Spartak Dynamo FC

15.9.18
Spartak 3, Kilbarrack Utd 2

Man of the match Owen McCormack scored a header and an well taken opportunist goal to add to a fine performance at centre back.

The visitors were a good side, moved the ball well and could all play a bit, so the Sky Blues were under early pressure. However the defence played solidly throughout and kept the marauding forwards at bay with good tackle, blocks and interceptions.

A good move between Chris Hogan and Jason Fenlon saw the latter’s cross driven across goal, where a defender inadvertently deflected it in for the lead goal. Spartak had a flurry of chances following a corner, but snatched at each, before Kilbarrack broke at pace to secure an equaliser.

The Sky Blues’ response was instantaneous, with Owen McCormack nodding in Dale Mullins’ corner at the back post.

A solid second half performance saw the three points safe, after Owen McCormack took advantage of a goalkeeper’s misplaced pass to shoot in first time, left footed, from 25 yards. 3-1.

Kilbarrack got one back after Greg Byrne’s great save was followed in for the rebound by a forward.

But Spartak held firm and the points were secure.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 8 Leo Behan 5 Owen McCormack 9 Kevin Murphy 8 Shane McInerney 6 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 6 Jimmy Dawson 7 Jason Fenlon 6 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Conor Canavan 6 Conor Brady 5

8.9.18
Spartak 3, Broadford 0

A comprehensive victory over local rivals is always pleasant, and the manner of the win was pleasing.

A solid defensive performance, a clean sheet, and important contributions from the bench all helped.

Dale Mullins put the Sky Blues ahead , racing on to Steve Grier’s pass to neatly convert. Jason Fenlon and Tom O’Driscoll had opportunities to add to the score, Jason fired over and Tom just failed to connect when racing on to a long pass.

Tom then struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort from distance to lay down a marker at the start of the second period, but it was not till late on that Spartak added two more, Neil McGowan shooting in on 79 minutes after a Conor Callis corner was half cleared, and then Neil, Conor Callis and Niall Hanratty combined to put Jeff Gamble in for a third with just three minutes remaining.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 7 Dave Browne 7 Ian Harmon 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dale Mullins 7 Steve Grier 7 Jason Fenlon 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6
Subs: Kevin Murphy 7 Jeff Gamble 6 Conor Callis 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Conor Canavan 6

1.9.18
Walkinstown 3, Spartak 0

A tough start to the season at a venue where the Sky Blues have been successful in recent seasons. But not this time.

A powerful home team held the whip hand in terms of possession and territory, but Spartak created the clearer chances in the first half, with Jason Fenlon having a couple of efforts saved.

The game turned in a single second half minute. A good Spartak move saw Jason Fenlon through on goal ten yards out, but he dragged his effort wide, and almost immediately at the other end Owen McCormack was penalised for a rash tackle in the box. Greg Byrne got a good hand to the resultant penalty, but it was forcefully struck and so the home side took the lead.

Spurred on by this, Walkinstown scored two fine goals. Spartak’s best chance came at 2-0 down when Amin Afsar’s curler beat the keeper and hit the post, but Mick Leslie was unable to force in the rebound.

Disappointing.

From Report
Greg Byrne 7 Ian Harmon 6 Steve Grier 6 Owen McCormack 5 Owen Marron 5 Stuart Love 6 Mick Leslie 5 Amin Afsar 5 Jason Fenlon 6 Jimmy Dawson 6
Subs: Dale Mullins 6 Shane McInerney 5

Friday June 1st sees the annual awards night in the Eden House.

Three players have reached the 200 game milestone, namely Stuart Love, Niall Hanratty and Chris Hogan (That’s Tubes to the uninitiated).

Club Man of the Year has the usual batch of previous winners in Jason Doyle, Mick Greene, Paul McGowan and Barry Crowe, with Ger Byrne, Chris Hogan and Stuart Love and Shea McClafferty also nominated

For Sunday Player of the Year, Ger Byrne and Stuart Love (again) along with Steve Grier, Jeff Gamble Dave Kernan and Dave Browne comprise the list of candidates

Saturday Player of the Year nominations are Greg Byrne, Mick Leslie, Cian Stenson, Sean Doyle and Chris Hogan, and a wildcard nomination for Gerry McGuinness.

6.5.18
Spartak 4, DAA 2

A third win in five games boosted the Sky Blues.

Despite having the minor share of possession and opportunities, Spartak took their chances admirably to garner three more valuable points.

