Blair flair project : Atkinson nets hat-trick as Spartans go nap

Posted on Friday, October 20th, 2017

A man of the match performance by Dachi Khutsishvili and a hat trick from Blair Atkinson helped guide Spartans to an emphatic 9-0 victory over East of Scotland side Ormiston in the South Challenge Cup on Thursday night.

It was Khutsishvili who started the rout fifteen minutes into the tie. His first attempt was blocked, only for the defender to kick it directly back to him, leaving a simple tap-in from two yards.

The home fans didn’t have long to wait before it was two. Craig Stevenson finding the top left hand corner with pin-point accuracy from a 20 yard free-kick.

Khutsishvili made it three with twenty minutes gone as Spartans eased their way into the next round. Ross Guthrie supplying the defence splitting pass and from just inside the box, Dachi delivered.

Jack Nixon was unlucky not to get in on the goal action when his powerful strike rattled the crossbar, much to the relief of the goalkeeper.

That relief was merely temporary as Khutsishvili and Guthrie combined, the latter seeing his net bound shot deflected by Blair Atkinson to make it 4-0.

No respite for the man on the PA either as he had to announce two further goals before the break.

Scott Wilson was up next and he sent a 25 yard shot beyond the goalie, with the aid of a slight deflection then, with the half time whistle ready to blow, Scott Maxwell make it six with a free-kick from similar distance.

HT: Spartans 6-0 Ormiston

Ormiston’s first foray into Spartans danger territory came after the break when an attempt from a deadball effort hit Blair Carswell’s crossbar.

Scott Wilson then played in Blair Atkinson with a well timed through ball for the playmaker to net his second of the evening.

Atkinson then turned provider for former Under 20s stablemate Adam Corbett when he sent a cross into the box which met the head of the young defender and the outcome was number eight.

It was Atkinson who put the cherry on the South Challenge Cup cake with the best goal of the game. A fine solo effort from the speedster who weaved in and out of Ormiston defenders before unleashing and unstoppable strike deep into the bottom corner.

FT: Spartans 9-0 Ormiston

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Dachi Khutsishvili

Spartans: Carswell, Corbett, Stevenson, Nixon, Thomson (Herd), Maxwell (Brown), Atkinson, Greenhill (Allum), Khutsishvili, Guthrie, Wilson. Unused Subs: Tolmie, McFarland, Stobie.