Civil Service Strollers climb to second / Spartans are third

Jordan Hopkinson’s strike in the second half was enough to give Strollers all three points in a tight game and stretch their winning run to three matches, following 3-1 and 5-0 victories over Edinburgh University and Selkirk respectively.

Spartans are tucked in just behind their near neighbours in third after they comfortably saw off Dalbeattie Star at Ainslie Park, scoring four without reply. Jack Smith opened the scoring in the first half when he stabbed home from close range following Willie Bremner’s blocked shot.

Dougie Samuel’s side doubled their lead before the break when striker Jason Stevens netted for the third successive game, racing in behind the Dalbeattie defence and drilling past Star keeper Parker .

The hosts made sure of the points just after the hour mark when American front man Steven MacDonald smashed home to add to his maiden goal in Spartans colours notched against Vale of Leithen the previous week.

His second and Spartans’ fourth was pretty much a carbon copy of the third as Ian McFarland set up the big American for a brace to ensure a comfortable afternoon. They could even afford Jack Smith to miss a late penalty, awarded after he was clattered by Parker, who made amends by denying the former East Kilbride striker from 12 yards.

Managerless Whitehill Welfare remain pointless after East Stirlingshire inflicted a fourth defeat in four games for the Rosewell club, losing 4-0 at The Falkirk Stadium.

David McCaughie’s first goal in the black and white had Shire a goal to the good at half-time. Ross Allum headed in a second after the break and a Sean Lally own goal made sure. Allum then added a fourth after Chris McKee’s pass was deflected in to his path.

Edinburgh Uni shared four goals with Edusport Academy after a 2-2 draw at Galabank, with goals from Stuart McNicholas and Santi Kuivalainen either side of half-time.