A Blair Henderson hat-trick helped Spartans hit Dalbeattie Star for six in Saturday’s Lowland League clash at Ainslie Park.
With four fixtures in ten days and a treatment room resembling the Royal Infirmary’s A&E on a Saturday night, there were shuffles in the line-up and no fewer than five of the Under 20s squad who had been victorious the previous evening were on the bench, whilst there was a welcome return to the starting line-up for Scott Maxwell.
In a day where no-one could have dressed correctly for the Scottish autumnal conditions, it was a decidedly soggy start to the game and with the rain battering off the stand roof where the supporters congregated in order to shelter from the Pilton monsoon.
Star goalie McCready was to be a busy fellow and his early saves from Rhys Armstrong and Jamie Penker showing Spartans intent to build on the midweek win against Shire.
Cammy Russell also had an effort stopped as he weaved in and out the Dalbeattie defence eager to open the scoring.
That elusive strike came from the resultant corner when Kevin Waugh was on hand to head home from the closest of ranges to put the hosts in front.
The scoreboard ticked over shortly after when Cammy Russell put in some great work down the left flank and his low cross was met at the near post and dispatched by Blair Henderson.
HT: The Spartans 2-0 Dalbeattie Star
Blair Henderson tried his luck from fully 30 yards and it had the Star keeper rise to clutch the ball from just under his crossbar.
It didn’t take him long to bag his brace however and the same combo as his first saw Cammy Russell provide and Blair Henderson convert, this time at the back stick.
A trio of changes saw Sean Brown, Josh Laing and Sam Coats take their place on the pitch with Scott Maxwell, Jamie Penker and Ian McFarland earning an early rest.
With kitman Ralph Buchanan on his holidays, we can neither confirm or deny at this juncture if the match ball inventory has depleted by one as Blair Henderson then bagged his hat-trick following a telling cross from Gregor Woods.
It was now a case of when and not if Spartans could add to their tally and Jamie Dishington came up with a fifth as the hosts threatened to run riot.
Blair Carswell made one of his few saves in what was a good day at the office for the goalie, earning another clean sheet in the process.
A further brace of changes gave Joe Tait and Chris Inglis game time with scorers Jamie Dishington and Kevin Waugh making way.
Sean Brown rattled the post as he looked to make it two goals in as many games.
Then, with the game nearing its final stages, Rhys Armstrong gathered the ball at the edge of the box and slotted home to make it 6-0.
FT: The Spartans 6-0 Dalbeattie Star
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson
