GeoSonic Lowland League: Share of the spoils in Edu draw

Posted on Monday, October 29th, 2018

Stephen MacDonald’s first half header earned Spartans a 1-1 draw against Edusport Academy in a frustrating afternoon at Ainslie Park.

It was a Spartans Family affair for this GeoSonic Lowland League encounter with the Youth Section’s 2010 Age Group supplying the Mascots and they took to the field with the team in a decidedly chilly North Edinburgh.

The opening ten minutes passed without much to consider for inclusion in this report.  Then, just two minutes later, the deadlock was broken.

Craig Stevenson sent Gary Cennerazzo on the run to the Edusport byeline before he whipped in a delightfully weighted ball for Stephen MacDonald to attack with conviction at the front post to give Spartans the lead.

Another couple of opportunities to extend the lead were in the offing, with Stevenson sending the keeper into full stretch mode and David Greenhill almost finishing off a fine passing move, only to see his effort narrowly clear the bar.

Ten minutes left until the break, Stevenson delivered a fine ball into the six yard box.  Heroics from the Edusport keeper however thwarted Jack Smith who must still be wondering how the Goalie made up the yardage to throw his body in front of the ball to keep it out!

HT: Spartans 1-0 Edusport Academy

Edusport were close to equalising on the hour mark when Flynn’s flying effort beat Carswell, only for the woodwork to save Spartans.

Spartans made a double substitution shortly after, with Jason Stevens and Scott Maxwell joining the fray and Alan Brown & Jack Smith withdrawn.

A rather fascinating battle between MacDonald and Edusport’s Raffi Krissian unfolded throughout with the visiting defender earning yellow for a foul on the home striker as he continued to pose problems in the red zone.

The Spartans Blair contingent amassed to three when Atkinson replaced David Greenhill for the final twelve minutes of what was a finely poised match.

With eight minutes to go, it was the visitors who salvaged a point.  Marc Kelly’s cross deep into the box evaded a few swinging legs to find Scott McGlaughlin who nudged the ball into the path of Jordan Alexandrou who despatched home from close range amidst muted appeals for an offside decision.

FT: Spartans 1-1 Edusport Academy