Spartak Dynamo FC

9.2.19
Spartak 6, DCU 2

Spartak overcame a rugged DCU side in some style, leading by six until concentration lapsed to spoil the clean sheet.

A bad foul on Jeff Gamble necessitated an early change; the yellow card meted out to the culprit seemed hardly sufficient given the nature of the challenge.

DCU had claims for a goal when the ball was scrmbled off the line, but the ref ruled no goal. It wasnt until the 35th minute that the Sky Blues made the breakthrough. Mo Sheleg, on for Jeff, crossed; Neil McGowan and JAson Fenlon worked the opening for Conor Brady. Conor’s first effort skidded away wide of the posts, but Mo Sheleg retrieved the ball and crossed again. Conor fired high into the net. 1-0

Spartak quickly added a as second after good work by Kevin Cunningham and Carl Fenlon allowed Jason Fenlon to shoot home.

In the second half, confidence surged after Jason Fenlon scored from outside the box. Neil McGowan and Mo Sheleg combined to allow Carl Fenlon to make it 4; then when Neil McGowan was pulled down in the box, Spartak had the luxury of missing the resultant penalty, Carl Fenlon’s weak effort was easily saved, although the situation was retrieved Conor Brady slotted in the rebound.

Neil McGowan sent Conor Callis through to round the keeper and make it six, before late lapses gave the visitors a degree of consolation.

Form Report
Liam Caffrey 7 Kevin Cunningham 8 Chris Hogan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Lennon 8 Neil McGowan 8 Dale Mullins 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Carl Fenlon 8 Jason Fenlon 8 Conor Brady 7
Subs: Conor Callis 7 Mo Sheleg 7

13.1.19
Edenderry 1, Spartak 3

Spartak struck early with a goal of the season contender. In a sweeping move, Kevin Cunningham sent Ger Byrne away on the right, and his cross was met first time on the edge of the box by Neil McGowan, whose venomous shot to the corner left the keeper helpless.

For most of the remainder of the first half, Edenderry were on top, and equalised, as well as discomfiting the Sky Blue defence. Blocks from Ian Harmon and a goal line clearance from Tom O’Driscoll kept the home team from adding to the score. In breaks, Cian Stenson hit the bar, and then had a good header form Kevin Cunningham’s cross clawed away by the keeper, while Niall Hanratty was just wide with a header.

It was a different story at the start of the second half, as Spartak upped the tempo. Cian Stenson again brought two good saves from the keeper, while Ger Byrne fired over from close range. Niall Hanratty was narrowly over from distance after spotting the keeper off his line.

Ger Byrne then exchanged passes with Cian Stenson before firing in low to put Spartak ahead.

The home keeper unfortunately collided with Cian Stenson and had to retire injured. (He was fine after the game). Edenderry were unperturbed by this setback and sought the equaliser. Twice they seemed to have achieved their aim, but marvellous clearances by Ian Harmon and Tom O’Driscoll prevented them.

Tom O’Driscoll and Cian Stenson combined to allow Owen Marron to get the clinching score.

A satisfying win.

From Report
Jason Northey 6 Kevin Cunningham 8 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Steve Grier 7 Ian Harmon 8 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Jimmy Dawson 6 Ger Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 7
Subs: Owen Marron 7 Dave Browne 6 Dave O’Kelly 6

9.12.18
Spartak 0, Bohs SC 2

A frustrating day for the Sky Blues.

Despite Spartak looking stronger, Bohs went in a half time ahead, thanks to a break away. Spartak ahd gone close when Amin Afsar hit the bar, but despite good possession , had not created too many clear chances. Jason Fenlon fired at the keeper from the edge of the box, and Neil McGowan had a first time effort wide.

Worse followed, as Bohs tacked on number two.

