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Vintage Mitchell Strike seals Cup win
November 9, 2008
Newcraighall Leith Victoria 0 - Spartans 2
East of Scotland Cup Round 1
A trademark Andy Mitchell free kick with only minutes to go in the first round of the East of Scotland cup was arguably the only highlight of a close cup tie with local rivals Newcraighall Leith Victoria. The home side switched the game from their usual pitch to a tight, muddy alternative in an effort to gain an advantage over a much fitter and better footballing Spartans side.
Manager Mark Lamb opted for a 4-3-3 formation in an attack minded strategy to take the game to Newcraighall and kill the game off early with a front three of Zuk, Bannon and Perry. However, due to heavy conditions and a schoolboy sized pitch the game resorted to a frenzied blood and guts local cup tie. Spartans created few chances in a tense first half with most of the danger coming from the ageing left boot of Jim Rae who sent in countless cross field balls for Gary Bannon to attack at the back post.
The opening goal came from a a Mitchell corner which was drilled low to the front post. Zuk managed to get his toe on the ball to direct passed the Newcraighall keeper in a crowded box. Paul Sutherland tried hard to level the game by inexplicably falling over his own feet to let the Newcraighall centre forward in on goal. Quick thinking by Burns and Steele however snuffed out the attack and averted danger. Spartans returned to to a 4-4-2 formation with Moffat partnering Zuk up front and Perry and Bannon reverting to wide positions in the midfield.
The second half was equally as uneventful with Spartans comfortably holding onto the one goal advantage. Spartans keeper Paterek having little to do in goal and the centre back pairing of Steele and Sutherland holding firm. Newcraighall did have a penalty appeal turned down after Steele tangled with their centre forward but the referee waived play on. Newcraighall had a small period of good pressure resulting in a few corners but no real efforts on goal to test the Spartans rearguard.
Adam Perry (Asbo) hobbled off with a sore hip to be replaced by Danny Forbes who has been in superb form this season and was unluckly to be on the bench to start with. However, Forbes in a truly professional display had left his shirt in the dressing room and spent 5 minutes trying to find the groundsman! Spartans played with 10 men during this time until Forbes eventually took to the field. The big man quickly made a nuisance of himself and succeeded in winding up the Newcraighall back four with an outrageous dive that he copied from Sutherland in the first half.
Forbes won a free kick wide on the left with five minutes to go and Mitchell curled a superb ‘cross-cum-shot’ into the far top corner with the keeper routed to the spot. Spartans finally started to play some football and had two guilt edge chances to kill the game off, neither of which were taken. First, a fluid move saw the ball squared to Gary Bannon 3 yards out on his left foot. Gary caught the ball sweetly with his left foot and with a the power he could muster it managed to trickle one yard, hit a defender who had time to stop and tie his lace before deflecting the powerful strike out for a corner. In the last minute a back post cross was headed against the post by Forbes from a full 4 yards as well, the players looked around to see who was injured as Danny sportingly put the ball out for a bye kick.
Team: Paterek, Burns, Rae, Sutherland, Steele, Moffat, Mitchell, Boyes, Perry (Forbes), Bannon, Zuk (Harris), Sub not used: Fleming
After the game manager Lamb was delighted with the result and battling peformance. Lamb said he would ‘never forget’ Mitchell’s strike, he was glad that the team showed ‘patience’ and he would ‘Take That’ performance. Lamb feels that the team has great ‘promise’ and if we can continue to ‘let it shine’ on the park ‘could it be magic’ this season.
More good news followed with Sam Scott announcing that he will be back at training on Tuesday following his knee surgery.
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