The Spartans versus Dunbar United (courtesy of Dunbar website)
Dunbar went into this league game against Spartans, the first Junior game at their new Ainslie Park facility, minus Geoff Jones, Stuart Robertson, Garry Lothian and Ryan Gibb.
Spartans stated their intentions early as Michael Osborne fed Iain Cartwright but he blazed his shot well over the bar. Dunbar nearly took the lead from a set piece, as John Twaddle’s corner was headed goal wards only for David Patarek to touch it over the bar.
Ross Hastie was the first booking of the afternoon when he was found guilty of pushing Michael Moffat, who seemed to go to ground rather easily any time any opposition player got even slightly close to him.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Spartans took a rather controversial lead. Michael Moffat had gone straight through John Twaddle on the half way line and when no whistle had come, continued down the right wing unchallenged and cross for NICK REID to slide into the net.
Dunbar came close 5 minutes later when Richie Weir fed Chris Grant down to Dunbar right wing. However, his shot was into the side netting. Curiously, a moment later, Iain Cartwright escaped a booking for an obvious handball offence when he clearly thought the referee was on the blind side. Grant Thomson had his name added to the crime count for a trip on Adam Perry.
On the half hour mark, Spartans went close to stretching their lead when Michael Moffat crossed for Nick Reid but his turn and shot went just wide.
Brendan Rooney went close with a header from Dunbar following an inch perfect John Twaddle corner and as Dunbar came back into the game, things might have been looking up for the visitors. A John Twaddle free kick into the box found Grant Thomson at the near post and his powerful header was pushed round the post by David Patarek. From the resultant Steven Girdwood corner, Grant Thomson saw his back post header cleared off the line by Mark Hutchison. Chris Grant then created a chance for Mark McEwen but his sliding shot went just over the bar.
Half Time: The Spartans 1 Dunbar United 0
Gary Bannon replaced Michael Moffat at half time as Spartans opened Dunbar inside the first minute of the second half. A high ball into the box by Michael Osborne found Daryl Johnston flattened by Nick Reid as he attempted to collect the ball. Kenny Young, standing on the bye line, played the ball along the line for NICK REID to net from under the bar whilst lying on his back. Dunbar could have been forgiven for expecting a free kick for the obstruction on the keeper or the blatant offside but the goal stood.
David McLeod found his name being added to the crime count for a late tackle on Steven Girdwood.
With an hour on the clock, the game was put to bed. There was just a touch of good fortune about the third Spartans goal as well. Kenny Young hit a free kick from 25 yards out which Daryl Johnston touched onto the bar. IAIN CARTWRIGHT reacted quickest and knocked the ball into the empty net.
Besides, the multiple subs, the only action of the remainder of the second half was a Steven Girdwood head flick, which went just wide from a Ross Hastie free kick.
All in all, it was a poor day at the office from an under strength Dunbar side who lacked a killer instinct up front.
Full Time: The Spartans 3 Dunbar United 0
The Spartans: – David Paterek, David McLeod, Mark Hutchison, James Hair, Samuel Scott, Michael Osborne,Michael Moffat, Kenneth Young, Adam Perry, Nicholas Reid, Iain Cartwright. Subs: – Gary Young, Martin Douglas, Raymond Fleming, Keith Boyes, Gary Bannon, Dale Robertson, Blair Thomson.
Dunbar: – Daryl Johnston, Grant Thomson, Stuart Laing, Dez Chisholm, Brendan Rooney, Mark McEwen, Richie Weir, John Twaddle, Steven Girdwood, Chris Grant, Ross Hastie. Subs: – Stephen Devine, Josh Hebdon, Mark Burke, Stuart Brown, Trialist #17, John Johnston (g/k).
Referee: – Mr. Paul Simmons.
Scorers: The Spartans- Reid (20 mins, 46 mins), Cartwright (60 mins)
