City side see off only challengers with convincing win

Published on Monday 25 May 2009 10:12

Dalbeattie Star 0 - 3 Spartans SPARTANS were crowned Premier Division champions after a 3-0 victory over their only challengers for the title, Dalbeattie Star.

Triumphant captain Stewart Fowlie said: "The boys were very much geared up and desperate for a win."

Fowlie and Dan Gerrard were phenomenal at the heart of the Spartans defence despite Fowlie picking up a back injury only ten minutes into the game.

Spartans kicked off knowing that Dalbeattie had to beat them by at least four goals to deny the Edinburgh side their first title win for four seasons. It was a tall order for Dalbeattie who found themselves under pressure when Kenyan David Etale fired a shot inches wide of the target. The powerful striker then watched in agony as his shot from five yards was somehow turned over the crossbar by Dalbeattie goalkeeper Graham Wright.

Dalbeattie came close when an inswinging free kick from Scott McQuade was met by Jack Steele but his header lacked power and Chris Flockhart saved comfortably. Gavin Malin, Dean Hoskins and Donal Henretty all tested Wright, who was by far the busier goalkeeper, but he had to admit defeat in the 26th minute.

Etale found space wide on the left and his pacey cross found Omar Kader, who calmly tucked the ball into the net from close range. Thereafter the destination of the trophy was never in much doubt, with the new Ainslie Park boardroom its new resting place.

Spartans doubled their advantage seven minutes later when a Robbie Manson corner was cleared only as far as the unmarked Malin who was lurking just outside the area. The midfielder steadied himself and sent a controlled shot low into the corner.

The game threatened to boil over when Etale was given a yellow card for diving and Dalbeattie's goalkeeper Wright was also shown a yellow card in the ensuing melee.

After the break, Flockhart made two brave saves to thwart both Gary Redpath and Scott Milligan while Stewart Hogg was edged off the ball by Gerrard when in a dangerous position. Although Dalbeattie did manage to get the ball into the box, they were repelled at every opportunity by the solid Spartans defence.

Etale did have the ball in the net for Spartans but the referee had already blown for an infringement before Manson saw his 25-yard piledriver rebound from the crossbar with Wright well beaten.

The result was put beyond all doubt 12 minutes from time when Henretty, Manson and substitute Daryl Devlin combined to set up Alex King who rolled the ball into the net from 12 yards.

"We so dearly wanted to beat Dalbeattie because they gave us a thumping at City Park," said Fowlie.

"We have a few players for whom this was their first title success so I am really pleased for them."

For joint manager Mike Lawson, who was enjoying his fourth championship success with Spartans and his eighth overall after another four with Whitehill Welfare, said:

"I have enjoyed this title win more than any of the previous seven because we really had to go the whole way. For players like Dan Gerrard, Omar Kader and Alex King they have had to wait three years to win the league so I am delighted for them."

Sam Lynch, the other half of the management team, added:

"Over the course of a year the best team wins a league and the challenge now is to try to retain it and not wait for another four years. It has been a good season because we also won the SFA South Region Challenge Cup and had a good run in the Scottish Cup."

Dalbeattie still have an opportunity to lift silverware when they meet Preston Athletic in the final of the League Cup on Sunday.

Manager Gordon Holt was honest in his summing up of the game. He said: "We were outplayed – it was as simple as that. Spartans were the far better side on the day. They never gave us a look in. Spartans were more positive than us for the whole match and they showed why they are top of the league. They are truly worthy champions."

Dalbeattie: Wright, Harkness, D Kerr, McMinn (Cameron 46), Laurie, Hogg, Houston, McQuade, Redpath, Milligan (R Kerr 70), Steele. Sub: Ruddick.

Spartans: Flockhart, O'Donnell, Hoskins, Gerrard, Fowlie, Malin (Opilka 83), King, Manson, Etale (Devlin 70), Kader (Smith 78), Henretty. Subs: Hair, Smart.