Spartans picked up their second trophy of the season with a convincing 3-0 win over Edinburgh City in the final of the South Region Cup.
Co-manager mike Lawson said “Sam and I were delighted with what was a very professional performance by our experienced squad at Tynecastle yesterday. Apart from two small spells in the middle of either half where we needlessly kicked the ball away too often, we in the main controlled the game and kept possession of the football. It was a very hot afternoon for both sets of players and the team chasing the ball were always going to have the harder job and so it turned out.
It took Spartans only 15 minutes to open their account when a Dean Hoskins corner was whipped in and Omar Kader got his head on the end of it and his delicate header from close range beat Alan Stobie in the City goal.
City almost equalised on the half hour mark when a Robbie Ross corner was played in and the Spartans defence didn’t clear the danger, the ball landed at Ross Macnamara and his scissor kick effort went just over the bar.
Just before the interval Spartans were awarded a penalty kick when Danny O’Donnell broke down the wing and his cross was blocked by the hand of City defender Ruairdh Scott. Gavin Malin stepped up and fired the ball past the keeper and into the net to double Spartans advantage.
Kader got his second of the afternoon when Ross Archibald went on a run down the wing and squared to unmarked Kader in the six yard box, Kader was left with the simple task on knocking the ball into the net.
Lawson added” The first goal was always going to be crucial and with the game in the balance Deano’s delivery, Towner’s header towards goal and Omar’s flick in front of the keeper were all top drawer. From then on it was always going to be very difficult for the Meadowbank boys and so it proved. Despite the distractions Gavin riffled home the penalty and Omar scored a simple third after the best move of the match. Their is no sentiment in football but I hope City break their cup drought some time soon but only if it’s not at our expense.”
“The Premier League trophy and two cups are now safely at home in the Academy Boardroom and we have two more cups to try to retain. Before that comes three league games in the five days and Sam and I will work out how to juggle our small squad to keep the players as fresh as possible. It won’t be easy.”
Spartans next fixture is tomorrow night at the Academy against Lothian thistle, kick off is at7.30pm.