Hutchie secure more silver for ever-expanding cabinet

Spartans started the match well but Hutchie’s flair players gradually began to take control as the 70 minutes progressed and the score could have been greater if it hadn’t been for some wasteful finishing.

Hutchison Vale coach Alan McConnell said: “The boys worked hard and did well. It was a bit of a scrappy game but we created quite a few chances. Spartans have improved since the beginning of the season but we worked hard to get the result.”

It was indeed Spartans who looked the more promising side within the opening exchanges, but they suffered a severe setback as Hutchie took the lead against the run of play after 12 minutes.

Euan McGuire’s precise defence splitting pass freed Fareid Yassein and the striker was able to hold off Sean McCorkindale before slotting beyond goalkeeper Ewan Page.

The goal certainly appeared to reignite the passion amongst the Hutchie players and they began to dominate proceedings, particularly in the midfield area of the park.

They could have added to their lead when Harry Girdwood’s inviting cross only required the slightest of touches to prod home but no Hutchie player was there to capitalise. Then, Yassein thought he’d done enough to score but his chipped effort went agonisingly wide after spotting Page off his goal line.

Jamie Docherty’s controlled volley proved an easy catch for Page just after the restart as Hutchie continued to press forward, but the score so easily could have been all square shortly after.

Keiran Pirie’s free-kick deep inside Hutchie territory was whipped in with great accuracy, and with Mitchell failing to claim, it appeared as if the ball would creep in at the far post but somehow trickled inches wide. Good wing-play again from Girdwood then created an opportunity for Robbie Polson, but the No. 11 couldn’t quite wrap his foot round the ball and knocked it wide of the target.

Girdwood then got the goal his play deserved, a fast move involving Lewis Hall and McGuire had the latter driving into the box and crossed for the unmarked Girdwood to dispatch into the back of the net to put Hutchie two up.

Spartans tried to respond but the Hutchie defence were controlled and allowed little through their strong rearguard.

Hutchie added a third in the dying minutes as McGuire turned his defender and struck a well-placed left footed strike into the bottom corner.

Spartans FC Reds’ Kenny Mackenzie offered no complaints about the result and felt Hutchie thoroughly deserved their victory.

“We passed the ball around nicely for the first ten minutes but then Hutchie’s usual passing game came into the equation after that. They are a great side so we can’t have any complaints.”

Hutchison Vale: Jamie Mitchell, Brandon Spowart, Lewis Hall, Kacper Balaban, Owen Richardson, Alistair McCann, Jamie Docherty, Calum Watson, Ciaran Fraser, Fareid Yassein, Robbie Polson, Harry Girdwood, Euan McGuire, Dillon Floyd, Fraser Martin.

Spartans FC Reds: Ewan Page, Daniel Healy, Bobby Gibson, Lewis Mooney, Jack Doughty, Daniel Sutherland, Jack Hunter, Keiran Pirie, Marcus Mbewe, Ross Thomson, Aaron McKay, Jamie McIntosh, Sean McCorkindale.