Spartak Dynamo FC

12.4.14
Spartak 1, Walkinstown 2

Spartak paid dearly for defensive lapses to miss out on the points, but despite being weary from Thursdays fine win showed plenty of effort and missed some good chances to equalise.

The visitors had most of the early plsy, with Spartak limited to a couple of Dave Berry half chances.

Walkinstown’s first goal was simplicity itself. A long ball found the home back four pushed up, and a running midfielder lobbed Jason Northey. Stung by this reverse, the Sky Blues made a couple of chances from Conor Keegan set pieces, with Dave Berry, Fintan Grace and Jeff Gamble going close.

On the hour the visitors took the lead; a long throw was flicked way past the back post but was returned to the danger area and Northey was beaten from six yards.

Again Spartak found the energy to rally and created good chances through Conor Callis and Jeff Gamble, but could not find the equaliser.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Leslie 6 Conor Keegan 7 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 5 Dave O’Kelly 5 Fintan Grace 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Dave Berry 6
Sub Kevin Loftus 5

12.4.14
Spartak 3, Terenure College 2

A sparkling first half performance by the Sky Blues was sufficient to hold off a second half comeback by the visitors.

Spartak were rampant in the opening half and attacked with verve and guile.

A long range effort by Dave Berry was fumbled by the keeper to give Spartak the lead on 13 minutes, and just 5 minutes later Jeff Gamble was fouled in the area, and Fintan Grace buried the resultant spot kick. A Sean Doyle cross was headed down by Jeff Gamble for Dave Berry to finish to make it 3-0. It was exhilarating stuff, and all too scarce this season.

The second half swung in the visitors favour; it would have been difficult for Spartak to maintain the frantic first half tempo, but the Sky Blues hung in and created opportunities. Dave Berry missed a good chance after a lung bursting run by Jeff Gamble just before Terenure reduced arrears.

While Terenure attacked in waves Sparak also had good chances on the break. Jervis Mulhall displayed a sign of rustiness when driving wide after a good move by Shane McInerney and Conor Keegan.

A neat volleyed goal made it 2-3 with six minutes left and from then to the final whistle it was all hands to the defenxive pimps, with Conor Keegan and Sean Doyle showing great resistance.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Keegan 9 Mick Leslie 7 Sean Doyle 8 Stephen Barr 7 Shane McInerney 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Mick Young 5 Fintan Grace 7 Jeff Gamble 8 Dave Berry 8
Subs: Niall Lennon 5 Jervis Mulhall 5 Conor Callis 5

6.4.14
Spartak 5, Beechwood 5

A cracking game with a cracking finish. Neil McGowan equalised on 92 minutes with a 35 yard top corner effort, but Spartak still found time, just two minutes later for Steve Walsh to hit the post with free kick in the dying seconds.

Needless to say defences were not on top here; but after Beechwood raced into a 2-0 lead it was the Sky Blue centre backs, Sean Doyle and Paul Kinsella, who took turns joining the attack to each get on the scoresheet. Seamus McCahill, Steve walsh and Neil McGowan combined to give Sean Doyle to chance to fire home; and then McCahill and Walsh combined to send Paul Kinsella through for a neat score.

Beechwood had taken the lead from a free conceded by an over zealous Kinsella in the first minute and a free header then made it two. But the first half comeback was complete when Derek Ruxton shot home from an angle after playing a one two with McCahill.

A mix up between Jason Northey and Mick Leslie saw Beechwood equalise; then a fourth showed up the Spartak defence in a poor light. Spartak fought back strongly and a Walsh corner was cleared to Fergus Burke he crossed fro Stuart Love to nod in, via the bar, to make it 4-4.

A deflected shot gave Beechwood the lead , but McGowan’s late, long range came to the rescue and Walsh almost won it with the last kick.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 David Kernan 7 Mick Leslie 5 Sean Doyle 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 7
Stuart Love 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Dave Berry 5 Ken Buckley 5 Mick Young 5

23.3.14
Spartak 0, Ballybrack 5

The scoreline here did not reflect the balance of play, as the Spartak players ruefully reflected at the final whistle.

It was a bad day at the office for the Sky Blues. Steve Grier suffered a painful, and season ending, knee injury following a tackle which brought a lenient yellow card; Neil McGowan struck the post with a penalty at 0-1 after Paul Kinsella was taken down; and was then knocked out, in full view of the referee, during an off the ball incident as the visitors scored their second from a corner kick.

A fine header had given the visitors the lead; and their third was also of high quality. As Spartak pushed on to try to reduce arrears, they were severely punished on the break.

But the overriding feeling from this game was what might have been with some rigorous refereeing. Spartak were left, literally, to lick their wounds.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Sean Doyle 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Martin Costello 6 Steve Grier 6 Fergus Burke 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Derek Ruxton 6 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Ken Buckley 5 Mick Leslie 5 Jeff Gamble 5

A tournament in commemoration of the late Dave Mohan will be held in the Postal Club in Kiltipper on Sunday 25th May.

There will be 16 teams playing in a 6 a side astro competition. Max players per squad will be 8 and entry fee is €120 per team.

Outside teams will be invited and a big turnout is anticipated from Spartak players both current and past.

Spartak Dynamo FC AGM will be held on Monday 31st March 2014 at 9pm in the Eden House.

Agenda

– Minutes of 2013 AGM
– Chairman’s report
– Financial Report
– Elections
– Any Other Business

Members who paid annual subscriptions before 31/12/13 are eligible to attend and vote.

