Adam Hastings gets ready to pounce to net Spartans winner against Dunbar Utd Colts

There is surely no better sight to witness than a flying winger and those who enjoy watching this kind of football should have been at Inverleith this morning to see it in action. A magnificent second half performance from Matthew Underhill, on the right wing for Spartans Reds, undone a stout visiting defence and paved the way for this improving young side to close the gap on Dunbar at the top of the U13 4th Division.

The heavy rain of recent days had left the bumpy, sloping Inverleith pitch very soft but certainly playable and it was Spartans that adapted best to the conditions by completely outplaying their East Lothian counterparts in the first half. Indeed it wasn't until the 33rd minute that Dunbar had an effort on goal.

Dunbar's preparations had been hampered by two "lost" players including regular goalkeeper Chris Baikie who wasn't able to take his place between the posts until half-time. Antoin Penrose took care of the gloves in the first 35 minutes - and did very well.

The foundation for much of the Spartans' attacking moves was a comfortable and confident defence that refused to simply blast the ball upfield and who were always looking to pass it through the midfield.

However, despite having most of the ball it wasn't until the 17th minute that Spartans properly threatened the Dunbar goal. And on that occasion it was actually Dunbar themselves who almost scored on their behalf. A ball was played in from the right but it was mis-cleared by the Dunbar defence and the sliced clearance was turned away by Antoin Penrose in the Dunbar goals at full stretch to his left.

But a minute later Spartans created a chance for themselves. After some good passing from the back Daniel Brown was released in the left hand channel and he expertly took the ball to the goalkeeper's left and stroked it confidently home from the left edge of the box.

It was no more than Spartans deserved and at this stage of the game Dunbar were struggling to get out of their own half.

Two minutes later and the lead was almost doubled. Again it was Daniel Brown in the thick of things as he broke free on the left, cut inside two defenders and shot inches past the right hand post.

Each time Dunbar tried to play the ball forward Spartans were mopping things up either by clearing the ball out of play or by playing the ball into the feet of a very supportive midfield. But they were still in the game at 1-0 and Spartans would be concerned that they weren't able to convert their dominance into more goals.

They had another chance on 31 minutes when the referee chose to award an indirect free kick in the box for handball as opposed to a penalty. The kick was played back to the busy Adam Hastings who shot towards the left hand corner. The low shot was in turn back flicked on by Rhory Ashworth in the six yard box but Antoin Penrose was alert and saved well on his line.

Two minutes before half time and Dunbar finally managed to put some pressure on the Spartans defence, The ball fell to Dominic Mayo who shot quickly through a ruck of players but it was watched all the way by Lewis Sneddon in the Spartans goal and he saved comfortably.

Half Time 1-0

Dunbar coach, David Souness, rallied his team at half time and could only hope that his table topping side could have a greater share of the second half than they did in the first. The one thing that was noticeable in the first half was a refusal to simply punt the ball from hands at the back with the defence always looking to take the ball from their keeper despite being under constant pressure. This will surely benefit the players in the long run.

Dunbar certainly put Spartans under more pressure than they had in the first half but it was the home side who threatened first with Matthew Underhill surging forward twice in a minute on the right hand side. His first run was matched all the way as he drove into the box by Sandy Northcott and turned behind for a corner. And his second created havoc before being turned away by big Karl Main, who went onto have a terrific second half at the back for Dunbar.

Then out of the blue Dunbar found themselves level. This time it was Spartans who failed to clear their lines properly and the ball fell to Dilan Anderson who lifted the ball high into the top right hand corner to suddenly bring Colts back into this game.

Dunbar were starting to see more of the ball and the Spartans defence looked less assured than they were earlier in the game. Suddenly they were just clearing the ball rather than passing it from defence and as a result they found themselves under more pressure.

But it was always Spartans that looked more dangerous with Matthew Underhill surging forward down the right at every opportunity in a thrilling display.

On 45 minutes Spartans created the move of the game with excellent fluent passing involving Daniel Brown, Rhory Ashworth, Matthew Underhill and Adam Hastings but the referee ruled for offside as the ball was swept home at the right hand post.

But Spartans were always looking likely to add to their first goal and in 53 minutes they got their rewards. Inevitably it came from the right hand side. Matthew Underhill skipped past a defender before driving into the box and playing a low ball across the face of the goal. The cross was turned towards goal by a recovering Dunbar defender and was saved on the line by Chris Baikie. But the ball fell into the path of centre forward Adam Hastings who made no mistake from 5 yards as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net to put Spartans 2-1 ahead.

Matthew Underhill almost grabbed a goal for himself that his play deserved when he again surged down the right hand side, drove into the box and his low shot across goal missed the left hand post by the narrowest of margins.

Dunbar certainly saw more of the ball in the second half but clear-cut chances were few and far between and it was Spartans who comfortably and deservedly closed the game out to edge this tight affair 2-1.

Full Time 2-1

This was a very good game at the top of Division 4 from two teams who will be in the thick of the promotion race at the season's end. Lots of good passing and moving with several excellent individual performances.

Dunbar had good performances from both "goalkeepers" Antoin Penrose & Chris Baikie and Karl Main had a solid second half in the heart of defence. Antoin Penrose (the midfielder) and Dominic Mayo did their best to spring their team to life in the middle of the park in the second half.

Spartans were good throughout with a confident defensive performance from Fraser McKay and Greig DeMarco. Adam Hastings was impressive up front with good control and feet and looking to bring other people into the game. Daniel Brown was similarly busy and wee Rhory Ashworth has a knack of getting beyond his forwards deep into the box.

But The Pink Man of the Match goes to Matthew Underhill. He put in a thrilling second half performance on the right flank with run after run causing problems for the Dunbar back four.

Matthew Underhill