Spartak then responded, but could not reduce arrears; Steve Grier clipped the top of the bar, Owen Marron fired wide from close in, and the last 20 frantic minutes produced many chances for the Skay Blues, held scoreless for the first time this season.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Ian Harmon 7 Steve Grier 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Owen Marron 5
Jason Fenlon 6 Amin Afsar 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Leo Behan 7 Niall Lennon 7 Ciaran Brady 6

1.12.18

River Valley Rangers 2, Spartak 3

Once again, Spartak were grateful to the goalscoring prowess of skipper Ger Byrne, who pounced for the winner from close range to clinch the points.

On a heavy pitch, the home side took the lead after some pressure. Jason Northey had already made a good stop, but could not prevent the score.

Amin Afsar went close before Niall Hanratty reacted quickest in the six yard box to equalise.

Ger Byrne sent Stuart Love away on the left and his first time cross was headed in by Amin Afsar. A collectors item.

A changeover caught out the Sky Blues and Ian Harmon could only propel the cross to his own net. Dave Browne risked all from another dangerous cross but fortunately his header went out for a corner.

Late on, Amin Afsar’s corner resulted in a scramble in the box, and the loose ball was fired in by an exultant Ger Byrne.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Kevin Cunningham 6 Dave Browne 6 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Stuart Love 7 Amin Afsar 7 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Ger Byrne 7 Niall Hanratty 7
Subs: Jimmy Dawson 7 Niall Lennon 6 Luke Russell Hallinan 6

18.11.18
Cabinteely 1, Spartak 2

An opportunist Ger Byrne goal snatched victory in the dying moments, just when it seemed a draw was inevitable.

Spartk had the best of the opening exchanges, and Cian Stenson missed a presentable opportunity before Stuart Love nodded in Dave Browne’s assist.

Both sides missed good chances before the interval, but it remained 1-0 to the Sky Blues.

The home side mounted an onslaught in the second period, and equalised after some sustained pressure.

A second yellow saw Spartak reduce to 10 men for the final quarter.

Spartak, however, defended brilliantly dug in and fought back for a winning score right at the death.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 6 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Ian Harmon 8 Steve Grier 8 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mo Sheleg 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Ger Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 7
Sub: Niall Lennon 6 Luke Russell Hallinan 6

7.10.18
Ayrfield 2, Spartak 3

An early 2-0 lead gave the Sky Blues the platform for this victory.

Mo Sheleg’s cross was met by Cian Stenson, and when the keeper could only parry, Mick Leslie made no mistake from six yards.

Mick Leslie made it two with a fine header form Owen Marron’s cross. Spartak remained in control of the first half, with Stuart Love wide from good position, although Niall Hanratty was forced to make a sharp save.

The home side replied immediately after the break, and then might have equalised when Owen Marron’s misplaced pass inadvertently put the striker through, only to lob over the crossbar.

Owen Marron took advantage of a goalkeeper error to prod in the third, and chances thereafter were evenly distributed. Mick Leslie had a good opportunity but could not complete his hattrick, while Dave Browne made a vital block. Ayrfield got a second close to the end, but the Sky Blues held firm

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 7 Jimmy Dawson 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Owen Marron 6 Mo Sheleg 6 Mick Leslie 7 Neil McGowan 6 Cian Stenson 6.
Subs: Amin Afsar 5 Chris Hogan

20.10.18
Spartak 2, Rosemount 3

A spirited comeback looked certain to end happily for the Sky Blues, as they fought back from a two goal deficit. Spartak looked the more likely winners until an injury time breakaway gave the visitors a scarcely deserved victory.

The first half saw the visitors in control and comfortably ease into a two goal lead , without much from Spartak in the attacking sense.

A fine move instigated by Mick Leslie saw Ger Byrne volley in Jason Fenlon’s cross to bring new heart to the Sky Blue cause. Dale Mullins gave Owen Marron a good opportunity, but the shot was straight at the keeper.

With just a few minutes left, Owen Marron and Dale Mullins combined to allow Jason Fenlon to sweep in the equaliser.

