Spartans reach the semis after seeing off Students in Football Nation Cup

Posted on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016

Second half goals from Dean Horribine & Keith Murray helped send Spartans through to the semi finals of the Football Nation Cup against Edinburgh Uni who finished the game with 10 men.

Making his return to the Spartans line-up was striker George Hunter whilst there was a place on the bench for Dan Ward after a long lay off due to injury.

Hunter almost made it a dream start after just two minutes when he charged down goalkeeper Tait’s clearance however the break of the ball didn’t work out in the youngster’s favour.

As the half progressed, neither side looked in any degree of urgency to open the scoring. Guthrie having the best opportunity with the half drawing to a close. Unfortunately for the Student, the effort only posed a risk to the far side corner flag instead of Carswell between the sticks.

HT: Edinburgh Uni 0-0 Spartans

After a feast of home made scones & snacks, the fans of both sides took their places once again in the stand as the wind picked up around Peffermill.

The breakthrough came in the 59th minute and it was Spartans who took the lead.  Mikey Herd’s teasing cross caused all sorts of havoc inside the Uni 18 yard box before David Greenhill nodded the ball into the path of Dean Horribine who scored at the second attempt.

The wind factory settings were cranked up a notch or two shortly after and it nearly paid dividends for the home side in bizarre fashion.  An exceptionally long Patterson free-kick launched deep into the Spartans box evaded all and sundry before Carswell leaped like a salmon to palm over the bar.  The keeper collided with the post in pulling off the save however he remained on the field after treatment.

Spartans made a couple of substitutions, in the 69th and 77th minutes, with Robbie McNab replacing Jamie Dishington and Andrew Mair taking over from George Hunter.

Then, with 5 minutes to go, Spartans doubled their lead and stamped their passport into the semi final stages.

Duncan Black’s mistimed tackle on David Greenhill left the match official with little else to do other than point to the spot.  Already cautioned earlier in the game for a minor transgression, the Uni lad can perhaps count himself unlucky to have beaten the rush for the warmth of the showers after receiving his second yellow of the afternoon.

After the Referee completed his paperwork, Keith Murray stepped up and thumped his penalty home despite Tait’s despairing dive.

With two minutes of regulation time on the clock, Dan Ward got the opportunity to muddy his boots once again this season when he replaced Dean Horribine.

Substitute Andy Mair was desperately unlucky to rattle the stanchion as Spartans looked to put a shine on their victory that seems them go into the hat ahead of the semi final draw which also includes Civil Service Strollers, East Kilbride and Gala Fairydean Rovers.

FT: Edinburgh Uni 0-2 Spartans

Spartans: Carswell, Saunderson, Stevenson, Malone, Thomson, Herd, Dishington (McNab 69), Greenhill, Murray, Hunter (Mair 77) & Horribine (Ward 88).  Unused Subs: Beesley, Rae.