Raiker rules in EOS win over Students

Posted on Saturday, March 12th, 2016

Andy Howat’s double and a goal from Man of the Match Brad Raiker made it five games unbeaten for Colin Tomassi’s East of Scotland side as they defeated University of Stirling 3-1 in the early kick-off at Ainslie Park.

Spartans were lucky not to go behind after just eight minutes when Neil Shave sent his header wide of the goalframe despite finding himself offered the freedom of the home penalty area.

At the other end, there was almost a breakthrough for the home side when Shaun Miller broke free into the Students penalty box but his shot didn’t have enough purchase to trouble MacLean

Midway through the half, Brad Raiker’s pace sent the pint sized playmaker into the 18 yard box only to see his shot gathered at the second attempt by the Stirling keeper.

As the teams were contemplating their half time team talks, Paul Dickson almost change the shape of the chat but his header narrowly fell the wrong side of the bar.

Half Time: Spartans EOS 0-0 University of Stirling

The game burst into life ten minutes after the break when Brad Raiker’s drive up the flank gave him an opportunity to send in a cross than found Andy Howat at the near post and it took a deft flick to turn the ball past MacLean.

Two minutes later, it was provider turn goal scorer Raiker who made a telling break in midfield before going on a fantastic solo effort to slot home.

Substitute Chris Anderson continued to cause the Students a degree of discomfort following his introduction and it was his intelligent interaction with Raiker that saw the ball threaded through to Andy Howat who elegantly placed his shot into the bottom corner past a stranded MacLean.

With 8 minutes left on the clock, the Students grabbed what turned out to be nothing more than scant consolation for their efforts.  A thunderous drive by Peter Lynch saw the crossbar wobble like a jelly with Harvey Moyes the first to react and pull one back.

Full Time: Spartans EOS 3-1 University of Stirling