Hoppers watch Hovie hit home to earn Spartans a point at Selkirk

Posted on Sunday, March 22nd, 2015

A late equaliser from Alan Brown allowed Spartans to earn a share of the spoils at Yarrow Park against Selkirk in front of a crowd boosted by the attendance of a merry band of Groundhop UK tourists.

In what were glorious conditions overhead for football in the Borders town, it was the home side who carved open two early opportunities but failed to find the net.  First up was Philip Addison who found himself on the edge of the penalty box only to see his sliced effort go high, wide and onto the neighbouring cricket club oval.

Ouzy See was next up and it was the woodwork that saved Spartans as his header hit the post before rebounding across the face of the goal before being hoofed to safety.

Keith McLeod was next to get in on the goalmouth action when he looked to turn Kevin Motion’s free-kick net bound.  Unfortunately for the Spartans legend, his strike went over the bar from close range.

Half Time: Selkirk 0-0 Spartans

With 10 minutes gone in the second half, the home side took the lead when Ouzy See turned the ball home from 12 yards.

Dougie Samuel made a double substitution in the 67th minute, with Jack Beacher & Dean Horribine replaced Craig Stevenson & Paul Sludden as he looked to get his side back on level terms.

Despite the lion’s share of play, the Spartans Gaffer had to wait until the 84th minute for that to materialise. Horribine’s attempt was blocked in the box and from the resultant melee, the ball broke to Alan Brown who rammed the ball high into the roof of the net to equalise.

Spartans pressed for the winner and it took the woodwork to save Selkirk after Horribine’s strike hit the post following Jack Beacher’s penetrating run and pass across the penalty box.

With seconds left on the clock, Kevin Motion collected the ball and from 20 yards out, his powerful drive narrowly shaved the wrong side of Jamie Newman’s post.

Full Time: Selkirk 1-1 Spartans

Man of the Match: Alan Brown