Dish serves up late super strike as Spartans win at Welfare

Posted on Thursday, April 21st, 2016

A thunderous strike in Extra Time from Man of the Match Jamie Dishington and a trademark Jack Beesley free-kick saw Spartans knock Whitehill Welfare out of the Lowland League Cup to set up a Quarter Final tie against Dalbeattie Star.

A balmy 16 degrees and a blanket of blue sky welcomed fans to Rosewell for a League Cup clash between two old friends and foes seeking silverware at the business end of the season.

The opening exchanges saw both teams set out their stall on a pitch that had dried up well enough to ensure the tie went ahead, but still offering some challenges for fast flowing dynamic football.

Keith Murray was unfortunate not to give his side the lead on the half hour mark when he nipped in behind the Welfare defence.  The striker was about to pull the trigger but for the timely intervention of Murray.  The ball broke free and Murray had a further bite at the cherry but agonisingly sent his shot across the face of the goal and it went wide.

Four minutes later and the deadlock was broken.  Jack Beesley’s trickery forcing an unhelpful challenge 20 yards out and the dead-ball specialist lifted his attempt over the wall and beyond the Welfare keeper to give Dougie Samuel’s side the lead.

The context of the half time team talks changed with just sixty second left of the opening period.  Mikey Bruce’s mistimed challenge on Keane left the Referee with no alternative than to point to the spot.  Up stepped O’Hara who despatched the penalty home.

HT: Whitehill Welfare 1-1 Spartans

The second half was one that offered as many spells of entertaining football as it did frustrating ones as both sides pressed for a goal that would have avoided them undertaking an additional thirty minutes of play.

Spartans looked to have done just that when Murray headed the ball into his own net in a melee inside his own penalty area.  After consultation with his stand-side Assistant, the man in the middle decreed an offside infringement had taken place in the build-up so the scores remained tied at the end of ninety sunshine fuelled minutes.

FT: Whitehill Welfare 1-1 Spartans

Ushered into a quick turnaround by the Ref, the sides embarked upon a mission of ending the match in open play, rather than the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

The decisive moment came just four minutes into the first period.  Man of the Match Jamie Dishington collecting the ball circa 25 yards out before unleashing an unstoppable strike that left the Welfare keeper stranded.

Substitute George Hunter was instrumental in almost adding further light between the teams after skipping through the Welfare defence, including a nutmeg in the mix.  His cut-back into the danger zone couldn’t be converted into a goal however it was a welcome relief for Sammy’s Spartans when the final whistle sounded around Rosewell.

ET FT: Whitehill Welfare 1-2 Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Jamie Dishington with Paul Thomson commended for his contribution.