Spartan Army go cuckoo in Cloudy-land as striker keeps Cup dream alive

Posted on Saturday, January 18th, 2014

Keith McLeod’s 85^th minute wonder strike kept Spartans’ Lowland League cup dream alive with a 1-2 win away at Stirling University.

Spartans travelled to Forthbank Stadium for the first time since 2003 as they looked to secure three points in order to keep their interest alive in the League Cup competition.

The Student’s, under former Hibs, Falkirk and Motherwell midfielder Eddie May, were out of the starting blocks first, with Bennett having to look sharp to deal with a header.

Mark Whatley made the most of a slip in the Uni midfield however his shot from the edge of the box just cleared the crossbar.

Kevin Motion’s corner kicks were causing mayhem with another in-swinger finding the head of John Grant, however Marshall was equal to the task in the Uni goal.

Bennett saw his crossbar grazed by a long range strike however it remained intact as the sides made their way up the tunnel at half time with plenty of entertainment on offer yet no goals to show for their joint efforts.

Half time: Stirling Uni 0-0 Spartans

A tempting cross by Motion flashed past the heads of a trio of team mates as Spartans searched for an early second half goal.

Finally, in the 56^th minute, there was a breakthrough for the visitors.  Motion’s cross was met by MacKinnon on the bye-line and his header back across the 6 yard box was slotted into the net by Danny O’Donnell. 0-1

Not to be outdone, the hosts were back on level terms in the 70^th minute. A corner kick from the left found Jack Nixon unmarked in the middle of the box and he powered his header home. 1-1

With the game venturing into its final stages, Samuel shuffled the pack.  3 substitutions in a ten minute spell saw McLeod replace Anderson, Brown make way for Beesley and Muhsin take over from Motion.

And it paid dividends with five minutes left on the clock.  Whatley made a dash through the middle of the field before pushing the ball out to McLeod.  The legendary striker, who’d been nursing a hamstring tweak, looked up and unleashed an unstoppable drive that whizzed past the keeper at his near post to send the travelling support wild.

McLeod’s phenomenal record continues, with him now having scored in each of his last 13 consecutive outings.  1-2.

Stirling put up a late rally and it took some exceptional defending including a last gasp save by Bennett’s nose to see Spartans hold on and collect three vital points.  Spartans must now win at Whitehill in the still to be rescheduled final group game to make it through to the semi-final stages.

Full Time: Stirling Uni 1-2 Spartans

A hoarse sounding Dougie Samuel spoke of his delight at the result, noting he’d been more vocal on the sidelines than normal, as his men worked hard to secure a dramatic late win.

“We’re absolutely delighted to come away from here with 3 points.  Stirling Uni are a good side and it took a top drawer save right at the death from Scott Bennett to prevent them from grabbing a late equaliser.

“Over the piece, I reckon it would have been value for money for the neutral as in the second half, the game opened up and a bit stretched as both teams were going for it.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: John Grant

Team vs Stirling Uni: Bennett, Mackinnon, Cennerazzo, Sivewright, O’Donnell, Grant, Brown, Whatley, Bremner, Anderson, Motion.  Subs: Beesley, McLeod, Mushin, Beacher, Main.