Lowland League: Greenhill guides Spartans to victory with last gasp goal

Posted on Saturday, February 10th, 2018

An injury time goal from David Greenhill was enough to separate the sides as Spartans defeated Edinburgh University at Ainslie Park on Friday night.

There was a return to the starting line-up for Blair Atkinson whilst injury kept Jack Nixon and Gavin Malin on the sidelines for the visit of the Students to North Edinburgh.

Aside from a Ross Allum strike that saw University keeper Mark Tait require treatment as he looked to secured the rebound from his initial save, clear cut chances from either side were as rare as the night was cold.

A quick turn of pace by Craig Stevenson allowed for a cross to find Allum in the penalty box however his header could only find the bread basket of the welcoming Tait in the middle of the goals.

Blair Tolmie had the best of the opening half chances when he found himself in space some twelve yards out but his shot found Tait’s outstretched hand and the ball was diverted behind for a corner.

Blair Carswell contributed significantly to his own clean sheet when he raced from his line to curtail the danger of Jack Guthrie, sliding in to smother the ball at the feet of the forward.

HT: Spartans 0-0 Edinburgh University

Using our twitter feed as an aide memoire to recall the action from the baltic arena, the biggest contentious issue of the half was the spelling of harem scarem to describe frantic flash activity inside the Student box.

A trio of Spartans subs, a sea of chances going a-begging and some WWE style moves later, the match looked set to be heading for a stalemate.  It was a result that only the visitors would deem beneficial to their cause. Then, in the fourth minute of injury time, drama, delight and absolute scenes.

Blair Atkinson’s trickery saw ‘Sid’ snake his way into the University box before cutting inside to find Greenhill who duly despatched the ball between keeper and inside post before taking himself on a celebratory run to be met and congratulated by his ebullient team mates in the corner.

The lateness of the strike meaning their was no way back for the stuffy Students and when whistler Whyte blew for time moments later, a mixture of joy and relief swirled around the chilly night time Pilton sky.

FT: Spartans 1-o Edinburgh University

Post match, a delighted Davie Greenhill noted how pleasing it was to nab the winner at the death however he insisted that the side must simply concentrate on each game at a time in the title run-in.

“The goal was a bit of scramble really if I’m honest.  I think it hit off both my feet before finding the net!  Over the piece I think we deserved to win the game although the Uni team were at times dangerous on the break.  On another day though, I think if we’d bagged a goal early in the game we’d have gone on and won it more comfortably.

“Tonight’s result though shows the kind of character we have as a team.  After our disappointment last weekend, it was important that we bounced back right away with a win. The way we won the game gives us a big confidence boost.  It’s all very well saying we have games in hand, but we’ve still got to go out and win them!”

Team: Carswell, Herd, Stevenson, Tolmie, Corbett, Greenhill, Atkinson, McFarland, Allum (Lamarca 73), Brown (Dishington 66), Stevens (Guthrie 81).  Subs (Unused) Thomson, Maxwell, Khutsishvili, Stobie.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Carswell