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

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

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

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

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

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

The AGM will take place in the Eden on Tuesday 31st March at 7pm. Members paid up according to rule may attend and vote.

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

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

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