Any members who wish to submit amendments/motions may do so, in writing, to the Secretary not later than 7 days prior to the meeting

7.3.14
Fassaroe 4, Spartak 3

When the home side took an early 2-0 lead with just 17 minutes gone the omens did not look good for the Sky Blues. Indeed, despite Steve Walsh pulling one back with a neat finish, the home side added two more before the interval. Spartak did have one more first half effort when Steve Walsh shot just wide.

Fassaroe had finished four from four with some decent finishing.

Far from being shell shocked Spartak began the second half with a flourish and produced some of their best football of the season in the third quarter. Chance followed chance as Derek Ruxton and Fergus Burke took a grip on the middle of the park, with Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh combining well up top.

Walsh had an effort saved after McGowan’s pass set him free, then Fergus Burke fired over after the goalkeeper fumbled a cross. Ruxton and McGowan combined to send Walsh in to reduce arrears. On 64 minutes a long Grier throw caused sufficient confusio for Neil McGowan to force home from a narrow angle; 3-4 and an entirely diffrenet complexion on the contest, which now swung in Spartak’s favour.

Martin Costello intercepted a clearance and fired towards goal; Fergus Burke seemed well place to slot in but seemed to think he was offside and that hesitation proved decisive.

Spartak laid siege to home territory but, showing too much anxiety, persisted with too many high balls against a powerful aerial defence which just about held out.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Dave Browne 6 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 6 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Derek Ruxton 8 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Walsh 8

8.3.14
Swords Celtic 1, Spartak 0

Played away from Swords usual headquarters, the wind strewn pitch was a bobbly nightmare for both sides,and led directly to the concession of the single, decisive goal.

With numerous absentees from the regular squad, and with Dave Browne volunteering to sub to make up numbers after playing a tough match the previous night, the Sky Blues face a difficult task against promotion chasing Swords, who had inflicted a humiliating defeat on the opening day of the season.

Spartak stuck manfully to their task in the opening half against the wind, and mounted only sporadic attacks in the face of the elements. Dermot Dooley and Fintan Grace put in a good shift in midfield and it was a blow when Dermot had to go off injured early in the second half. Chances were rare for Swords also, and Bobby Hayes was equal to anything fired at him, although on one occasion Stephen Barr cleared off the line.

In the second period the decisive moment came on 70 minutes when Swords broke down the left; Stephen Barr slid in to tackle, but the ball took a freak bounce and hopped over his outstretched leg, leaving the winger free to square the ball to the striker who drove home past an unsighted Hayes.

Spartak strove to equalise and had two big chances; a Dave Berry cross looked perfect for Niall Lennon but he directed his header just over. Mick Leslie burst into the box but his shot was too close to the keeper.

A decent performance without reward.

Form report
Bobby Hayes 7 Conor Keegan 7 Mick Leslie 6 Stephen Barr 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Fintan Grace 7 Jervis Mulhall 6 Niall Lennon 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Dave Berry 6
Sub Dave Browne 6

2.3.14
Dundrum 2, Spartak 3

Spartak’s comeback from two goals down was completed in the 84th minute when the home keeper could not hold Steve Walsh’s free kick and Mick Leslie was on hand to drill home.

Played in a downpour which churned the Meadowbrook and turned the game into a muddy relegation battle which Spartak just about deserved to win.

The Sky Blues went two down in the first half despite having the greater number of chances; Steve Walsh hit the bar, Seamus McCahill’s header was too tame to test the keeper, and several Walsh free kicks sailed into promising areas without a Spartak player applying the finishing touch.

Dundrum broke to great effect twice and neat finishing saw them race into a two goal lead. Adam Doran, deputising in goal for the suspended Jason Northey, had a fine game but was helpless to prevent the scores.

Just before half time Spartak were grateful to to the persistence shown by Stuart Love which saw him shake off two challenges before scoring to reduce arrears.

Dundrum started the second half in better and there were scary moments in the Spartak penalty area. Martin Costello risked the ultimate sanction when taking down a player on the edge of the box, but a yellow card was deemed sufficient.
A fine move by Seamus McCahill and Neil McGowan gave Steve Walsh the opportunity to fire home the equaliser from the edge of the box.

Then came Mick Leslie’s winner which moved the Sky Blues out of the danger zone on goal difference.

Spartak finished in attacking mode but Fergus Burke drove wide from a good position.

Form Report
Adam Doran 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Martin Costello 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Grier 7 Stuart Love 7 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Mick Leslie 7

23.2.14
Spartak 2, Leixlip 2

There were some key controversial decisions which affected this game and both sides will be left feeling aggrieved. Leixlip’s first goal was given despite being 15 yards offside; then Leixlip had a goal awarded, but then disallowed, after confusion over an offside decision.

Spartak could not however not argue with Jason Northey’s dismissal for a impeding a forward when both had missed the ball, and having gone 2-1 down with ten men showed character to stage a comeback.

Spartak were in full control in the first half and when Neil McGowan’s header was pushed on to the bar by the keeper, Derek Ruxton was on hand to fire the rebound home. But the SKy Blues made the near fatal error of taking the foot off the gas with neither full back venturing forward in support and generally taking the easy option with passes when more incisive work was needed.

It was one all at half time and after Derek Ruxton took up his position between the posts, Leixlip took the lead after a corner.

A burst from the back by Seamus McCahill led to the equaliser. Seamus fed the ball to Neil McGowan, and a neat pass gave Steve Walsh the chance to beat his man and slot home.

With ten men Spartak had shown character; a lack of kiler instinct had proved costly in the first half.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Lee Malone 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Derek Ruxton 7 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs Ken Buckley 6 Mick Leslie 6