High five for Spartans as students edged aside

Spartans wrote a new chapter in the East of Scotland football history books last night by becoming the first club ever to win all five of the association's main competitions in a single season.

The addition of the League Cup under the floodlights at Pennypit Park caps an incredible season for the side, which under co-managers Sam Lynch and Mike Lawson has lost just three times in nearly 50 matches during an epic 10 months.

And last night's victory - done the hard way after falling behind to a tough and well-equipped Edinburgh University side - demonstrated exactly how the team have succeeded this season.

"We've had a lot of good teams over the years," said Lynch, "but I think this is the best one we've had - they're determined to get the results. Some people think it's straightforward winning leagues and cups, but it's not, and it comes down to the players having a huge determination to win."

"It's great - absolutely unbelievable," added Lawson. "But you wouldn't believe how hard it was to get a team on the park today. We've played 46 games this season, and 25 since March. It's not just the quality of the players that's got us to where we are, but it's their resolve.

"In the first half hour tonight Uni were easily the better side, and when they scored I bet everyone thought there could be an upset. But our response was to score two in two minutes, and that's the kind of mentality the players have shown all season."

The students certainly started the match strongly . A James Craigen free kick forced the first corner of the match in the fifth minute, while a Colin Cameron strike two minutes later was deflected wide of the target. Spartans took longer to come to life, and a 20th minute Dean Hoskins strike brought Mark Tait into action for the first time in the match.

The students found a goal for their efforts in the 29th minute. Jack Beacher received the ball in the box from the right wing and, although he was surrounded by white shirts, he managed to turn and shoot neatly into the bottom corner of the net.

Spartans levelled in the 32nd minute, with Donal Henretty getting the ball to Omar Kader after an untidy scrap at the far touchline. Kader sent the ball goalwards from just inside the box, and with the defence standing still the ball fell into the net. The students had barely managed to take stock when a Gavin Malin through ball released Hoskins on a charge towards goal. Hoskins laid the ball off to Kader, who had been tracking his run and he just had to side step the ball into the unmarked goal.

Kader bagged his hat trick in the 58th minute after heading home a corner flicked on by Henretty.

The students made three changes in response and remained very much in the game. Danny Main's corner midway through the half caused a frantic scramble in the box before the ball was eventually cleared off the line.

However, Spartans sealed victory in the 77th minute. Kader was brought down in the box by Mark Cathcart - a challenge which earned the University full-back a red card - and Gavin Malin blasted home the resulting spot kick.

Jack Beacher produced a stunning finish from the edge of the box to get a goal back for the students late on, but it was too late to deny Spartans their fifth trophy of the season.

"We beat ourselves in a crazy two or three minute spell in the first half," said Edinburgh University Head Coach Douglas Samuel.

"When we made the three changes I thought we then had the initiative and had three or four chances but unfortunately didn't take them.

"Credit to our players, we've had four games against Spartans this season and we've asked questions of them every time, so we've got nothing to be ashamed about.

"It's been an excellent season for us and the players who are leaving the club this year can be proud of their achievements."

Lynch and Lawson meanwhile are all ready to repeat their achievements this season. "As managers we want to do this year in, year out," said Lawson, "We'll be there for pre-season training on the 27th June and trying to do the same again."

Edinburgh University: Tait, Irvine (Cathcart 62), Gair, Main, MacKinnon, Milne (Gray 62), Cameron (Brownie 62), Ward, Beck-Friis, Craigen, Beacher. Subs not used: Muuray.

Spartans: Flockhart, O'Donnell, Hoskins, Townsley, Sivewright, Malin, Kader (Sinclair 88), Manson, Archibald, Henretty (McLeod 62), Fowlie (McGarrie 88). Subs not used: Finnie.