Burntisland ship seven as Spartans progress in Football Nation Cup

Posted on Saturday, September 5th, 2015

Aaron Murrell scored four as Spartans progressed into the 2nd Round of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup with a convincing 7-0 win over East of Scotland side Burntisland Shipyard at Ainslie Park.

The Lowland League outfit got off to a flying start when David Greenhill slotted home from close range with just 46 seconds on the clock.

Worse was to follow for the visitors when Aaron Murrell executed a fine turn and shot at the edge of the box to drill low past Mushet to extend Spartans lead.

In what was a pleasant afternoon in the North of the Capital, the mercury was certainly rising on the Burntisland bench and Referee McHendry had a lengthy chat with those concerned before play continued.

The early double whammy looked to have floored the Fifers however the home side were to be frustrated in front of goal as the half progressed.

Half Time: Spartans 2-0 Burntisland Shipyard

Spartans were almost literally handed a third goal when Mushet fumbled a corner kick, regaining the ball as it edged closer towards the line.

Douglas Samuel made a 64th minute replacement with John Grant being replaced by Michael Herd.  Herd will no doubt have called it an inspirational change as moments later, the ball did make its way into the Shippy net.  Once again, it was a telling corner from Eddie Malone that caught Mushet in two minds and sadly for the keeper, his attempted punched clearance was net bound.

Youngster Jordan Brown made his Senior debut in the 72^nd minute when he replaced Conner Duthie.

Keith Murray got in on the goals in the 77^th minute when his looping header cleared the keeper after Aaron Murrell almost connected with Alan Brown’s cross to the back post.

An 11 minute hat-trick by Aaron Murrell put the icing on the cake for Spartans.  His first came after Keith Murray was upended in the box.  Murrell calmly slotted the penalty home in off the post.

Alan Brown’s 85th minute mazy run was akin to a skier on the slopes Courchevel, as he weaved in and out of defenders like they were gates to set up Murrell who grabbed his hat-trick.

With the match ball already heading for the Man of the Match’s kitbag, David Greenhill threaded a pass into the path of the confident Murrell who lifted the ball over Mushet to round off a good day at the footballing office.

Full Time: Spartans 7-0 Burntisland Shipyard

Spartans: Carswell, Brown, Malone, Grant (Herd 64), Mackinnon, Greenhill, Dishington, Murray, Murrell, Duthie (Brown 72), Stevenson.  Subs Not Used: Thomson, Feather (GK).

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: TBC