However, the visitors will rue their lack of finishing power, and curse the goal line clearances made by Spartak defenders to deny them on several occasions. Spartak lived dangerously early on, but were lifted by a well taken Jeff Gamble goal. Collecting the ball from Jimmy Dawson, he shrugged off a defender before taking the chance early from 25 yards. An unmarked Dublin Airport player equalised and almost immediately added number two. Spartak were now under siege and defensive laxity allowed the visitors chances to extend their lead, as they grew in confidence. Occasional breakaways led by Ger Byrne and Jeff Gamble were the only respite. Against the run of play, however, Cian Stenson took advantage of a defensive error to equalise with a calmly taken finish just before the break.

Spartak settled well after the break and Stuart Love headed just over from Tom O’Driscoll’s corner kick. The lead goal came on the hour mark; an incisive Cian Stenson pass, some good work by Ger Byrne and then Tom O’Driscoll, hitherto quiet, shot powerfully home from the edge of the box for a belated first goal of the season.

DAA then missed an easy chance after Kevin Loftus raced out to head the ball clear, but got no distance. An even easier chance was foiled after Ian Harmon and Kevin Loftus were rounded, but Billy O’Neill somehow got back to clear off the line.

Spartak put the cream on the cake when Tom O’Driscoll released Cian Stenson on the right, and his cross was met with a fine Gamble header to seal the win. Jeff Gamble then had a credible penalty claim denied near the end.

Not the greatest performance, but four fine goals to remember.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 6 Cian Stenson 8 Billy O’Neill 6 Ian Harmon 7 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 6 Conor Brady 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Jimmy Dawson 7 Ger Byrne 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6
Sub: Dave O’Kelly 6

27.4.18
Spartak 2, Sallynoggin 2

An injection of experience and craft from some of the Spartak seniors saw Spartak dominate a game against Sallynoggin. Three big calls went against the Sky Blues. A Ciaran Keane goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside; Spartak had the ball over the line but the ref did not agree; and the first Sallynoggin goal was clearly offside.

All these factors aside, this was a most satisfactory performance. A stunning opening goal by Terry Fallon, who controlled, turned and fired over the keeper from 35 yards, was the highlight, while a late equaliser when Sean Doyle forced in Conor Callis’s blocked effort was well deserved.

The visitors took an undeserved lead when Spartak failed to deal with a long ball, but Spartak came back relentlessly to gain a point.

The Sky Blues can reflect on a fourth place finish, product of a late surge which saw just one defeat in the last half dozen matches.

Form Report:
Owen McCormack 8 Chris Hogan 7 Cian Stenson 6 Sean Doyle 8 Kevin Murphy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Darren Ritchie 5 Gerry McGuinness 7 Stephen Barr 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Terry Fallon 7
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Dave Slevin 6 Collie Dunne 6

23.4.18
Mt Merrion Youths 2, Spartak 3

A chilly Monday night game in Rosemount saw Spartak emerge with full points, albeit after a late surge by the home side.

All went well for the Sky Blues early on, with fluent football and confident passing. The first goal took just two minutes to arrive, with Aodhan McCahill and Darren Ritchie combining before Cian Stenson sent Owen McCormack through for an assured finish. Darren Ritchie poked home following a corner to make it two nil. It was generally one way traffic at this point, although the home side caused a couple of flurries with wind assisted corner kicks. Chris Hogan probably deserves some kind of award for going down injured after a block, then some time later jumping up and kicking the ball away petulantly, receiving a quite unnecessary caution for his trouble.

A slick move by Aodhan McCahill and Owen McCormack saw Seamus McCahill in for a good chance, but, cutting inside, he shot over the bar when colleagues were well placed.

On the hour Spartak did go three up, when Darren Ritchie forced the ball through for Cian Stenson to take a touch before finishing confidently.

Merrion got back into the game when they scored via a deflection. Spartak had a few chances to close out the match by adding a fourth, but Owen McCormack chose wrong options on a couple of occasions, and Leo Behan shot straight at the keeper on another.

A second goal for the home side saw a tight finish, as Spartak went down to ten when, with all subs used, Greg Murphy fell awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder.

A resolute Sky Blue defence saw out the late challenge to secure the victory.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 6 Chris Hogan 6 Aodhan McCahill 8 Sean Doyle 8 Kevin Murphy 6 Seamus McCahill 7 Leo Behan 6 Cian Stenson 8 Owen McCormack 7 Darren Ritchie 7 Mick Leslie 7
Subs: Shane McInerney 6 Conor Callis 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Greg Murphy 6

22.4.18
Spartak 4, Cabinteely 0

Spartak gained some measure of revenge for a cup exit at the hands of Cabinteely, but were somewhat flattered by the margin of victory.

