It’s three and easy for Spartans in cup stroll

SPARTANS 3

Dishington 28, 64, Stevenson 89

VALE OF LEITHEN 0

A Jamie Dishington brace and a late Craig Stevenson strike were enough to see off Vale of Leithen and send Spartans into the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup last night.

The capital side were simply a cut above their Lowland League rivals and barely broke sweat at Ainslie Park in another assured display.

Home boss Dougie Samuel was forced into one change from the side that secured a last-gasp win over Gretna 2008 in the Lowland League last weekend, injured captain Michael Herd replaced by Jack Nixon.

Blair Atkinson was the hero against the Borders club six days beforehand and the youngster was inches away from giving the hosts a second-minute lead, his half-volley across goal flashing just wide of goalkeeper Ross Gilpin’s left-hand post.

The breakthrough finally arrived just before the half hour mark, Scott Maxwell finding room down the left-hand side before delivering a sumptuous cross for Dishington to steer his header in at the near post from eight yards.

Spartans effectively sealed their place in the next round when a wonderful lofted pass by David green hill sent atkinson scampering through on goal midway through the second half.

Gilpin initially did brilliantly to deny the youngster and although Ian Mcfarland’s follow-up from the loose ball was blocked, an unmarked Dishington was on hand to pass the ball into the empty net.

Jay Stevens tried to salvage something for Vale from a set-play 20 yards out but his wild effort over the bar summed up their lacklustre evening.

To make matters worse, Stevenson showed his opponent just how it should be done from a similar position at the other end, placing a shot around the wall and beyond Gilpin into the bottom corner in the final minute.