Scottish Cup: Early double whammy hits Huntly as Spartans progress

Posted on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016

Two goals inside the opening six minutes from Paul Thomson and Chris Townsley secured Spartans passage into next Tuesday’s William Hill Scottish Cup 3rd Round draw with a 0-2 win over Highland League outfit Huntly at Christie Park.

The game was just four minutes old when the North Edinburgh side opened the scoring after Paul Thomson used his strength to power home a header following a Craig Comrie cross.

It was the ideal start for Dougie Samuel’s side and just two minutes later Chris Townsley nodded home Scott Maxwell’s corner at the back post.

The woodwork then denied Spartans from further extending their lead when Jamie Dishington’s drive hit the post midway through the first half.

Christie Park erupted in the 36th minute when the home support saw the ball hit the back of the net after Napier chipped Carswell. Their cheers were muted however when they realised it had cleared the bar and ruffled the onion bag via the sponsors sign!

Carswell was called into action just before the half time whistle when he got down low to push Duff’s shot round the post.

HT: Huntly 0-2 Spartans

The home side came out of the traps for the second stanza looking for an avenue back into the tie however a resolute defence, spearheaded by Malt and Hops Man of the Match Chris Townsley ensured Carswell maintained a clean sheet.

Fine link-up play between Dan Ward, Craig Johnston and David Greenhill saw Craig Comrie come close as the visitors looked to put the game to bed on the hour mark.

Substitute Jack Hay was next to test the Huntly keeper with a well worked strike from just inside the penalty box. At the other end, Dishington looked to have earned his team a spot kick after being upended in the box by Allan however the appeals were waived aside by the match official.

With the game entering its final stages, the home side pressed with a hope of setting up a grandstand finale however it wasn’t to be their day, much to the delight of the travelling Spartan Army (thank you for your support!) who headed back to the capital checking out their passports ahead of the next round draw.

Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Maxwell, Thomson, Ward, Greenhill, Comrie (Watson), Johnston (Hay), Townsley, Dishington, Stevenson. Subs: Beesley, Horribine, Tolmie, Mair, Gilpin (GK).

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Chris Townsley

Match Photos can be found on our Facebook page by clicking here

Finally, a big thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome, kind words post match and generous Highland hospitality. Top stuff.