■Another goal hits the back of the net as Spartans run riot at Fisherrow

Spartans U13's gave a master performance at Fisherrow this evening as they trounced Musselburgh Windsor 9-0. The North Edinburgh side had good quality young players all over the pitch and had too much guile, energy and movement for their East Lothian opponents.

Kris Buchanan was outstanding on both flanks whilst Jamie Dishington ran the show from central midfield. It was an impressive display from this young side and for this club who are slowly emerging as a consistently top side at various age levels in youth football.

For Windsor it was a second half to forget. Up until just before half time they had competed well and I am sure they will be back ready to go again at the weekend.

The pitch at Fisherrow was in ideal condition despite the heavy rain of the past few days as these two sides looked to get their first win of the season under their belts. Spartans had been on the end of a 5-2 defeat to Hutchison Vale in their opening fixture whilst Musselburgh had gone down 3-1 at home to Salvesen.

The opening exchanges saw Windsor take the initiative. Playing with a stiff breeze at their back they looked to take the game to Spartans and saw some early success with most of the initial play in the visitors half of the field. But the Edinburgh side slowly started to win the midfield battle and Jamie Dishington was finding time and space to play some passes whilst on the right wing Kris Buchanan was seeing more and more of the ball.

The first insight of what was to come came in 11 minutes. Stephen Havelin and Kris Buchanan linked up well on the right side of the box with some excellent interplay and the latter brought out a terrific near post save from goalkeeper, Ryan McKinnon.

More good play moments later involving Buchanan, Dishington and Liam McKay left Mark Watt with clear sight of goal on the left edge of the box but his shot went wide of the upright.

Spartans were now beginning to dominate and on 19 minutes they took the lead. A brilliant through ball from full back, Lee Horribine, sent Kris Buchanan in the clear and he beat Ryan McKinnon to the ball before shooting into the far corner from an acute angle. Blair Atkinson was on hand to make sure of things but the ball had crossed the line before he touched it.

The visitors were well on top now and any time Windsor found themselves in possession their threat was quickly snuffed out by the excellent back 3 of Lee Horribine, Scott Ewan and Liam McKay. The two good footballing full backs went on to play a highly influential role in this game with through ball after through ball being played from them.

Kris Buchanan had another chance on 32 minutes when he was sent clear but this time he screwed his shot wide of the left hand post. But 2 minutes later Spartans scored a second. A corner on the left was nodded directly into the net by Jamie Dishington. And a minute later this game was effectively over when they made it three.

This time it was Fraser Eddington that was sent clear and he slotted the ball past the advancing 'burgh keeper and just inside the far post despite the best efforts of a recovering defender.

Half Time 0-3

Musselburgh had an early chance to pull one back on 40 minutes when Sean Lloyd made a great run up the left before shooting just past the left hand bar/post junction. It was a rare foray up the "other end" for Windsor.

Normal service was resumed shortly afterwards when Kris Buchanan, who had switched over to the left hand side, scored a fourth for Spartans. A quite brilliant ball was played forward by Bruce Scott and Buchanan slotted home at the second attempt.

That took the wind out of the Musselburgh lads sails and they lost three further goals in quick succession.

First up was Peter Connelly with a sensational strike from outside the box after he had won the ball in midfield. That was closely followed by terrific play  from left full back, Scott Ewan, who showed great feet in working some space before playing in Cameron Armstrong. He played a simple ball across goal for the advancing Mark Watt who swept the ball into the net. And then Kris Buchanan got his hat-trick when he curled a lovely shot from wide left into the right hand corner of the net.

On the hour mark Spartans won a free kick on the left edge of the box about 6 yards from the bye-line. Liam McKay grabbed the ball and curled in a great shot high over the outstretched arms of Ryan McKinnon and into the net for no.8.

With six minutes remaining, Peter Connelly scored a ninth when he ran onto another through ball before dispatching it coolly past the goalkeeper and into the empty net.

This was a great performance by Spartans and one to forget for Windsor. But these things happen at U13 especially early in the season and I am sure the boys from Musselburgh will go onto to have a decent year. One thing all the boys will need to get used to is offside. I didn't keep a tally but reckon that referee Alastair Cleeton must have blown for it on at least 30 occasions!