Spartans Snippets: The weekend round-up

Posted on Sunday, September 27th, 2015

Spartans progressed to Round 2 of the William Hill Scottish Cup after running out 5-1 winners over Coldstream at Ainslie Park.  After a relatively subdued first half that saw the home side head to the sheds one goal to the good through Aaron Murrell, the goals came thick and fast after the break.

Murrell went on to add two more to claim a hat-trick whilst Robbie Ross netted on his return from long term injury and Eddie Malone rounded off a good day at the office with a well placed free-kick.

The draw for the 2nd Round will be made at Hampden on Thursday 1st October at 2pm.

The East of Scotland side headed across the Forth and had to come from behind to secure victory over Burntisland Shipyard in their league clash.

Goals from Ger Rossi, Blair Atkinson & Paul Dickson ensured the three points came back across the bridge in a game that also allowed Andy Howat the ‘luxury’ of missing a spot kick.

The Spartans Amateurs ran out 9-1 winners in a local derby against North Edinburgh Wanderers in the 2nd Round of the Centenary Cup at Ainslie Park.

Two goals within the first 5 minutes for the home side through Liam Smith  and Darren Cain set the tone of the game.

There was no let-up from a rampant Spartans side who went in at half time 7-0. A Daren Cain double was added to by Kameil Mcdonald , Graham Miller and an own goal before the interval.

Understandably, the game went flat in the second half however there was consolation for the Wanderers who recorded a consolation goal. A stunning 25 year free kick from Craig Rankin however made it 8-1 before a looping header over the keeper from substitute Darren Davidson rounded off a comfortable afternoon for the Amateurs.

Manager Nick Munro said after “We set up well against a good side and took our chances which we haven’t done in the previous games. It’s great to be in the next round of the cup and we can take today’s positives into league business next week.”

The Amateurs had an elongated warm-up as they had to await the outcome of a pulsating Inspire Sport Scottish Cup tie involving the U19s and Currie Star on the Community Pitch.

Ten goals were shared in what was a humdinger of a cup tie with extra time unable to separate the sides. Currie finally coming out on top in the lottery of the shoot-out, winning 4-3 on penalties with their keeper making two valuable saves.

Meanwhile, the lunchtime start on the stadium pitch saw Spartans FC Reds U19s progress to the next round of the Inspire Sport Scottish Cup U19s with a comfortable 6-0 win v Armadale Colts U19s.

The weekend got off to the perfect start on Friday night when the Under 20s scored two goals either side of half-time to beat Edinburgh University 4-0.  Les Atkinson’s side responded to their Scottish Cup defeat with a confident display that began with a fine solo goal from Johnny Grotlin and it was the same man who set up Andy Mair to double the Spartans lead.  It was then Mair’s turn to be provider as his corner fell to the head of Jordan Brown who found the net.  Brown reciprocated with two minutes left on the clock as Mair landed a brace to give his side their third win in the Qualifying League Group stages.