Dishington double, Groggy Goalie and Lubricated Lilywhites – Scottish Cup Match Report

Posted on Saturday, October 14th, 2017

Spartans hit five without loss as they cruised past Clachnacuddin to progress into Round 3 of the William Hill Scottish Cup at Ainslie Park, in a game that saw a forty minute suspension to allow visiting keeper Douglas MacLennan treatment following a second half save at the feet of Man of the Match David Greenhill.

It was a colourful carnival feel about the tie as a hardy bunch of The Lilywhites fans made the 350 mile round trip in an assortment of fancy dress and made good use of the Café Bar to enjoy the day out in an overcast Pilton.

The match was merely three minutes old before Spartans broke the deadlock.  Blair Atkinson collecting the ball deep inside the Clach half before tormenting defenders one way then another before striking low out of the reach of Douglas MacLennan.

That lead was then doubled in the 14th minute when Ross Allum showed his class to lay off the ball into the path of David Greenhill who unleashed a stunning volley that stretched the onion bag with its velocity.

Play from both teams was frantic and at times erratic as Spartans looked to kill off the tie and prevent any Clach fight back.  Andrew Stobie had to look sharp to pull off a fine save as the visitors, cheered on by their fancy dressed fans, set out to halve the deficit.

Nil gains turned into further pains for the Highland League men as Spartans nudged themselves closer to the next round when a dynamic run by Michael Herd saw the skipper release the ball to David Greenhill who obliged by netting his second, and his side’s third, of the afternoon.

HT: Spartans 3-0 Clachnacuddin

The second half was merely two minutes in when there was some concern for the Clach keeper who dived bravely at the feet of Greenhill.  Prompt action by both camps ensured the stricken goalie was looked after well until the Ambulance team arrived.  Reports from the team bus late on Saturday night suggested the stiff and sore shot stopper had joined his team mates to make the trip back up the A9.

After a forty minute delay, play resumed and it was MacLennan’s brother Paul who picked up the gloves to take up residency between the sticks.  The break in play appeared to benefit the visitors who came out the traps with a degree of renewed vigour.

Jamie Dishington was unlucky when the crossbar denied him from adding to the total however it was his seventy second minute power strike that put the game beyond any reasonable doubt.

The fourth strike killed the game off as a contest allowing for some niggly fouls and agricultural challenges to keep Referee William Watson busy in his post match notes.

Substitute Dachi Khutsishvili went for a run through the heart of the Clach defence and he was clearly annoyed with himself as he found the side netting rather than the inside of it.

Then, with the final kick of the ball, Jamie Dishington added to the tally when he converted a Scott Wilson corner with aplomb.

Following a re-run of the 3rd Round draw, the win meant Spartans will be at home to Fraserburgh in the next round.

FT: Spartans 5-0 Cachnacuddin

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: David Greenhill

Spartans: Stobie, Herd, Brown (Guthrie 64), Tolmie, Thomson, Greenhil, Atkinson (Wilson 62), McFarland, Allum (Khutsishvili), Stevenson, Dishington.  Subs (unused): Nixon, Corbett, Carswell.