Challenge Cup | Slick Spartans beat Borderers

16 October 2022

A match official delayed due to traffic, a sub lino in the stand, three goals and a red card in an eventful encounter at Ainslie Park as Spartans progressed in the South Challenge Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Berwick Rangers.

Edinburgh – built on seven hills and roadworks on all of them – saw one match official stuck in traffic en route to Ainslie Park. 

Impressively, within the 188 crowd, a practising official was in the stand and after answering a call of duty, the game got underway after a twenty minute delay.

When play finally got underway, it was the visitors who had the first opportunity at goal, but Allan’s shot was well saved by Carswell.

Next up saw Jamie Penker with a half chance, but his header didn’t have the power to trouble the Berwick keeper and was easily gathered.

Sean Brown was next to try his luck after robbing a defender at the edge of the box, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Whilst there was roadblocks for one official to attend with, it was becoming one-way traffic on the park and Mikey Allan was next up to watch his effort saved at the near post and put behind for a corner.

Finally, Spartans got the breakthrough. A thunderous half-volley from Rhys Armstrong left the goalkeeper with nothing much to do other than collect the ball from the back of the net.

HT: The Spartans 1-0 Berwick Rangers 

The visitors had a free kick that was sent into the home box and it required a strong fist from Blair Carswell to put the ball to safety.

A triple substitution for Spartans saw Woods, Whyte and Penker replaced by Herd, Russell and Henderson.

A mistake in the Berwick defence saw Sean Brown pass to Blair Henderson who had his shot saved, however the ball ended up at the feet of Sean Brown and he had the easiest of tasks in putting the rebound past Antell to double the lead.

Then, with the game entering into its final stages, Spartans were awarded a spot kick. Cammy Russell’s dash up the park saw his absolutely clattered by a late and unhelpful challenge earning Spartans the penalty and the Berwick defender a yellow card at the same time.

Up stepped Blair Henderson who tucked away the penalty with consummate ease.

Chris Inglis then came on for Malt and Hops Man of the Match Sean Brown.

It truly was a case of why does it always rain on Berwick when a Red Card was shown to Travis in the final stages of the match after an elbow to Cammy Russell’s napper in an aerial challenge.

FT: The Spartans 3 Berwick Rangers 0

The win saw Spartans draw Glasgow University at home in Round 3. Tie to be played on November 19th.

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