Allum adds Final oooft under the roof as Spartans lift Football Nation Cup

Posted on Monday, March 20th, 2017

Goals from Scott Maxwell and Ross Allum saw Spartans turn round a half time deficit to defeat Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 2-1 in the Final of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup.

Fans flocked to the Oriam centre at Riccarton to witness the first ever cup final to be played indoors fought about between the Lowland League and East of Scotland sides.

Spartans had the opening opportunity to take advantage in the Edinburgh Derby as Jack Beesley’s cross found Chris Townsley who saw his effort from 10 yards crash off the crossbar.

Then, five minutes later, it was Raymond Carr’s side who took the lead courtesy of a goal of freak proportions.

Sherlock’s cross-cum-shot was simply elementary for the Lothian lad who watched as his floated attempt from out by the touchline sailed over a plethora of bodies in the box and evade Carswell in the Spartans goal.

Dougie Samuel’s side almost levelled with immediate response however it was Swain’s woodwork that once again denied Spartans. Brown injected a turn of pace as he entered the box before unleashing his drive that saw the woodwork wobble.

All that in a frantic opening quarter hour or so under the dome top on the exceptionally wide surface that had been well watered ahead of kick-off, which caused some players issues in staying on their feet.

HT: Spartans 0-1 LTHV

Whatever was in the half time water inside the Spartans changing rooms remains unknown however it injected a degree of urgency from the restart and within 7 minutes they were on level terms.

Beesley’s trickery and pace saw his cut up the line before delivering a low cross to find Maxwell who bravely managed to get in front of Swain on the ground to fire home.

Not sure how much ‘Maxi’ knew of the goal as he was left momentarily motionless and in some pain from the collision that saw both players require a lengthy spell of treatment before thankfully continuing.

It was Maxwell who provided the through ball that split the Lothian defence in the 64th minute to set up Ross Allum to net what proved to be the winner.

A long ball was controlled inside the penalty area by the striker who took one touch before squeezing it under Swain to edge his side in front.

Allum had a opportunity to put further light between the sides with ten minutes left on the clock when he rounded the Lothian keeper however he couldn’t divert the ball home from a narrow angle.

Spartans survived a late injury onslaught as Lothian looked to force extra time and it took a first class save from Carswell at the death to prevent the EOS side from doing so.

FT: Spartans 2-1 LTHV

Spartans: Carswell, Thomson, Maxwell, Herd, Tolmie, Stevenson (Gabiola), Beesley, Allum, Dishington (Comrie), Brown, Townsley.  Subs (Unused) Murray, Mair, Dawson, Gilpin.