Spartans 6 - 3 Heriot-Watt University: Fixture goes ahead but Watt unable to weather Spartans storm

Published on Monday 16 November 2009 09:05

THIS was one of only three East of Scotland League matches to beat the weather but the teams seemed determined to make up the quota of goals.

The visitors started with three up against Spartans' three-man defence, but the plan backfired as the league-leaders raced into a two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes, Dean Hoskins slamming in a superb shot from the edge of the area, before Alex King slid in to convert Gavin Malin's low centre. Robbie Manson's header almost made it three from Kevin Sivewright's cross, but John Falconer saved brilliantly.

The Watt grabbed a goal when Aaron James crossed for Ross Leask to slip the ball through to Erik Thomson, who fired past Craig McGarrie. Spartans reasserted their dominance from the kick-off, however, Ross Archibald combining with Omar Kader to set up Malin.

Heriot-Watt player-coach Michael Renwick replaced the injured Jamie Brown, but Spartans quickly added another two goals as Kader resisted the challenge of Scott Sutherland to fire home, then Malin raced clear on the left and slipped the ball past Falconer.

There was yet another goal to make it 5-2 at the break, an attempted clearance by Dan Gerrard striking Chris Donnelly, who nipped past the defender and steered the ball into the net.

Watt reorganised and made a better showing in the second half. Just before the hour, Ryan Wilkie's subtle pass enabled James to cross and when the ball reached Thomson at the far post, he turned it in to reduce the deficit to two goals.

However, Danny O'Donnell nipped in to prod the ball home from a Spartans corner to end hopes of a comeback.

Spartans: McGarrie, Archibald, Fowlie, Gerrard, Sivewright, Malin (O'Donnell 66), King, Manson (Cassidy 66), Kadir, McAuley, Hoskins (Vinelli 74). Subs: Malcolm, McLeod.

Heriot-Watt: Falconer, Forbes, James, Sutherland, Samuel, Brown (Renwick 36), Leask (Berger 56), Ferrie, Thomson, Wilkie (Wilson 78), Donnelly. Subs: Connor, Saunders.