Under 20s go top after overcoming early Edusport set-back

Posted on Saturday, December 5th, 2015

Spartans went to the top of the Under 20s League table after their 1-3 victory over Edusport at a wet and windy Ainslie Park on Friday night.

It was the unusual surroundings of the visiting changing rooms for Les Atkinson’s side ahead of the game against the French outfit who are tenants at the Academy this year.

With the inclement weather continuing to batter down across the city, the hardy bunch of fans settled in for 90 minutes that produced four goals and a red card for the ‘home’ side.

It’s was all Allez Les Bleus with only three minutes on the clock when the home side took the lead, much to the dismay of the home bench.

Jonny Grotlin came close to levelling proceedings in the 34th minute when his shot was well saved by the keeper however it took just three more minutes before it was all square.

With his seventh goal in four games, Dylan Tait fired in the equaliser from the right and shortly after, it was a double whammy for the French when Brandon Archibald benefitted from a counter attack to put Spartans ahead at the break.

Half Time: Edusport Academy 1-2 Spartans

In what were certainly season conditions, both sides attempted to put on a display of sorts and the Edusport keeper pulled off a fine save to deny Tait with his 25 yard free-kick attempt.

With 11 minutes left to play, Spartans wrapped up the three points and their four consecutive victory when Johnny Grotlin was let loose on the left to go in on goal to score his sixth of the season and secure the win.

The crossbar was called upon in the 82nd minute to maintain the two goal advantage when a wind assisted free-kick rattled off the Spartans woodwork.

Then, as the game entered it’s final stages, the Edusport No.9 was despatched to the dressing room to beat his team mates to the showers after being shown a straight red card.

Final Score: Edusport Academy 1-3 Spartans