A share of the spoils vs Stirling

Posted on Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Omar Kader may well have been awarded the Malt and Hops man of the Match today, however the Spartans Academy staff were equally deserving of the award, some of them getting up before 8am to start working on the unexpected overnight snow.

Sadly the snow didn’t clear in time for the Gala v Preston Athletic game planned for 12.45 however the game at 3pm against fellow title contendors Stirling University went ahead, thanks in part to the patience and determination of match referee Barry Cooper.

The 180 plus fans who attended the game in the freezing temperatures were not to be left disappointed either with both sides playing an excellent game of football.

The first half was a fairly even affair with limited clear goal chances but both sides playing some nice flowing, fast paced football.

The second half played out very similar to the first except there were a couple of goals!

Stirling Uni started the second half the strongest and were the first to strike. In the 65th minute a cross from the right wing was met at the far post by Craig Mason who headed home from about 5 yards out.

The game continued in an end to end fashion and as the half went on the Spartans fans were starting to wonder where a goal might come from. Jordan Finnie replaced Donal Henretty as the Spartans bench tried to change things up front and within 2 miuntes we were back level, when Omar Kader fired home an impressive right foot half volley from the edge of the box to bring the game level.

Both sides had chances as the game went on, however neither side could make the most of their chances and the game ended in a deserved draw.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: As mentioned above, goes to Omar Kader, who as well as an impressive goal was a thorn in the side to the Stirling University defence all afternoon.

Team: Flockhart, O’Donnell, Fusco, Sivewright, MacKinnon, Malin, Kader, Manson, Dodds, McLeod (Anderson), Henretty (Finnie) Unused: McTurk, Seeley, Grant