Unbeaten run continues with the joy of six for Spartans

Posted on Thursday, August 11th, 2016

Dan Ward netted his first competitive goal in Spartans colours as Dougie Samuel’s men reigned in the rain with a 1-6 win on the road at a soggy Victoria Park.

With the Borders town subject to an unseasonal downpour the match got underway and it took just two minutes for the visitors to take the lead. Blair Tolmie controlling the ball at the back before delivering a long pass behind the Vale defence to allow Jack Beesley to race in on goal before sliding the ball under home keeper Andrew McQueen.

Goalscorer Beesley turned provider in the fourteenth minute when his corner found Paul Thomson free inside the Vale box and his thumping header hit the back of the net before the goalkeeper could react.

It was an early two goal lead that the Ainslie Park side looked unlikely to surrender on a surface that, at times, saw players akin to Bambi on Ice as they struggled to stay on their feet due to the inclement conditions.

Half Time: Vale of Leithen 0-2 Spartans

If the interval was tea at Lords, the Umpires would have consulted the captains over the risk of bad light stopping play.  As the rain filled dark sky continue to envelope the Borders town, the sides got the second half underway.

Spartans extended their lead five minutes later after a volley attempt by Horribine landed at the feet of the unmarked Beesley who didn’t need a written invitation to slam home.

Visibility improved twice in six minutes when the striking whiteness of the Spartans substitutes jerseys illuminated the pitch.  Dan Ward replaced Beesley whilst Eddie Malone entered the fray at the expense of Andy Mair.

It was four midway through second period after Craig Stevenson put in a brilliant cross considering the conditions and it was finished off by the head of Jamie Dishington.

There was to be no respite for former Spartans favourite Chris Anderson’s Vale side as a deep cross from Dean Horribine was headed home at the back post by the bloody beaked David Greenhill.

Blair Carswell could only look on as ex-team mate Kevin Motion hit the crossbar with a free-kick from edge of box and moments later play raged up the other end of the park with Horribine threading the ball to Dan Ward who rounded the keeper before breaking his Spartans goal-scoring duck.

Brad Raiker was then introduced for Mikey Herd as Samuel utilised his outfield players in an energy sapping encounter.

Inspired by his strike, Dan Ward looked to have secured a penalty after originally being clipped by Danny O’Donnell on his way to goal.  He managed to regain his stride before meeting the boot of McQueen who had rushed off his line. Neither Vale transgression merited a shrill of the match officials whistle and Craig Stevenson’s lob from open play whizzed past the post.

With five minutes left on the clock, Sean Stewart netted for the home side but it was little more than a consolation effort as Spartans continued their unbeaten start to the season in emphatic style.

Full Time: Vale of Leithen 1-6 Spartans

Spartans: Carswell, Herd (Raiker 73), Mair (Malone 64), Thomson, Tolmie, Greenhill, Horribine, Dishington, Townsley, Beesley (Ward 58), Stevenson. Subs (Unused): Gilpin (GK).

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: David Greenhill