Lowland League | Hendo hat-trick downs Dalbeattie

Posted on Sunday, December 12th, 2021

The Spartans got back to winning ways as a Blair Henderson hat-trick guided Dougie Samuel’s side to a 5-2 victory over Dalbeattie Star at Ainslie Park.

With Mikey Allan out for a up to 8 weeks following injury against Rangers B, the gaffer made changes to the defence with Scott Maxwell in from the start, along with teenager Finn Robson who slotted into midfield.

Spartans kicked off, attacking the cafe end and set out their stall from the off with a wave of assaults on the Dalbeattie defence. A series of corners finally saw Ryan Finnie connect, with his effort seeing the Star keeper fumble under Sean Brown pressure and the ball breaching the whitewash sufficiently enough for the Assistant Referee to race to the half way line indicating a goal.

The second goal came from the same set-piece move, an in-swinging corner kick and Sean Brown this time nipping in front of the keeper to pounce and head into the empty net.

With 25 minutes on the clock, the season of goodwill was in full flow as the Dalbeattie defence failed to effectively clear another Spartans attack and when the ball was headed out towards Blair Henderson by the keeper who drifted to the edge of his box, the big striker casually sent the ball back into the net with consummate ease.

On the half hour mark Spartans were forced into a change when Finn Robson landed heavily and was assisted off the pitch with a shoulder injury, replaced by Gregor Woods.

With Spartans in cruise control, a rare Dalbeattie venture towards the home red zone ended abruptly and from the resultant 20 yard free-kick, Lewis Sloan done what Lewis Sloan typically does and a trademark delivery was lifted over the wall and defeated the flying Blair Carswell to narrow the gap on the half time whistle.

HT: The Spartans 3-1 Dalbeattie Star

Ten minutes after the break, Spartans restored their three goal advantage and it was Blair Henderson once again who came up with the goodies and yes, it was from another corner kick and the hitman left his marker at the near post to deftly nod into the net.

Sean Brown was in the wars and was sensibly replaced following a head knock by Sam Jones as Spartans looked to build on their advantage however it was Star who were next up to try their luck in front of goal, with the crossbar saving the hosts.

That fifth Spartans goal did come and it was Blair Henderson on hand to secure his hat-trick. A long ball up the park by Blair Carswell came to the feet of Jamie Dishington who squared to Henderson in the box, for him to slide home to make it 5-1.

From the restart, Star rounded up the scoring with a nine pass move without a Spartans player touching the ball and it was headed home.

FT: The Spartans 5-2 Dalbeattie Star

Malt and Hops Man of the Match : Blair Henderson