Dishington dumps Dalbeattie out of League Cup with extra time winner

Posted on Sunday, May 1st, 2016

Jamie Dishington’s late Extra Time winner earned his side a narrow League Cup quarter final victory against Dalbeattie Star in a frantic five goal thriller at Ainslie Park.

Dougie Samuel’s side saw a handful of changes to the one that played Whitehill in midweek whilst Jack Beesley made his 200^th appearance in Spartans colours.

Early advantage, just like the league fixture seven days previous, went to Spartans with the deadlock being broken inside seven minutes.  Aaron Murrell dragged the ball across the edge of the 18 yard box before tucking it low beyond Drysdale in the Star goal.

The lead was doubled by the same player in the 32^nd minute after intelligent play by Beesley who set up the young striker to despatch his 28^th goal in twenty six games this season.

Beesley was in tormenting mode and he was crudely taken out in midfield by Sloan who earned a spot in the Referee’s jotter for his troubles.

However, Sloan atoned for his transgression with five minutes left in the half as he slotted home a penalty after Ewan Saunderson brought down Jack Steele in the box.

Both sides traded chances as Spartans looked to extend their lead before the break whilst Dalbeattie looked for ‘Desmonds’.

HT: Spartans 2-1 Dalbeattie Star

Ross Gray was replaced by Brad Raiker as the sides got the second half underway.

Dalbeattie seemed to be the hungrier of the two teams to get their name on the scoresheet next with a plethora of possession forcing the home side to defend with a greater frequency than they would have liked.

Ewan Saunderson was forced to retire with a niggle after 56 minutes and Paul Dickson came off the bench for the second time in as many games.

It was all square midway through the half when Sloan floated a cross into the box which saw Wells nip in front of Carswell to prod the ball over the line.

David Greenhill came close to restoring Spartans lead when he rattled his shot off the crossbar with the game entering its final stages.

Then both sides had opportunities to steal it at the end when Muir was inches away from snatching it with a header following a free-kick whilst Raiker was unable to finish a fine run into the box that showed potential to be a match winner.

FT: Spartans 2-2 Dalbeattie Star

The opening period of extra time couldn’t separate the sides and with the threat of the lottery of penalties, both teams pressed ahead to snatch a late goal to seal victory.

Murray was close when he made a move into the box, beating the keeper but finding the base of the post with his final touch.  This was followed by Murrell who crashed an opportunity off the bar.

Then, with six minutes left, Dishington was on hand to slide home a Murrell cut-back from the six yard box into the net to secure his side a semi-final date away at Gretna next Saturday.

FT ET: Spartans 3-2 Dalbeattie Star

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Michael Bruce

Spartans: Carswell, Brown, Stevenson, Saunderson (Dickson 56), Bruce, Greenhill, Beesley (Murray 87), Gray (Raiker 45), Murrell, Dishington, Maxwell.  Subs: Hunter, Gilpin (GK)

Dalbeattie Star: Drysdale, Wilson, Thorburn, Todd, Maxwell, Wells, Steele, Dunn, Muir, Sloan, McHarrie.  Subs: Proudlock, Johnston, Roan, Fyfe, Neil