Spartans cruise past Clarets to win Ronnie Swan Trophy

Posted on Sunday, July 18th, 2021

Spartans lifted the Ronnie Swan Trophy in the sizzling Scottish sunshine following a 5-1 victory over Chelmsford City at Ainslie Park.

In the final pre-season outing ahead of the Lowland League opener against Rangers B on Tuesday night, Dougie Samuel’s side welcomed the Vanarama National League South outfit to North Edinburgh in what set out to be a tough test.

The Captains lined-up for the obligatory pre kick-off photo with the Trophy, knowing only one of them would be able to get both hands on it come close of play.

With the game getting underway with the mercury topping 23 degrees, the match started at a pace that was never sustainable as both sides looked to make an early breakthrough.

That almost arrived for the tourists however they found Blair Carswell in fine form with a tremendous double save as he denied Tom Blackwell’s turn and shot then remarkably kept out Charlie Sheringham’s rebounded effort.

After the first of two water breaks, Freddie Hockey shanked his effort wide then Simpson saw his header cleared off the line as the visitors pushed for the opener.

Just after the half hour mark, Sam Newman collected the ball on the edge of the box before weaving his way into the box and sending his attempt beyond Jacob Marsden to give Spartans the lead.

With the players set for the sheds and some replenishment of their Factor 30, the game was level.  Callum Harrison was on hand to slide home from a yard after the ball was squared across the box.

HT: Spartans 1-1 Chelmsford City

The hosts almost regained the lead shortly after the restart when Jamie Dishington opted to stay on his feet under an awkward challenge just inside the penalty area only to see his effort go narrowly wide.

On the hour mark Waugh and Brown were replaced by Baur and Murrell and it was the most incredible of introductions for the latter who scored within seconds of coming on, breaking the offside trap following Blair Carswell’s bye-kick and beating the goalie in the subsequent one-on-one.

Just two minutes later, Spartans put further light between the sides.  Again, it was an assist for Carswell who sent the ball long to find Jamie Dishington who turned Evan Payne before sending home from a narrow angle.

Sam Jones was next on the scoresheet when he was on hand to slot home on the back of Jamie Dishington’s cut back to make it 4-1.

The visitors looked to claw back the deficit with just 10 minutes left on the clock.  Anisius Lewis looked lively after coming on from the bench and he set up Simeon Jackson however it was Carswell to the rescue with yet another top drawer stop.

The icing on the proverbial cake came in the final moments when Jamie Dishington broke from deep inside his own half before selflessly threading the ball into the path of Aaron Murrell who guided it low into the back of the net.

FT: Spartans 5-1 Chelmsford City

A big thanks to the Chelmsford players, management and supporters on making the journey up to Edinburgh. Best of luck for your season.

In the curtain raiser, Spartans u20s defeated their Chelmsford Academy counterparts 5-0. Blair Atkinson returned to the fray with the opener, with Lamont netting to make it 2-0 at the break. Ndlovu made it three just after the break before Lamont scored his second of the afternoon. The final goal of the game came at the death when Ndlovu bagged his brace with a coolly slotted effort.