Red sky at night, Spartans delight as League leaders win at Threave

Posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2014

Goals from Chris Anderson, Willie Bremner and a top drawer free-kick from Kevin Motion saw Spartans maintain their lead at the top of the Lowland League, with a 1-3 win at Threave Rovers.

As the players arrived to witness a stunning sunset over Meadow Park, the red sky at night was to be the Spartans delight at the end of the 90 minutes that followed.

Spartans looked to bounce back after their penalty shoot-out heartache at the weekend and showed their intent early on as Anderson shot from 10 yards, only to see his effort cleared off the line.

Spartans were making the early running and the home defence was being tested by a series of corners & crosses.  By the quarter hour stage, 2 balls had already been launched out the ground as the Threave defence struggled to deal with the visitors attacking play.

The home side took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute. Goal for Threave against the run of play.  Fyfe collected the ball on the edge of the box and his shot was deflected past Bennett, despite the keeper getting a glove to it before it trundled over the line. 0-1

It didn’t take long for Spartans to level the scoring. Motion’s in-swinging corner found the head of Chris Anderson who nodded the ball home from close range. 1-1

A goalmouth stramash shortly after saw Anderson hit the ball against the post. The ball bounce off a host of legs like a pinball before Brown finally shot wide.

Five minutes before the interval and Threave were reduced to 10 men. The Referee’s Assistant drawing the whistler’s attention to an off the ball incident and Goodwin was promptly despatched for an early bath.

On the stroke of half-time, Parker continued to be the thorn in the Spartans side, this time throwing his body at a Whatley shot & saving once again from point blank range.

HT: Threave Rovers 1-1 Spartans

League leaders Spartans went ahead for the first time just three minutes after the restart. A Motion’s swing & miss (he’s already claiming an assist!) saw the ball break to Willie Bremner who made no mistake from 10 yards out. 1-2

The three points were wrapped up in the 54th minute after penetrating play by Muhsin saw the playmaker taken down on the edge of the box to earn his side a free-kick. Kevin Motion lifted the ball over the wall & curled it high into Parker’s top corner to score a goal worthy of winning any game. 1-3

Jack Beesley replaced John Grant on the hour mark.  He almost made an instant impact after breaking the offside trap, latching on to an Anderson pass but Parker was once again equal to the task.

Parker could perhaps count himself unfortunate for his 70th minute booked after collecting a debatable looking pass-back. The ball was played back to Mushin whose shot was charged down and deflected to safety by the energetic Rovers keeper.

Spartans Manager Dougie Samuel introduced fresh legs with fifteen minutes to go, Cennerazzo & Whatley replaced by Atkinson & Blaikie.

As the game entered it’s dying stages, Atkinson had a strong claim for a penalty after a grapple tackle that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Murrayfield saw the youngster tumble in the box. The Ref  blew hard on his whistle, before pointing to the corner flag.

FT: Threave Rovers 1-3 Spartans

Malt & Hops MOTM:  Danny Main

Spartans XI: Bennett, Brown, Cennerazzo (Blaikie), Sivewright, Main, Grant (Beesley), Muhsin, Whatley (Atkinson), Bremner, Anderson, Motion. Subs (Not Used), O’Donnell, Gilpin.

And finally…… We’d like to thank our hosts for their generous hospitality and supplying us with cups of tea during a cold evening in Castle Douglas.

 


Next Fixture

                     
Date: 02/11/24
Opponent: Peterhead
Venue:Balmoor Stadium
Competition: SPFL 2
Kick off: 3.00pm

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