An excellent solo goal by Ger Byrne gave Spartak the early lead, but the visitors struck back, shooting powerfully against the crossbar and then missing an easy chance.

Ger Byrne terrorised the Cabinteely back line throughout, and was unlucky to finish with only one goal, while also being denied a clear penalty when the keeper impeded him. The Cabinteely keeper played well and foiled him with good saves on at least three occasions.

Ger then provided the assist to the second goal, a flashing header from Dave Kernan. Dave was later awarded man of the match by the visiting LSL representative.

As Cabinteely faded, Dave Kernan sent Cian Stenson in to round the keeper and add number three, and Stuart Love finished the scoring after lashing in when Steve Grier headed down a free kick.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 6 Ian Harmon 7 Darragh Logue 7 Seamus McCahill 8 Dave Browne 7 Stuart Love 8 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 8 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 8 Tom O’Driscoll 7
Subs: Niall Lennon 6 Cian Stenson 7

23.4.18
Spartak 2, Mid Sutton/Sportslink 1

A somewhat fortunate win, in that both goals came from big Mid Sutton errors.

Nonetheless, Spartak came from behind at the interval to win. The visitors scored after a smart move and cross found the Sky Blues defence wanting. Up front Mick Leslie missed a couple of presentable chances in a tight first half.

Spartak found their rythm in the second period; Mikey Ryan and Mick Leslie combined to send Ciaran Keane in with a chance, he turned inside and clipped the top of the bar with his effort. Then the equaliser came after a scramble, during which any of Mikey Ryan , Mick Leslie or Leo Behan might have scored. All missed the opportunity until a visiting defender, attempting to clear, smashed the ball against Mick Leslie, and the ball looped high to the net over a helpless custodian. Mick was immediately in twitter contact with Harry Kane, who advised him to claim the goal.

Worse was to follow for the visitors. Sean Doyle’s cunningly flighted free kick was headed to his own net by a defender, who was under pressure from Kevin Murphy’s run. 2-1.

Spartak now opened up, buoyed by the goals, and played some nice football. Cian Stenson added a “third” but was ruled offside, and Ciaran Keane had a clear one on one chance, but shot at the keeper.

Spartak’ defence, ably marshalled by Sean Doyle, and with Owen McCormack an assured deputy for the injured Greg Byrne between the posts, held firm to clinch the win.

Form Report
Owen McCormack 8 Chris Hogan 6 Cian Stenson 7 Sean Doyle 8 Kevin Murphy 7 Jason Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Leo Behan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Mikey Ryan 6 Conor Canavan 6 Gary Murphy 6

14.4.18
Enniskerry 3, Spartak 5

On a windy Astro in Enniskerry, Spartak claimed a victory, largely due to a wonderful early second half penalty save by Greg Byrne to prevent the hosts taking the lead.

Driven by a central midfield partnership of Seamus McCahill and Stuart Love, Spartak created plenty of opportunities in the first period. Darren Ritchie was around the keeper, but was robbed of possession by the cover. Darren and Ger Byrne combined to give Cian Stenson a chance, but the keeper pushed his indecisive effort on to a post. Mick Leslie beat the keeper with a high flick, but could not bring the ball down to finish. A neat one two saw Stephen Barr score after combining with Darren Ritchie.

Suddenly the hosts came alive, as Spartak dozed at a throw in, and the forward had plenty of space to fire home. A long range effort then gave Enniskerry the lead.

Stuart Love equalised early in teh second half as Spartak came out stronger, but then an undisputed handball from Chris Hogan gave the hosts the chance from the spot. Greg dived low to his right to thwart the taker, and also blocked the follow up.

Gradually the Sky Blues took command and Seamus McCahill scored form distance, before Stuart Love added an acrobatic second and Ciaran Keane the scored a trademark long range lob. The home side got a late consolation to make it 5-3.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 9 Chris Hogan 6 Leo Behan 8 Stephen Barr 7 Kevin Murphy 6 Stuart Love 8 Seamus McCahill 8 Cian Stenson 6 Mick Leslie 6 Darren Ritchie 6 Ger Byrne
Sbs: Ciaran Keane 6 Gary Murphy 6