Under 20s: Tynie toppled in Qualifying League tie

Posted on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016

Les Atkinson’s Under 20s made it two wins out of two in their Qualifying League Section after Johnny Grotlin, Harry Girdwood and Matt Brady netted in a 1-3 win across the capital against Tynecastle.

Looking resplendent in their new kit, complete with the Spartans Academy’s #hereforgood hashtag emblazoned across the chest, the youngsters entered the Saughton cage keen to build on their opening group win against Edinburgh City.

After an indifferent start from both sides on the tired looking 3G surface, Spartans took the lead after a quarter of an hour.  A bursting run by Anthony Laing from inside the Tynecastle half took the home defence by surprise and he was abruptly halted in his prime as he entered the 18 yard box.  Up stepped Johnny Grotlin to dispatch the spot kick with aplomb.

A spate of niggling fouls matched by a plethora of free-kicks threatened to spoil what had the potential makings of a decent battle between two talented sides in a first half played with passion and determination from everyone involved.

As the game raged towards the interval, it was Laing once again who was the Tynie terroriser, this time he could only manage to chip the keeper and watch his effort go wide, with Grotlin looking for the scraps in the middle of the box.

HT: Tynecastle 0-1 Spartans

As temperatures dipped in the capital, Spartans were determined to keep the heat on their hosts and it was on the hour that they doubled their lead.

Harry Girdwood collecting the ball in the box before twisting and turning enough to leave his markers in a spin before despatching beyond Robert Watt to add to Grotlin’s opener.

To Tynecastle’s credit, they refused to buckle and it was dangerman Sonny Swanson who looked the most likely to throw his side a lifeline. Thankfully for Cameron Rae in the Spartans goals, he watched on as the latest effort from the man in maroon flew narrowly over the bar.

Midway through the half however, the deficit was halved and substitute Ryan Mayer was the beneficiary of some slack defending to race in to beat Rae and slide home.

The response was immediate.  Girdwood’s fine play in the middle of the park set up Matthew Brady who slotted home from close range and secure the three points.

FT: Tynecastle 1-3 Spartans