GeoSonic Lowland League: Rampant Spartans hit Vale for six

Posted on Sunday, December 9th, 2018

A Stephen MacDonald double and a wondergoal from Alan Brown guided Spartans to a six goal victory over Vale of Leithen under the lights on Friday night at Ainslie Park.

With five goals in two games under his belt, Blair Atkinson continued in his starting berth up front alongside Jason Stevens who was promoted from his spot on the bench last week against Newtongrange Star.

It was Stevens who almost got the goal scoring underway in the opening stages at the cold and wet North Edinburgh arena.  With Vale keeper Ross Gilpin going AWOL at the edge of his area, the big striker rounded the galivanting goalie but the angle was too cute to direct the ball home, as it agonisingly flashed across the face of the goal line.

Stevens didn’t have to wait too long however to find the net.  Fine play and a turn of pace by Alan Brown saw him skip past his pursuer to whip in a cross that found the striker with enough space and time to compose himself before thumping the ball beyond the former Spartans stopper.

The same player almost turned provider as he put on the pace to collect what looked like a lost cause and delivered a cross that narrowly avoided the shoelaces of the extended leg of MacDonald.

That second goal did come though in the 28th minute and it was a contender for goal of the season.  Alan Brown picking the ball up 25 yards out before manoeuvring himself into position for sending a superlative looping effort that flew past the despairing dive of Gilpin into the top corner.

With Vale on the ropes, Spartans made Manager Dougie Samuel’s half time team talk a more relaxed one with a third goal of the evening.  David Greenhill’s corner found Adam Corbett hovering with intent on the outskirts of the box and he headed high and handsomely home.

Half Time: Spartans 3-0 Vale of Leithen

The second half started in a similar vein to the first, with it blowing a hoolie and Spartans on the offence.  However the first goalmouth action after the oranges was in the home box.  An in-swinging corner landed inside the six yard box and it forced Blair Carswell to change course of direction at the last minute to avoid it gusting over the goal line.

Spartans made it four shortly after when an corner from David Greenhill caused a commotion in the visitor’s box before it broke to Stephen MacDonald who slid in with his long legs to poke the ball through a plethora of bodies to add to scoreboard.

Even with the Under 20s playing next door on the Conor Horribine Edwards, the home bench was fuelled by youth and the first of three changes took place with 19 year old Cameron Dawson replacing David Greenhill.

Entering into the final quarter of the game, Spartans added to their tally with Michael Herd having the freedom of Ainslie Park to run in on goal and slide under the stranded Gilpin to make it five.

Before the match could restart, Spartans made a further change and it was Academy Graduate Douglas Crowe who made his first team debut coming on for Atkinson.

With eight minutes left on the clock, the rout was completed and it was Stephen MacDonald who put the gloss on a clean sheet victory with the simplest of finishes.

The second senior debut of the night then saw Josh Wishart take to the field replacing another of the snowdrift of young Spartans who have progressed within the Ainslie Park ranks, Adam Corbett.

Final Score: Spartans 6-0 Vale of Leithen

Malt and Hops Man of the Match – Stephen MacDonald