Clinical Corbett heads Under 20s to win against the Watt

Posted on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

An Adam Corbett last minute header gave Spartans a hard earned victory over Heriot Watt in a five goal thriller in the Under 20s League at Riccarton.

Spartans were first out the traps in what was a bitterly cold evening when Jamie Clark’s long throw into the box deceived the Watt defence and up popped Andrew Mair who headed home past Craig Saunders between the Student’s sticks.

Rae’s save down low at his right hand post on the half hour mark saw him stop Anton Dowds drive with Calum O’Neill’s timely tackle denying Gregoire Dawris the chance to bury the rebound.

The seasoned Saunders then kept out Mair with five minutes of the half remaining as Spartans looked to extend their lead ahead of the break.

HT: Heriot Watt u20s 0-1 Spartans u20s

It was an uncharacteristically slow start to the second stanza, Spartans found themselves under attack and it was little surprise when the Students levelled proceedings in the 57th minute through Dawris.

Normal service was resumed a few moments later as Cameron Dawson powerfully executed a perfectly weighted cross by Harry Girdwood to put his side back in front.

Saunders came to the rescue once again for the Watt when he opened up his frame to thwart Shaun Miller as the pendulum began to swing back in favour of the visitors.

There were loud claims on the home bench for a spot-kick after Cameron Rae and a Watt attacker met in the box, with the Student gracing the surface under a challenge. The match official waved aside the claims as play raged on.

Spartans manager Les Atkinson made a double substitution in the 75th minute with Shaun Miller & Cameron Dawson being replaced by Dylan Tait & Anthony Laing.

With five minutes left on the clock, Alex Imlah’s transgression on the edge of his own penalty area offered the home side an opportunity from a free-kick.  Cameron Ross beating his namesake Rae in what looked like a point-salvaging strike.

Then, with two minutes left, Spartans pushed forward and when Laing made a telling run up the touchline, he looked up to find his colleague Adam Corbett loitering with intent.

The ball whizzed into the six yard box and it was clinically met by Corbett who headed home the winner.

Full Time: Heriot Watt u20s 2-3 Spartans u20s

Spartans: Rae, Clark, O’Neill, Imlah, Corbett, Smith, Miller, Mair, Dawson, Girdwood, Archibald.  Subs: Hendry, Tait, Laing, Morton (GK)