The Spartans continued their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over East Stirlingshire, a win that saw Dougie Samuel’s side go to the top of the Lowland League.

With the new PA system in place, the pre-match tunes filled the North Edinburgh arena, with Kyle Paterson back in the saddle, no doubt bringing us his tunes following recent work in Ayia Napa!

There was an early chance for the home side after Cammy Russell launched a long throw into the box, but Brad Whyte’s effort was blocked the Shire keeper.

Cammy Russell then sent an angled shot flashing wide of the goalframe before the game turned into a midfield war of attrition, neither side making much headway

Jamie Dishington sent in a cross which was met by Blair Henderson. The striker could only look on as the header rattled the face of the bar before it hit the top of it before going behind.

Then finally, the deadlock was broken. A splendid Spartans move offered Jamie Dishington the opportunity to which in a cross and Cammy Russell lept to head passed the spreadeagled keeper to make it 1-0.

That Honeymoon period was, literally over, shortly after when a low cross was turned in by the Shire man to level proceedings.

A stramash in the Shire box followed when he keeper spilled the ball and Jordan Tapping wasn’t far away as he looked to divert home.

HT: The Spartans 1-1 East Stirlingshire

Spartans took the game to the visitors immediately after the break with Cammy Russell and Sam Jones coming close.

Then, the hosts were awarded a spot-kick however after a chat with his stand-side AR, the challenge was deemed to be a fair one and the decision overturned.

Into the final ten minutes and it was advantage Spartans. A corner into the Shire box was nodded on by Blair Henderson, Mikey Allan tried to get his head to the ball, only for it to hit a defender and when it fell to the deck, the Spartans man was quick to react and he drilled low into the back of the net. Cue scenes!

The drama wasn’t over and when Brad Whyte delivered a pass across the edge of the box, Blair Henderson was tugged back and as he fell to the deck, the Ref pointed to the spot. This time there was no debate and up stepped Henderson to secure the points.

FT: The Spartans 3-1 East Stirlingshire

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Kev Waugh who was presented with his bottle of fizz by former Sheffield United gaffer Chris Wilder.

Blair Henderson was gifted the match ball by hosts Dalbeattie Star as the prolific striker scored a hat-trick as Spartans moved into second place in the Lowland League with a 0-4 win on the road.

Spartans were looking sharp from the off and they were almost ahead with 90 seconds when home keeper Mason McCready’s loose clearance found it’s way to Cammy Russell who looked to return with interest, but his long range effort was wide.

It was like the siege from the Alamo in the opening minutes as the Star penalty box was peppered with crosses, corners and a couple of shots however the visitors were frustratingly kept out.

Cammy Russell’s twenty yard drive had McCready beaten all ends up but the in-form scorer couldn’t add to his tally as the ball crashed off the bar and away to safety.

Then, on the twenty minute mark, that elusive opener finally happened for the Ainslie Park side. A Rhys Armstrong corner was floated into the box and Kevin Waugh was on hand to power his header into the net.

Almost a quick addition moments later when Cammy Russell raced into the box and sent a shot / pass / cross beyond the keeper from the angle but it flashed wide.

The second Spartans goal came in the 36th minute and it was Blair Henderson who latched onto a defensive header intended for the keeper but he swooped, controlled and lobbed the goalie and looked on as the ball eventually made its way into the empty onion bag.

With the half time interval on the horizon, Blair Henderson netted his second of the afternoon. Bradley Whyte saw his effort hit the post only for the ball to rebound into the path of Henderson who thumped it back with interest.

HT: Dalbeattie Star 0-3 The Spartans

A quick turn and shot in the box shortly after the restart by Cammy Russell just didn’t have enough power to land in the net as Spartans set out to start where they’d left off before heading to the sheds.

As the Islecroft pitch began to cut up following the recent rainfall, dynamic passing play was at a premium as the divets offered diversions and first touches were either to control or tackle to secure the ball.

Midway through the half and it was hat-trick time for Blair Henderson. Moments earlier there was a strong shout for a penalty after what appeared to be a clear cut handball in the Dalbeattie Box.

No penalty was the call however shortly after from a corner kick, Jamie Dishington appeared to be dragged to the ground and Referee Michael Williamson pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Blair Henderson who calmly sent McCready the wrong way and made it four.

The next hat-trick was by way of Spartans substitutions with Sean Brown, Sam Jones, Gregor Woods replacing Ian McFarland, Blair Henderson and Mikey Herd.

There was a golden chance for the hosts to grab a goal for themselves after some slack defensive play saw an opportunity arise however the shot was sent wide of Blair Carswell’s far post.

A final replacement saw Alan Brown come on for Rhys Armstrong.

Sean Brown came close to getting on the scoresheet, only for the woodwork to come to the Star rescue once again.

FT: Dalbeattie Star 0-4 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson

A Sean Brown opener and a Cammy Russell double saw the Spartans extend their unbeaten run in the Lowland League to eleven games with a 3-0 victory over Edinburgh University at Ainslie Park.

Leading out the Spartans side were children from Granton Primary School – a first time for the local schoolchildren who also enjoyed a half-time kick-about too.

The hosts took the game to the Students from the off and they offered an early test for the visiting defence and keeper as they looked to build on their midweek win at Bo’ness.

That pressure paid off in the 13^th minute.  A long throw-in was headed on by Blair Henderson and after Rhys Armstrong had his shot saved, Sean Brown was on hand to slide the ball home to open the scoring.

Brown almost doubled his and his side’s tally when a pass from Sam Jones was headed into the striker’s path by Blair Henderson however his stinging shot was tipped onto the bar by Quate in the University goal.  Great football all round that drew warm applause on a cold winter’s afternoon in North Edinburgh.

Cammy Russell then came close before Blair Henderson nodded narrowly wide as Spartans laid siege on the Students penalty area.

HT: Spartans 1-0 Edinburgh University

The home fans almost choked on their half time Bain’s pies as they made their way back to the stand when from an attacking platform, the ball was lost and it took a fine stop from Blair Carswell to prevent an unlikely equaliser for the Peffermill men.

The second half was just six minutes old however when that second Spartans goal appeared.

Some uncertainty in the home defence and a poor headed clearance fell to the feet of Cammy Russell and from six yards out, the man in fine form needed have been offered a written invitation to stroke the ball into the net.

Mikey Allan looked to get in on the goals and his run and half volley had fans on the edge of their seat, but failed to offer the accuracy that would have produced something to dine out on for some time.

The points were in the bag midway through the half and it was that man Cammy Russell once again.  A neat run up the touch line by Jamie Dishington saw the ball move to Sam Jones.  He left the ball for Cammy Russell who adjusted and drilled a low shot in off the base of the post.

The goal was the 300^th scored by Spartans at Ainslie Park in the Lowland League and it’s the sixth league match in a row that Russell has found the net.

Sean Brown almost bagged a brace of his own as he looked to benefit from Dishington’s nod down however the Uni keeper got down low to save well.

A triple substitution for Spartans saw Alan Brown, Ian McFarland and Gregor Woods replace Whyte, Jones and Dishington.

A final change saw Mackie Scott make another 1^st team appearance after replacing Cammy Russell.

One final chance to trouble the scoreboard came late on when Kevin Waugh, on the corner of the penalty box, delivered a free-kick that was looking good for the top corner, only for the keeper to spoil the party and push behind for a corner.

FT: Spartans 3-0 Edinburgh University

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell