Murrell hat-trick guides Spartans to Scottish Cup victory

Posted on Saturday, September 26th, 2015

Aaron Murrell celebrated his 18^th Birthday with a Man of the Match hat-trick performance as Spartans progressed into the 2^nd Round of The William Hill Scottish Cup after a 5-1 win over Coldstream at Ainslie Park.

After a relatedly uneventful opening quarter of the game, which saw Conner Duthie’s near post flick the pick of the attempts at goal by either side, it took until the 35^th minute for the deadlock to be broken.

A corner from Eddie Malone was headed back across the six yard box by Ally MacKinnon who found Aaron Murrell.  The teenage striker nudged the ball towards the net and despite the valiant attempts of Hagen Steele on the back post, Spartans took a 35^th minute lead.

Much of the entertainment provided in the opening half came from the stand, where the young Spartans fans were in full voice, clearly enjoying their day out at the Scottish Cup.

HT: Spartans 1-0 Coldstream

The second half was more fruitful for Spartans and within three minutes of the restart, Aaron Murrell doubled his sides lead after Michael Herd’s pinpoint cross was headed home by the in-form striker.

Murrell then drilled home from the edge of the box in the 53^rd minute to grab himself his second hat-trick of the season to give Spartans a 3-1 lead against the East of Scotland side.

On the hour mark, the visitors pulled one back.  Des Sutherland found himself inside the Spartans box and he squared it back to Ash Langford who slotted home.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, it was a welcome return to goal scoring ways for Robbie Ross as the substitute’s deft flick at the near post from a corner evaded Chris Watson and there was no way back for the Borders men.

Four minutes later, a bundle outside the box gave Eddie Malone an opportunity with a free-kick and the man who knows a thing or two about Scottish Cup goals tucked the ball neatly into the net to round off a comfortable win which sees Spartans head to into the hat for the 2^nd Round draw next week.

FT: Spartans 5-1 Coldstream

Spartans: Carswell, A. Brown, Malone, Thomson, MacKinnon, Greenhill, Dishington, Stevenson, Murrell (Ross 62), Herd (Saunderson 56), Duthie (Murray 62).  Subs: J. Brown, Horribine, Gilpin

Attendance: 189

Malt and Hops Man of the Match:  Aaron Murrell