Les Atkinson’s Under 20s progressed in the League Cup after a 4-1 victory over Tranent on Friday evening.

After initial confusion over kick-off times, the game got underway with the hosts keen to make amends at the first time of asking following the 7-0 defeat at Ainslie Park in the opening game of the Development League season.

That took a dent in the 19^th minute when Spartans took the lead.  James Clare’s free-kick from the right hand side took a deflection off the Tranent defensive wall, deceiving the keeper and landing in the net. It was Clare’s fourth goal in five competitive games this season, a decent return from the defender so far.

It was the only goal of a first half where the visitors weren’t shy at making advances to extend their lead however a relatively resolute home defence ensured the lead at the break was Clare’s solitary success.

HT: Tranent 0-1 Spartans

An eight minute manic period shaped the outcome of the tie played on what could only be described as a bowling green style grass pitch which earned plaudits from the visitors.

First up, Spartans doubled their lead.  Jake Cunningham connected with a corner swung in from the right, his initial header was saved however the skipper swooped like a seagull on chips to fire the rebound high into the net.

That lead was halved in controversial circumstances when Tranent scored direct from a corner.  That alone is not controversial in itself, however added into the mix what looked like a clear infringement on Dan Hart, there was sympathy for the aggrieved on the visiting bench.

However, that two goal lead was restored in the 65^th minute.  A stramash inside the Tranent box finally saw the ball hit the back of the net with Adri Anagnostou being credited with the final touch.

Further light appeared between the sides with fifteen minutes to go.  A long throw by James Clare was flicked on by Euan McEvoy-Folland to Logan Brodie who squared it to Anagnostou and there was no dubiety over crediting the striker with his fifth goal of the season.

The win extends the side’s unbeaten record to 13 – on Friday 13^th of all days…

FT: Tranent 1-4 Spartans

It was the perfect ending to the Under 20s season at New Central Park in Kelty on Friday night as Les Atkinson’s side lifted the Development League Cup trophy after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Stirling Albion.

For several of the Spartans outfit, it was to be one final hurrah in the Club colours, some having been involved with the club from their nursery years.

It was a quick return to Kelty for the North Edinburgh side having ended their League campaign there last Saturday afternoon however there was to be no repeat of the sublime sunshine as the grey clouds covered the Fife sky.

From gloom to boom in just three minutes however as James Clare pulled off the most incredible 40 yard strike that couldn’t have been struck any sweeter, with the keeper left with no option than to dive valiantly and watch it whizz past to bulge the back of the net. 

Josh Laing’s early dominance out wide saw him take some energetic dashes up the line, causing discomfort for a Stirling Albion side that were finding the Spartans start difficult to handle.

Given Ndlovu came close before Charlie Rothnie latched onto the ball in the box as it broke free and his fierce half-volley had ‘Destination Onion Bag’ written all over it.  Spartans two goals up inside the opening 11 minutes however the Spartan Army support amongst the 179 crowd have seen these films before!

The game simmered into a mild frenzy shortly after with a lull in goalscoring and understandably, an attempt at a resurgence by the Binos who looked to chip away at the Spartans lead.

When Aaron Cameron broke free late in the half, he selflessly squared to Given Ndlovu on the edge of the box however the talismanic striker maybe had too much too to decide his next move and was unable to trouble the keeper.

Stirling Albion came close ahead of the interval with a period of sustained pressure however the Spartans defence continued to remain resolute and held out until the teams headed to the sheds in the nearby Community Centre.

HT: Spartans 2-0 Stirling Albion

It was almost a double for Charlie Rothnie moments after the break but he just couldn’t extend his leg enough to reach the ball with the keeper coming off his line to close the gap.

Then it was Aaron Cameron’s turn to fire a low drive towards the Binos end and it whizzed past the post on the carpet.

The Spartans defence then decided to make things lively at the other end with some uncharacteristic defending that had the otherwise chilled Les Atkinson up on his feet offering instruction.

Cometh the hour, cometh the further light between the sides and one hand on the trophy.  Spartans making a break and when Captain Sam Coats made his way to the bye-line, he squared it across the face of the goal to find Given Ndlovu who tapped home is 82^nd and final Spartans u20s goal. 

Spare a thought though for Archie Wylie who was credited by the announcer as the scorer.  Close, but no cigars all round.

A double change saw Max Charleston and Kyle McNeil introduced for Wylie and Rothnie.

Into the final quarter of an hour and the metaphorical red and white ribbons were being tied to the trophy after Kyle McNeil sprung the offside trap and pushed the ball beyond the advancing keeper into the empty net to make it 4-0 and spark wonderful celebration scenes.

