Lowland League: Lamarca makes his mark with a double as Spartans hit five

Posted on Saturday, February 24th, 2018

Spartans Spanish eyes were smiling in the Scottish Borders on Saturday afternoon as a double from Guillermo Lamarca saw them move into third place in the Ferrari Packaging League after an emphatic 0-5 victory on the road against Vale of Leithen at Victoria Park.

With the title chasing pack all picking up maximum points in their respective fixtures, any potential banana skin moments against opponents littered with ‘well-kent’ faces were extinguished within the opening quarter of an hour.

As early as the second minute, Dougie Samuel’s side showed their intent with Willie Bremner forcing Martin into a transgression with his trickery in the box.  Man of the Match David Greenhill stepped up to send former Spartan Army favourite Ross Gilpin the wrong way.

The lead was doubled by Jamie Dishington who was on hand to turn in Greenhill’s cross that left Gilpin with little chance to stop.

A chance to halve the deficit came midway through the half courtesy of the second penalty award of the afternoon.  Adam Corbett with the foul on Stewart however the Defender’s blushes were saved – as was the spot kick – by Blair Carswell who sent Kerr Allan’s effort round the post.

That miss was to prove crucial as moments later, Lamarca made it three after turning home Bremner’s cross.

A lull in goal scoring proceedings followed and it wasn’t until two minutes before the break that Spartans added their fourth.  Greenhill once again the provider and Lamarca made no mistake with a powerful effort that tested the strength of the pegs.

Half Time: Vale of Leithen 0-4 Spartans

A triple swap came on the hour with the gaffer perhaps with one eye on Tuesday night’s Football Nation Cup semi against East Kilbride.  On came Ross Allum, Dachi Khutsisvili and Ross Guthrie with Bremner, Herd and Lamarca enjoyed the early shot of the showers.

With a four goal cushion and a trio of changes, Spartans continued to press however it was the hosts who built up a wee head of steam with Paterson and Martin coming close.

As the match looked to be heading for a goal free second period, Corbett was on hand to despatch Khutsishvili’s delivery to make it five.

Full Time: Vale of Leithen 0-5 Spartans

Spartans: Carswell, Herd (Guthrie), Brown, Tolmie, Corbett, Greenhill, Dishington, McFarland, Lamarca (Khutsishvili), Bremner (Allum), Maxwell Subs: Stevenson, Thomson, Atkinson, Stobie