The Central Taxi’s East of Scotland Premier Division Champions fielded an experienced team in their first ever fixture against a young Gretna side, before a sizeable crowd at a rain soaked Tynecastle.
Despite earlier speculation, there was no place on the bench for Kenyan striker David Etale, who recently resumed training after suffering injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan, and he joined the supporters in the main stand.
The Spartans fans were keen to make themselves heard, and as the game kicked off, they welcomed the visitors with a rousing chorus of ‘You’re no’ famous any more.’
Both teams created early chances before the Edinburgh side took the lead in the 15th minute under bizarre circumstances. A 25 yard back pass from Ian Cumersky appeared harmless but the highly rated Gretna keeper Ian Mitchell appeared to take his eye off the ball which trickled agonisingly under his foot and into the net.
The former Carlisle keeper redeemed himself a few minutes later however with a superb one handed save from a Kadir shot.
As Spartans controlled the game, it was no surprise when they doubled their lead after 35 minutes, when top scorer Keith McLeod pounced on a loose ball in the six yard box before calmly slotting it past Mitchell.
Spartans continued to dominate and 12 minutes into the second half, striker Omar Kadir, who is leaving the club in the summer due to work commitments scored a contender for goal of the season, to effectively kill the game. After picking up the ball on the right wing, the 23 year old Heriot Watt student dribbled past four Gretna defenders before delicately dinking the ball over the keeper into the far corner of the net.
The goal sparked wild celebration amongst the Spartans fans who sang "That’s why we’re champions" and "We’ve won more than Chelsea."
Even the small band of Gretna fans in the main stand applauded, and it was no surprise at the end when Campbell Ogilvie nominated him as man of the match.
Gretna are a good young team who played well, but it was a great goal from Omar. To be fair, he’s been different class all season - Sam Lynch.
Gretna to their credit did not give up, and Dan Rayson scored a consolation goal near the end, firing a 20 yard shot past Flockhart, but the night belonged to Spartans.
At the final whistle, the Spartan Army chanted ‘We want a pyramid’ referring to their hopes of one day gaining entry to the SFL. Ironically a previous bid was rejected in favour of Gretna.
Spartans now meet Stirling University in the King Cup Final on Sunday and Lothian Thistle in the League Cup Final next Wednesday.
After the game, a delighted co manager Sam Lynch told Inside Left "we are pleased with the win. Gretna are a good young team who played well, but it was a great goal from Omar. To be fair, he’s been different class all season."
Commenting on the Clubs website, fellow co-manager Mike Lawson said: "The game at Tynecastle was a great advert for East of Scotland football with both teams enjoying the surroundings by putting on slick passing performances on the large ”Premier” surface."
Lawson continued: "Gretna are a very good side, probably a better side than our boys anticipated and it shows the growing quality in East of Scotland football that such a quality side failed to gain promotion to our premier league. They are young, play football in the proper manner and along with Stirling University have enhanced our league greatly since joining it two seasons ago. We have now retained our “Big” cup to go with our second league title in a row and the boys deserve all the credit for the attitude and ability they have shown this season"
Spartans: Flockhart, O'Donnell, Hoskins (Fowlie 78), Gerrard, Sivewright, Archibald, King, Manson (McAuley 75), Henretty (Malin 68), McLeod, Kader. Subs: Smith, Vinelli.
Gretna: Mitchell, Rudd, Wood (Hardman 62), Inglis, Black, Cumersky, Errington (Renyard 58), Rayson, Nicholson, Seggie (McMath 58), Carmichael. Subs: Johnston, Nugent
Crowd 500
No comments:
Post a Comment