A triple chance followed before the restart as Andy Kelly, Logan Wilson-Need and Adri Anagnostou entered the fray with Ndlovu, Cameron and Clare retiring to the dug-out.

Despite being a relative on-looker throughout, Rowan Weir between the Spartans sticks still needed to be alert and the goalie, playing in his final game after no fewer than 15 – yes, you read that correctly – years at the Club, flung himself to deny Stirling Albion a late consolation.

FT: Spartans 4-0 Stirling Albion

MintBox Man of the Match: Josh Laing

Les Atkinson’s Under 20s progressed into the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup after a 1-2 win against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in a thrill in the mist at Ainslie Park.

There was only one change to the squad from the one that defeated Kelty Hearts 6-0 in the Knockout Cup seven days earlier, with Josh Laing replacing Russell Brown who returned back home to the USA.

Mackie Scott, who reached a half century of Development Squad goals in that dismantling of Kelty continued to lead the charge up top.

The match kicked-off as a blanket of haar swept in from the Forth, with the neighbouring flats poking out from what was turning out to be a bit of a pea-souper in Pilton.

Spartans launched themselves on the offensive from the off and there was an almighty collision in the box within moments of the starting whistle when the Lothian keeper came off his line to meet Given Ndlovu.  There were muted appeals for a penalty from the Spartans striker, largely due to the wind taken out of his sails after being clattered in the collision between the two.

Home team Lothian, who are tenants at Ainslie Park this season, had an early opportunity of their own but their free-kick attempt whizzed over Rowan Weir’s crossbar.

Tenacious play in midfield by Ben Lamont saw him go on a solo mission towards the box and his mazy run was almost matched by the end product that just whizzed past the post.

Indecision in the Spartans back division allowed the ball to bounce between defenders and this was almost the deadlock breaker however the crossbar came to the rescue as the lob over Weir hit the woodwork before finally being hoofed to safety.

Given Ndlovu was causing all sorts of turmoil in the Lothian box from his corner kicks, with Josh Laing unable to direct the ball home at the back post as Spartans looked to take the lead.

Youngster Rowan Weir, in his first year at Under 20s, pulled off what turned out to be a crucial stop as he kept his composure to time his save to perfection when faced with a one-on-one showdown in the box.  The striker pulling the proverbial trigger however it was Weir who came out on top, sticking out a leg to deny a certain goal.

HT: Spartans 0-0 LTHV

Visibility remained poor at the start of the second half and perhaps that was a contributory factor to the chaotic scenes that shortly unfolded, leaving fans in the stand without the foggiest of what was going on.

A long range effort from a Lothian boot saw the ball hit some part of the goalframe and bounce back into play.  A celebration, perhaps more in hope than expectation, was met by a frenzy of furious Spartans defenders, as the Referee appeared to signal towards the centre circle and award a goal.

The ball had clearly landed on the top of the net and bounced back into the field of play causing confusion in the mind of the match official.  After much deliberation and perhaps a word from a Lothian coach, play restarted from the relative comfort of the Spartans six yard box.

Spartans made their first change of the night with Freddie Wylie replacing Louis O’Brien. 

A free-kick out wide for Lothian saw Rowan Weir look lively at his near post to get down low to smother the ball well, knowing any spillage would have been swooped on.

The same crossbar that had denied Lothian in the first half was to come to their rescue when an audacious turn and shot from Given Ndlovu met the goal frame as Spartans edged closure to the opener.

A brace of further replacements saw Cameron Brincker and Aaron Cameron replace Seb Mrowczynski and Rui Black.

It didn’t take long for Aaron Cameron to make his mark on the tie when his free-kick into the box was met by Mackie Scott who wrapped the shoe leather round the ball to send it low and hard into the net.

A tackle just inside the Spartans half moments later saw play held up as Lothian’s Danny Chisholm remained on the deck in considerable pain from an uncomfortable landing.  After the ball was finally sent to the sidelines, the stricken player was attended to and Academy staff ensured that he was assisted from the field whilst minimising further discomfort.

There were some squeekybum moments in the Spartans defence as Lothian looked to forge an opportunity to get back on level terms however they stayed strong despite the Conference B leader’s persistence.

Then, with five minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Ben Lamont made a run into the box before his right footed shot into the bottom corner evaded the outstretched arm of the keeper to extend the Spartans lead.

Ah, but what about those pesky Lothian kids, eh?  Just two minutes later, a cross into the Spartans box was met with a decent finish that flew past Weir to set up a nervous finale.

Alas, with some double digits of injury time played, it was Spartans who held out to record the win and join Cumbernauld Colts, Maryhill and Stirling Uni in the semi final draw.

FT: Spartans 2-1 LTHV