Errol Douglas bagged four goals as Spartans progressed to the next round of the South Challenge Cup with a 9-0 victory over Burntisland Shipyard, writes Mark Brown
A number of chances to the Spartans starting eleven saw Iain Thomson make his first full start since returning to the club over the summer. Alan Brown started at right back and EOS keeper Murray Jackson start in goal.
The wind swept over Ainslie Park, making the conditions tricky at times for both sides as the ball behaved unpredictably in the air. A large group of supporters, armed with drums, flags and their voices helped ensure the atmosphere was red hot though as they sang their hearts out.
It took until the 22nd minute to open the scoring when Errol Douglas placed the ball into the far corner of the net from 20 yards out after some neat build up play.
Kevin Motion doubled the lead in the 32nd minute when he lobbed an inch perfect pass over Jordan Mushet in the Shipyard goal from 25 yards out and into the net.
Errol Douglas completed the first half scoring in the 43rd minute with another strike from range, again lobbing the ball over keeper Mushet.
Spartans started the second half with intent and Willie Bremner hit the bar after just a few minutes. It took Spartans until the 63rd minute to find a fourth, Gary Cennerazzo with a fine strike from the edge of the box following a short corner. That goal seemed to open the flood gates.
Keith McLeod headed a fifth in the 65th minute as he got into the end of a pinpoint Alan Brown cross. Errol Douglas had the perfect chance to complete his hat trick moments later when Iain Thomson’s 35 yard strike was touched onto the bar by Mushet, however when the ball fell to the feet of the Spartans strike he managed to hit the bar from 6 yards out.
Douglas wasn’t to be denied his first hat trick for the club however and found it in style in the 75th minute. Shipyard keeper Jordan Mushet did brilliantly to turn a superb scissor kick strike from Gary Cennerazzo round the post for a corner, however from that kick the ball found Douglas on the penalty spot and his over head kick hit the bar and bounced down over the line to make it six.
Sub Craig Stevenson added a seventh only moments later when he found space at the back post to tap home a cross from the left wing, then another sub, Mike Bruce, retuning from injury, added the 8th goal in the 82nd minute. Following another short corner Gary Cennerazzo’s strike was deflected up into the air, allowing Bruce to race in and head the ball beyond Mushet.
Earl Douglas completed the scoring in the 88th minute as he danced around three defenders before round the keeper and placing the ball into the net to complete the rout.
The result equals the Spartans record for a winning margin and ties the margin set in our 11-2 victory over Selkirk last season. We will now host Peebles Rovers in the next round of the cup, due to be played on Saturday 15th November
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