Blair flair fuels East of Scotland win against Peebles

Posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

Spartans closed the gap to just six points at the top of the Central Taxis East of Scotland League with a 2-0 win over Peebles Rovers at a blustery Ainslie Park.

A 64th minute wonder strike from Blair Atkinson together with an injury time goal from Brad Raiker ensured Colin Tomassi’s side overcame a Rovers side who played out the final ten minutes with the same number of men after Stephen Anderson was shown his second yellow card of the night.

The opening exchanges between the second and third place sides were born out of frustration as the wind swept across the stadium threating to play its part in shaping the outcome.

Blair Atkinson had the best of the early chances after his mazy run created an opportunity to test Darren Walker in the Rovers goal. His shot just clearing the crossbar as Spartans looked to break the deadlock.
Kai Wilson was next to come close after Chris Anderson’s free-kick was nodded back into the midfielder’s path however his low drive landed on the wrong side of the post.

When Captain Anderson let fly from the edge of the penalty area, his effort moved wildly in the wind seeing Walker look on as the shot crashed off the bar. The keeper reacted well to turn the rebound effort away for a corner.

Half Time: Spartans 0-0 Peebles Rovers

Almost midway through the second half, it was the home side who finally turned possession into a goal advantage – and in some style too. Blair Atkinson collecting the ball on the corner of the box before turning inside and unleashing an unstoppable strike that nestled in the opposite corner of Walker’s net.

Daniel Cassells had to look sharp at the other end when he denied Brendan Edwards from pulling Peebles level when he got enough behind a powerful drive to parry the ball behind for a corner.

As Rovers pushed for a point in the latter stages, their task of squaring proceedings was made more difficult when striker Stephen Anderson was shown his second yellow of the evening by the match official.

With the game moving into added time, Spartans used their numerical advantage to wrap up three valuable points as Blair Atkinson beat the offside trap to square the ball to Brad Raiker who calmly composed himself before comfortably side-footing past Walker.

Full Time: Spartans 2-0 Peebles Rovers

Spartans: Cassells, Boyes, Dickson, Gair, Saunderson, Wilson, Stewart, Dishington, Simpson, Anderson, Atkinson. Subs: Vastriano, Salim, Raiker, Thomson, Howat.