But failure to prevent a cross, right at the death, proved fatal to the Sky Blues hopes and saw the visitors leave elated.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Andy Timmons 7 Leo Behan 7 Steve Browne 7 Owen McCormack 7 Jason Kelly 7 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 6 Owen Marron 5 Ger Byrne 6 Jason Fenlon 7
Subs: Conor Callis 5 Shane McInerney 6 Conor Canavan 6

29.9.18
Spartak 2, Edenderry Town 2

By the time the Sky Blues woke up in this match they faced a two goal deficit.

Indeed it was all Edenderry as Spartak contributed to their supremacy with lethargic, and sometimes sloppy, passing.

A panicky clearance ricocheted nicely for a visiting forward to put Edenderry ahead; and some ball watching allowed a second goal. Spartak had put together one fine move at nil-nil, with Keith Kelly and Ger Byrne combining to give Steve Grier a chance close in, but in attempting to clip the ball over the keeper Steve hit the top of the bar, and over.

Stuart Love gave Stev Grier a chance of a shot, which the keeper saved at the expense of a corner. Amin Afsar’s flag kick was nodded in by Stuart Love, just before half time.

Spartak showed purpose in the second period, and got into some good crossing positions, without unduly troubly the visiting net minder.

With 15 minutes remaining, a Ger Byrne pass put Mo Sheleg in on goal; his shot was blocked, but Jeff Gamble, following up, equalised.

Spartak, energised, now went for the win; Cian Stenson and Neil McGowan both went close, but the best chance fell to Stuart Love who headed over from close range.

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 6 Keith Kelly 6 Cian Stenson 7 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 5 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Amin Afsar 5
Sub Chris Hogan 5 Mohammed Sheleg 6

23.9.18
Spartak 6, Tymon Bawn 0

A three goal salvo in the opening ten minutes put Spartak firmly in control of this game. Ger Byrne got two opportunist scores before Niall Hanratty finished a cross by Cian Stenson.
Spartak went close to conceding when Dave O’Kelly gave away possession at the edge of the box, but the visiting striker pulled his shot wide from a promising position.
Neil McGowan added number four, running on to a Cian Stenson pass before slotting home.

The second half was a damage limitation exercise for the visitors, but Neil McGowan and Niall Hanratty added goals to complete the scoring.

Form Report
Adam Doran 6 Keith Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 7 Dave O’Kelly 5 Stuart Love 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Owen Marron 5 Ger Byrne 6 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Mick Leslie 5 Niall Lennon 6 Jimmy Dawson 5

16.9.18
Woodfarm 2, Spartak 2

It certainly felt like an opportunity missed, although Woodfarm had a glorious chance very late on which struck the woodwork, and which could have snatched victory against a tiring Sky Blue outfit.

Spartak were somewhat depleted, with Jimmy Dawson starting for the second time in the weekend, but opened well enough, and moved the ball through the thirds calmly. Keith Kelly had a great long range effort which hit the bar, and it was form Keith’s throw that Stuart Love flicked on which lured the keeper out to punch the ball straight to Amin Afsar, 15 yards out, and he neatly lobbed the ball in.

Spartak looked favourites to add to the scoreline before the break, but instead the locals equalised, against the run of play, after the winger came inside, evading tackles from Tom O’Driscoll and Neil McGowan to shoot in from outside the box.

The Sky Blues got the dream start to the second half, with Owen Marron pivoting to fire home left footed, after a good move involving Cian Stenson, Amin Afsar and Jeff Gamble. Then almost immediately Stuart Love and Jeff gamble combined to set up Cian Stenson, but he shot wide with the keeper out of position.

As injuries and tiredness set it, Spartak created few more chances and it was the home team who grew stronger, equalising before fashioning a few chances.

Form Report
Niall Hanratty 5 Keith Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Neil McGowan 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Stuart Love 6 Jimmy Dawson 6 Jeff Gamble 5 Owen Marron 6 Amin Afsar 5 Cian Stenson 6
Subs: Conor Brady 5 Kevin Murphy 6 Ger Byrne 5