Late goal gives Strollers a point

Posted on Saturday, January 30th, 2010

With the pitch just passing an inspection at 1.30 co-manager Mike Lawson stuck with last week’s starting XI.  We opened very brightly on the bone hard pitch and had three good chances early on.  Robbie Manson hit the bar with a free kick, Donal Henretty fired over from close range and then had a header cleared off the line.

Strollers came more into the game having one chalked off for offside in what was a close decision.  It was pretty even for the remainder of the half which ended goalless.

We took only four minutes of the second half to open the scoring Alex King found Ross Archibald in the inside left position and he slotted it past the ‘keeper…not sure how he ahd moved from his right back beat.  Strollers equalised only three minutes later Allan Dillon heading home a corner.

The game was scrappy but half chances came and went before in the 70th minute Donal Henretty ran on to a through ball and poked it past the ‘keeper.

Strollers were using their height advantage to good effect at set pieces and we looked dangerous on the break but just when it looked like we would take home the points they equalised.  After clearing a corner the second cross rebounded from Chris Flockhart and was knocked into the net by ex Spartan Danny Forbes from close range.  On chances created a draw was a fair result, the Spartans man of the match was Donal Henretty who looked dangerous throughout.

Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins, Gerrard, Sivewright, Manson (Fowlie 76), McAuley, King, Malin (Kader 73), Henretty, McLeod Subs not used: Cassidy, Vinelli, O’Donnell.

The Amateurs game was postponed today.

The Academy is busy again tomorrow with four youth games scheduled plus a friendly between our Womens 1st XI and 2nd XI for their first pre-season friendly.  Andy Murray’s tennis final will also be on live in the cafe/bar.