Greenhill goals guide Spartans to victory over Threave

Posted on Saturday, November 21st, 2015

David Greenhill’s double whammy helped Spartans secure a 4-1 victory over Threave Rovers at a bitterly cold Ainslie Park.

Gary Cennerazzo returned to the Spartans line-up for the visit of the Castle Douglas outfit which had journeyman John Gilbertson between the sticks.  The latter was to be the busier of the two throughout ninety minutes of domination from Dougie Samuel’s side.

Aaron Murrell was a post-width away from opening the scoring after just seventy seconds as the teenager looked to pounce in the box to finish off a fine flowing defence to attack move.

Cennerazzo was next to come close making a determined penetrating run before seeing his shot deflected over the visitors crossbar from an outstretched leg of a shot blocking defender for a corner.

Despite their early pressure, it took until the 16^th minute before Spartans broke the deadlock.  David Greenhill’s top drawer 25 yard curled effort left Threave keeper Gilbertson with little option other than look on as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Twinkle toed touchline trickery from Alan Brown just five minutes later saw the playmaker cross for Dean Horribine who, from ten yards out, saw his effort crash home in off the underside of the bar.

Conner Duthie was denied his first goal in Spartans colours shortly after when he became the next player to see the woodwork thwart their attempt to breach the whitewash.

Half Time: Spartans 2-0 Threave Rovers

A Craig Stevenson free-kick four minutes after the interval put further light between the sides after it was clinically executed, evading the wall and keeper before crossing the line via the base of the post.

The home scoring was complete with 65 minutes on the clock after Greenhill bagged his second of the afternoon. The midfielder taking control of the ball after it whizzed around like a pinball in a sea of legs inside the penalty box before bulging the net with a thunderous drive.

Rovers pulled one back with two minutes left through Ian Miller from close range, but it was a mere consolation effort for the tourists.

FT: Spartans 4-1 Threave Rovers

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Craig Stevenson

Spartans: Carswell, Brown, Cennerazzo, Malone (Saunderson 69), Thomson, Greenhill, Horribine, Stevenson, Murrell (Ross 69), Herd, Duthie (Murray 56).  Subs (Not Used) Gilpin (GK), Dishington.

Threave Rovers: Gilbertson, Jamieson, Kirkwood (Milligan 68), Patterson, Wilby, Dunglinson, Forsyth, Goodwin, Irving, Miller, Couper (Hammond 59). Unused Subs: Docherty, Barnes.