GeoSonic Lowland League | Spartans at a canter against Colts to secure fourth place

Posted on Friday, April 19th, 2019

Blair Atkinson was the recipient of the match ball with a hat-trick as Spartans secured fourth place in the GeoSonic Lowland League and entry into next season’s Irn Bru Cup with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Cumbernauld Colts at a sun-soaked Ainslie Park in the final match of the campaign.

With neighbours Civil Service Strollers having completed their quota of games, anything other than defeat for Dougie Samuel’s Spartans would see them leapfrog their North Edinburgh rivals in a tightly run end to another rollercoaster season.

It didn’t take long for the clash, played under a blanket of Pilton blue sky, to come to life and two goals within 60 seconds of each other certainly put paid to any threats that the game only had meaning for one side.

A long ball over the Colts defence was delightfully taken down by Blair Atkinson before his second touch lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to place the ball in the net.

The applause had barely died down before the scores were level again. Sean Brown was on hand to sneak in behind the last line of home rear guard to slide the ball past Blair Carswell.

Lots of passing play, on a perfect day for fast flowing football, saw both teams put on a show for the 177 inside Ainslie Park however it took until the 37th minute before the scoreboard was troubled again.

David Greenhill on the edge of the penalty area found himself with his back to goal. A lay off to the hovering with intent Blair Atkinson saw the striker unleash an unstoppable drive that would only have one outcome.

HT: Spartans 2-1 Cumbernauld Colts

Just six minutes into the second half and it was a hat-trick for Blair Atkinson. Jamie Dishington this time the provider as his defence splitting pass allowed the Malt and Hops Man of the Match to deliver a low drive into the bottom corner despite the close attentions of a Colts defender.

Cumbernauld’s cause looked to be an even bigger mountain to climb when they were reduced to 10 men following Scott Davidson’s straight red card for a crude challenge from behind on David Greenhill in the middle of the park.

That said, the visitors were next to score and make the game more interesting again. An almighty hoof up the pitch by the Keeper wasn’t dealt with in defence and the bounce over Adam Corbett saw Fraser Team lob Blair Carswell to make it 3-2.

A change in personnel saw Alan Brown replace Jamie Dishington and the substitute didn’t waste much time in making an impact on the outcome of the game. Arron Scott’s delightfully directed and weighted pass offered the pacey Brown to glide into the box before thrashing the ball home.

Cameron Dawson then swapped with David Greenhill to give the big striker his second outing in less than 24 hours after he guided the Under 20s to the League Cup Final on Friday night.

As the game entered it’s final stages, there was still enough time for Jason Stevens to bag a brace. Alan Brown’s telling cross was headed home in the 86th minute and shortly after, the striker wrapped up a good day at the office when he got enough toe to the ball to poke beyond the advancing keeper to round off a solid victory.

FT: Spartans 6-2 Cumbernauld Colts

Malt and Hops Man of the Match | Blair Atkinson


Next Fixture

                     
Date: 09/11/24
Opponent: Forfar Athletic
Venue:Station Park
Competition: SPFL 2
Kick off: 3.00pm

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