Greenhill at the double as Spartans shoot down Star

Posted on Saturday, August 8th, 2015

David Greenhill grabbed a double as Spartans kick-started their Ferrari Packaging Lowland League campaign with a 4-2 win against Dalbeattie Star at Ainslie Park.

Spartans had the bulk of the early possession with the first opportunity of the match coming in the 10th minute from Aaron Murrell who had Dalbeattie keeper Darren Martin back-tracking to save under his crossbar following a Craig Stevenson free-kick.

The game burst into life in the 20th minute when Murrell, booked for a foul on Maxwell, redeemed himself by grabbing the opener and his first Lowland League goal since his move up from the Under 20s.  The tenacious teenager winning the foot race between two Dalbeattie defenders before slotting the ball low past Martin.

Dalbeattie were delivered a double whammy when Spartans went 2-0 up within sixty seconds of the restart.  Dan Ward’s ball across the visitors penalty box was dummied by Murrell allowing Craig Stevenson time to control before leaving Martin with only one option available – that being picking the ball out of the net.

Half Time: Spartans 2-0 Dalbeattie Star

Spartans further extended their lead just nine minutes after the interval.  Dan Ward’s cross was met by Craig Stevenson who headed down into the path of Aaron Murrell. The striker saw his shot parried by Martin and David Greenhill was first to react to poke the ball home.

Dalbeattie substitute Tommy Muir gave what looked like a glimmer of hope to his side in the 74th minute when he shrugged off the attentions of Paul Thomson to pull a goal back for the tourists.

Two minutes later, Lee Wells made it a nervous final quarter of an hour for Dougie Samuel’s side when he capitalised on a Lewis Sloan corner that evaded the Spartans defence to make it 3-2.

A drop-ball incident that could well have been played out to the theme tune of Benny Hill (kids, ask your parents) saw the Referee attempt to restart the game in the 83rd minute no fewer than three times, much to the amusement, bemusement and confusion inside the Ainslie Park ground.

Then, with a minute left on the clock, David Greenhill restored the two goal gap between the sides when he raced on to a well timed pass from Dan Ward before rounding the keeper and the despairing attempts of a Dalbeattie defender before nudging the ball over the line.

Full Time: Spartans 4-2 Dalbeattie Star

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: David Greenhill

Aaron Murrell was delighted to notch up his first goal for the Lowland League side, “I thought we played well today and perhaps should have had Dalbeattie out of sight in the first half.  Hopefully we can kick on from today’s win and take that into Wednesday’s game against Selkirk.”

Spartans Manager Dougie Samuel added, “I thought we played really well for an hour and if Keith Murray had have taken his chance at 3-0 and it ended 4-0 then I don’t think anybody would’ve complained.  It just shows you how quickly things can change because the goal obviously gave them a lift and then they scored a second another shortly afterwards in somewhat cheap fashion.  It was a bit harem scarem at the end, when in reality it should’ve been more comfortable.”

Meanwhile, in the Borders, Colin Tomassi’s East of Scotland side made it 3 out of 3 with a 1-7 win over Kelso United in their latest Qualifying Group clash.  Andy Howat’s brace and goals from Blair Atkinson, Alex Imlah, Sean Stewart, Chris Anderson and his first in Spartans colours from Ger Rossi ensured Spartans continued their winning ways.