Development League: Spartans fire four past Fifers

Posted on Saturday, August 21st, 2021

Les Atkinson’s Under 20s maintained their 100% record with a clean sheet four goal victory over East Fife under the lights at Ainslie Park.

After a rest week, the young Spartans side were back in action against an East Fife side keen to record their first win of the campaign.

The opening exchanges saw the overseas tourists having the better of the possession only to find the home defence in fine form. 

An early opportunity then fell to the hosts after a neat dink over the top of the back line from Josh Laing found Mackenzie Scott who was set to pull the proverbial trigger but was thwarted by a covering defender making a last ditch block.

It was the same player who went one better in the 25th minute.  The striker collected the ball and sent a powerful left foot shot from the edge of the box that flew into the net leaving the keeper with little to do other than collect the ball after it nestled behind him.

East Fife looked to press for an equaliser but some indifferent finishing and tight back four play from the hosts kept Miko Komocki free from harm between the Spartans sticks.

Sam Coats was unlucky with a free-kick that was cleared for a corner which was sent into the danger area only to be fingertipped by the keeper off the head of Reece Mason.

HT: Spartans 1-0 East Fife

Difficult to say if there were any hairdryers present in the away sheds at the break but directly after the interval the Fife flyers were almost first out the traps, only to see Miko Komocki pull off a point blank save from a header.

It was to prove a crucial save as Spartans then put light between the sides when a great run and pass by Louis MacLachlan saw him find Mackenzie Scott who sent a thunderous effort beyond the keeper.

Spartans made a couple of changes, with Liam Thabet replaced by Ben Lamont and Given Ndlovu coming on for Reece Mason.

Ndlovu, who has impressed during his game time so far this season, had a couple of efforts on goal, one directly at the East Fife goalie and the other drifting wide as the youngster looked to make an early impression after coming on.

Then it was an opportunity for Seb Mrowcynzski who exchanged places on the paddock with two goal hero Scott as Spartans continued to utilise their bench.

The tempo of the game had dipped as East Fife looked for a way to grab a lifeline but only to find frustration in a resolute home defence.

Logan Cameron then replaced Aaron Cameron – no relation – and MacLachlan made way for a Trialist.

Into the final ten minutes, Spartans extended their lead with a move involving two of the second half substitutes.  Ben Lamont with the assist that found Seb Mrowcynzski who despatched with aplomb.

Then, deep into injury time, Given Ndlovu finished where he left off in his side’s last outing with a four for a Spartans side who picked up their first clean sheet of the season as they move into second spot in Conference A.

FT: Spartans 4-0 East Fife

1. Miko Komocki 2. Louis MacLachlan 3. Louis O’Brien 4. Josh Laing 5. Chris Inglis 6. Sam Coats 7. Aaron Cameron 8. Rory Campbell 9. Mackenzie Scott 10. Reece Mason 11. Liam Thabet. Subs: 12. Ben Lamont 14. Ben Uwandu 15. Given Ndlovu 16. Seb Mrowczynski 17. Cameron Logan 18. Trialist