Geosonic Lowland League: Gretna grounded by a goal of Grinchy greatness

Posted on Saturday, September 1st, 2018

A Man of the Match goal scoring performance by Jamie Dishington and a top drawer overhead kick by Craig Stevenson guided Spartans to a 0-4 victory against Gretna 2008 in the Geosonic Lowland League.

Alan Brown and Jason Stevens returned to Dougie Samuel’s starting squad for the trip to Dumfriesshire as Spartans looked to maintain their unbeaten start to their campaign to retain the title.

An overcast afternoon met the teams as they made their way out onto a park that saw Craig Stevenson outfoxed by a divet and Ian McFarland collide in a midfield 50-50 during the early exchanges.

It was almost an opening goal for the visitors when Steven MacDonald defied the offside trap, won a head to head with the Gretna keeper who raced out his box but was forced wide. He squared the ball to Jack Smith who saw the ball hit a bobble as he went for the tap-in, seeing his effort go agonisingly over the bar.

Smith was to get on the scoresheet though and in the 26th minute he nipped in to tuck the ball behind the Gretna goalie to convert Michael Herd’s cross.

Spartans doubled their in the 32nd minute when Craig Stevenson’s corner was met by Blair Tolmie who powered his header into the back of the net.

Six minutes later, there was further light between the sides and what a goal it was to. After a goalmouth melee, the ball broke around the penalty spot and Craig Stevenson launched himself into an aerial assault, producing an overhead kick that will see ‘Grinchy’ dine out on for some time to come as it sailed over the keeper into the net.

HT: Gretna 2008 0-3 The Spartans

Spartans set out where they left off at the start of the second half, with Stevenson putting in Smith who saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.

Keeping your concentration as a Goalie when the bulk of the play is at the opposite end can often lead to complacency however there was nothing wrong with Blair Carswell’s reactions as he raced out of his box to deal with danger, even having time to adjust his body position to clear the ball with a Kung Fu style kick.

Midway through the half, it was four. Jamie Dishington collecting the ball deep inside the Gretna half before racing in on goal to slide home.

The rain came, the game petered out and all eyes were on the Referee to signal to the sheds.

FT: Gretna 2008 0-4 The Spartans