Cove carve out win at windy Ainslie Park

Posted on Saturday, July 18th, 2015

Spartans lost out in their second outing against Highland League opposition in seven days when Cove Rangers earned the share of the spoils at a blustery Ainslie Park.

With the Lowland League season just two weeks away, it was another trialist infused Spartans side, allowing Manager Dougie Samuel a further opportunity to cast his eye over hopefuls to take on Stirling Uni in the campaign opener.

The opening forty five minutes was relatively free of noteable goalmouth drama as a midfield war of attrition broke out with both sides akin to two heavyweight boxers sussing out their opponent, looking for that knockout blow.

Perhaps no Mohammed Ali moment in itself however it was the visitors who landed the first sucker punch with four minutes left in the half.

A cross into the Spartans box fell into the path of Connor Scully who sent his powerful drive past Carswell into the bottom corner of the net.

HT: Spartans 0-1 Cove Rangers

Half time substitute Dean Horribine was close to levelling proceedings ten minutes after the break however Cove keeper Stuart McKenzie was equal to the task and saved from close range.

The Highlanders doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Daryl Nicol benefitted from a lapse in the home defence and his shot from eight yards into the ground bounced over the leaping Craig Stevenson to nestle in the roof of the net.

FT: Spartans 0-2 Cove Rangers