.

It did bot feel like a 4-1 game; those crucial, late, first half goals proved decisive.

Form Report
Steven Harris 7 Mick Greene 6 Mick Leslie 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Joe McCarthy 8 Ciaran Keane 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 7 Evans Sarpong 7 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Quinn 6 . Sub Kevin Loftus 6

22.2.15
Spartak 5, Woods Utd 0

In the end a comprehensive victory in tiring conditions in Marlay, with the pitch made heavy by overnight rain which continued throughout the match, making it a test of stamina for both sides.

Woods had a great early chance, but fired across goal and just wide, and it took quite a while for the sky Blues to work up a head of steam.

On 22 minutes the breakthrough came when Steve Grier poked home from ten yards, showing good feet in a crowded penalty area. Ten minutes later a fine run to the bye line gave Stuart Love to finish from 6 yards, and then Steve Walsh raced onto to a Stuart Love header to fire in number 3.

Keith Kelly and man of the match Karl McCullough marshalled the defence and secured the very welcome clean sheet.

Spartak added number four when Dave Kernan fired in after a good move by Steve Grier and Steve Walsh.

Keith Kelly, sent down the right by Neil Mcgowan, crossed for Stuart Love to add number 5 from his customary range.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Kernan 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Keith Kelly 7 Karl McCullough 8 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Ken Buckley 7 Steve Grier 7 Martin Costello 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Dave Browne 7 Mick Leslie 6

21.2.15
Spartak 0, Tymon Bawn 2

A 2 goal salvo on the half hour mark gave the visitors full points on the best surface Marlay has seen since the summer. The Sky Blues have little to complain about as their goalscoring efforts and approach play fell way short.

A scrappy start by the Sky Blues saw Chris Hogan repeatedly caught in possession and stand in keeper had to make a couple of smart saves.

Spartak broke repeatedly, but Ciaran Keane was wayward with a succession of crosses while Mick Leslie looked livelier than of late in a centre forward role, working hard for his team. Lee Malone found himself in a good shooting position, but failed to get power in his effort.

A bad foul on Daniel Sage caused disruption, and the visitors took advantage to fire in number 1, and Tymon added number 2 five minutes later.

The second half saw Spartak attack, but without conviction in the final ball.

Mick Leslie, racing in from the left, fired just wide as the second period got under way. Then a couple of poor free kick efforts by Mck Leslie and Daniel Sage saw Spartak spurn the opportunity to test the Tymon keeper.

A disappointing performance.

Form Report
Mick Greene 6 Chris Hogan 5 John Hanratty 6 Daniel Sage 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 5 Lee Malone 5 Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 6
Subs: Conor Callis 5 Joe McCarthy 5 Gavin Curtis 6

7.2.15
Earl Celtic 1, Spartak 0

Spartak crashed to defeat on a grassy and bumpy pitch in Brickfields, where the home team show a greater level of desire and urgency.

With Spartak on a good run, and Earl having won just once all season, this looked like an away win on paper. The way the game turned out could hardly have been more different. Earl, with decent finishing, could have been out of sight at the break. Spartak had the chance to regroup and work up a head of steam, but remained lifeless and listless.

A poor start by the Sky Blues proved a harbinger for things to come, and play never really improved.

An injury to an Earl player, who collapsed off the ball, held up proceedings mid match while an ambulance arrived. The player was, thankfully, later discharged from hospital.

Earl scored on the hour, and might have added one or two more, but it was their first half profligacy which cost them a greater margin of victory.

Among the few chances created by the Sky Blues were efforts by Mick Leslie, Ciaran Keane and Conor Callis, none of which carried the necessary conviction.

With the reverse fixture to follow next week, Spartak will need to improve greatly to get anything from the return fixture.

From Report
Bobby Hayes 4 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 5 Daniel Sage 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 5 Conor Callis 4 Niall Lennon 5 John Hanratty 5 Mick Leslie 4 .
Subs: Niall Hanratty 5 Gavin Curtis 4 Joe McCarthy 4.

31/1/15
Spartak 6, Peamount 1

It was with some level of trepidation that Spartak faced this fixture against an in form Peamount side. With five enforced changes from the previous game risking an unwanted level of disruption and might have justified some fall off in performance. However the visitors, apparently , were in the same boat, with players missing, and Spartak saw them off after a solid first half followed by some flamboyant attacking play in the second period.

Mick Greene, with some fine interceptions and passing, played really well in the first half; Niall Lennon, later to make a goal for Jeff Gamble with a sumptuous pass, took responsibility in the centre and tested the keeper early on with a long range effort. Conor Canavan showed good game intelligence with drilled passes to release the speedy Conor Callis on the right, who hit the post and also supplied a series of crosses. Ciaran Keane had the best of the first half chances, but did not take advantage.

Nil all at half time, and a satisfactory show so far. But nothing on what was to come!

Conor Callis, having lost the ball to the full back, won it back , closed in on goal and blasted the ball past the keeper from a narrow angle to give Spartak the lead; after Ciaran Keane had wasted a good chance made by Mick Greene, Peamount broke quickly to equalise.

Their joy was short lived. The Sky Blues then went on a spree, scoring four in a ten minute spell.

Ciaran Keane went on one of his mazy runs, this time opting to take the ball with him, and drilled a great low cross which went across the six yard box; Conor Callis passed the ball back inside to enable Shane McInerney to finish neatly from close range; Shane had only just come on as sub, having taken more time than a debutante to get ready!

Dave O’Kelly’s pass was then deflected into the path of Jeff Gamble, who lashed the ball inside the far post. McInerney and Lennon then combined to allow the latter to produce the pass of the game for Gamble to beat the keeper.

A Chris Hogan cross, which looked goalbound, was deflected to the net by Ciaran Keane’s chest, from all of half a yard out to make it 5-1.

Ross Kelly came on for his seasonal debut but lacked the sharpness to finish some promising opportunities.

As the game moved towards its inevitable conclusion, McInerney released Gamble down the right and he unselfishly laid on the easiest of finishes for Keane.

A highly satisfying second half.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 7 Daniel Sage 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Conor Canavan 7 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 8 Lee Malone 6 Conor Callis 8
Subs: Shane McInerney 7 Ross Kelly 5

25.1.15
Spartak 2, Beech Hill 0.

A tough cup tie against opponents who had won on their recent league visit to Marlay saw the Sky Blues maintain a clean sheet in a battling performance on a sticky surface with a tricky wind blowing across the pitch.

Some fine early work by Stuart Love set the tone and Spartak were up for the contest; a series of corners produce nothing as Martin Costello and Steve Walsh failed to deliver from the flag kicks.

On the half hour a forward burst by Steve Walsh was halted, but Dave Kernan retrieved the ball, raced forward before passing to Martin Costello, whose neat lay off was fired in by Walsh.

Steve Grier’s free was tipped over before Steve Walsh’s neat finish from Martin Costello’s pass gave Spartak the cushion of a two goal advantage.

The introduction of the substitutes gave Spartak an out ball as they sat deep and Keith Kelly’s cross almost provided fellow sub Thom O’Driscoll with a third goal.

Not the best performance but a safe passage through to the next round.

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