Last gasp goals give Tomassi’s men dramatic derby win against Leith

Posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

League Leaders Leith were delivered an injury time double whammy blow by Colin Tomassi’s side in the Central Taxis East of Scotland League Match of the Day at Ainslie Park.

With both clubs looking to claim the local derby bragging rights in what promised to be a close affair, it was no surprise that the early exchanges were that of a midfield war of attrition with neither keeper needing to be called into action.

The first chance of the match came for the visitors after some nice creative passing down the right hand side saw Sean Murphy find the feet of Kerr Allan in the 18 box only for the midfielder to fire wide.

Blair Atkinson then had an opportunity to separate the sides before the break after cutting back inside on the left flank before seeing his effort drag wide.

HT: Spartans EOS 0-0 Leith Athletic

Managers Tomassi and Riddel half time chats appeared to be ‘more of the same’ as the game concentrated on the middle third of the stadium pitch.  Both gaffers akin to Chess Grandmasters, tactically eyeing up that next move with a degree of patience in mind.

Then, in the 73rd minute, Leith took the lead through Sean Murphy. The striker picking the ball up inside the box and his powerful strike leaving Ross Gilpin with little to do other than collect the ball from the back of the onion bag.

“A plan is made for a few moves only, not for the whole game.  – Rueben Fine”  With the game heading into the final sixty seconds and Leith looking to make it nine in a row, Tomassi’s tactics perhaps echoing former American Chessmaster Fine’s quote as his side looked to grab something out of the game.

Substitute Maclean Simpson was brought down just outside Leith penalty box with seconds left in regulatory time.  With impending fatherdom seeing David Greenhill opt out of a trip to Peebles, it was perhaps not the only fantastic delivery he was going to witness over the weekend as the free-kick, hit by power and precision, flew into the top corner to level proceedings with seconds left on the clock.

Spartans had the bit between their teeth and with Riddel’s men on the ropes, Greenhill fed the ball out wide to Sean Stewart who in turn saw his cross find Blair Atkinson at the back post.  The former Under 20s player composed himself before guiding the ball home, much to the delight of the home bench and support in the stand.

It was stalemate to checkmate in 60 seconds, ensuring Spartans pulled off a dramatic win to maintain their unbeaten home record and close the gap on their opponents to six points, with a game in hand.

Full time Spartans EOS 2-1 Leith Athletic

You can watch the highlights courtesy of Leith Athletic’s footage on You Tube. There might be a couple of sweary words in there, so volume down in front of the kids!