It’s Title-tastic for triumphant Spartans 20s who seal silverware quartet

Posted on Thursday, June 6th, 2019

It’s Title-tastic for triumphant Spartans 20s who seal silverware quartet

Goals from Joe Tait and Cameron Dawson before the break and a fitting finale from Captain Mikey Allan gave Spartans victory over Kelty Hearts to be crowned the Development League Conference Champions in the Play Off Final at Albyn Park, Broxburn on Thursday night.

The victory delivered an impressive haul of a quartet of trophies for Les Atkinson’s side over the season, with all four having been lifted within the last 20 days.

Any fears about weary Spartans legs were diminished within the open four minutes as the side, who have only lost two fixtures across a gruelling 40 match season, turned their early grip on the game into the opening goal.  Ollie Hetherington, who will be heading to the States on a Scholarship this summer, stole the ball on the halfway line before playing it through to Joe Tait who unleashed and unstoppable drive past the Kelty keeper.

Issac Mackie looked to double the lead shortly after when he let fly from some 20 yards.  The shot had plenty venom and it metaphorically – perhaps even literally – stung the goalie’s digits however he managed to prevent the ball from troubling the net.

Spartans were in dominant mode and when goalscorer Tait produced the goods on the left flank to whip in a cross, Lewis Hall was unlucky not to direct his header under the bar.

The Fifers had their first attempt on the half hour mark when they were awarded a free-kick.  Andrew delivered a fine dead ball attempt however it was pushed round the post by the poised Chris Peden.

The half time team talks for the respective management teams took a twist with just six minutes to go until the interval.

A corner from the left hand side by Joe Tait was delivered deep to the back post.  Skipper Mikey Allan whipped a volley towards the goal and it was turned into the net by Cameron Dawson from close range.

Half Time: Spartans 2-0 Kelty Hearts

Livewire Tait clearly had first dibs on the half time jelly babies as the young man on a mission had another run and shot moments into the second half but he could only drag it wide as the effort fizzled out.

Almost a freak piece of play on the hour mark allowed Kelty a lifeline.  Goalie Gibb with a bit of a miss-hit bye-kick sailed across the plethora of personnel and thankfully could only be send wide of the post by Mutch.

Spartans made a couple of substitutions in quick succession.   Matteo Crolla replacing Ollie Hetherington followed by Nicky Reid coming on for Joe Tait. 

Murray Hand almost turned provider for Nicky Reid when he nudged a through ball into his path however it was well saved by Gibb.

Then, with seven minutes left on the clock, Captain Mikey Allan was on hand to head home a Reid free-kick to turn a two goal cushion into an unassailable lead.

Full Time: Spartans 3-0 Kelty Hearts