3-2 Deja Vu as Under 20s beat the Frenchies in Challenge Cup

Posted on Saturday, February 25th, 2017

Les Atkinson’s Under 20s progressed to the 2nd Round of the Challenge Cup with a carbon copy scoreline victory of French Students Edusport Academy in the 2nd leg at Ainslie Park.

Spartans took a narrow 3-2 lead from the first leg at the same venue into the return fixture that offered drama, goals and penalty hits and misses.

The first of the spot kicks came as early as the 9th minute.  The Students being awarded and slotting home from 12 yards to make it all square on aggregate.

Johnny Grotlin almost nudged his men back ahead over the two legs only to see a desperate last ditch challenge deny the striker before he pulled the trigger.

It was a marker for Grotlin however as the same man pushed into the 18 yard box before unleashing an effort that nestled in the Edu net to equalise on the night.

Another penalty in the favour of the Students was awarded ahead of half-time only this time Cameron Rae pulling off a fantastic stop to ensure it was advantage Spartans at the break.

HT:  Edusport Academy 1-1 Spartans

On the hour mark, the ebb and flow of the scoreline continued as Les Bleus took the lead on the night with a strike from the edge of the box that left Rae with little chance.

Atkinson made a change, introducing Calum O’Neil at the expense of Lewis Hall.

With a quarter of an hour left on the clock, Johnny Grotlin’s inch-perfect pass found Mikey Allan who delivered the goodies to make it 2-2 on the night and give Spartans the lead, once again, on aggregate.

Then, with the match entering its final stages, up stepped Danny Sutherland to let fly and see his epic effort find the top corner and secure Spartans’ passage into the second round.

FT: Edusport Academy 2-3 Spartans (Spartans win 6-4 on aggregate)