Under 20s: Dawson is spot-on as Spartans reach Challenge Cup Semi Final

Posted on Sunday, April 9th, 2017

Spartans Under 20s progressed to the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup on Friday night after defeating Cumbernauld Colts in both legs to progress on aggregate.

With a plethora of fixtures in such a short window, player wear and tear and unavailability meant both sides met for the second leg with depleted squads on offer to both coaching teams.  For Spartans, it meant a return to the sticks for Jordan Pettigrew whilst Callum Wales and Owen Logan earned a place each on the bench.

The late sunsets meant supporters were treated to a bright opening both overhead and on the pitch, in particular from Calum O’Neil who went on a prolonged run after terrier-like tenacity to win back the ball in midfield.

Adam Corbett was next to make a menace of himself, with a solid leap in the box, only to see his header hit the roof of the net.  Unfortunately for the Captain, it was on top rather than underneath.

On the half hour mark Colts came within an inch of levelling proceedings overall.  A combination of some fine shot-stopping from Pettigrew and a goal-line clearance from Lewis Grant kept the Colts at bay.

That double effort was to prove crucial.

A long ball behind the visitors defence saw Mikey Allan head on towards goal, only for him to be the Spartan between the Cumbernauld sandwich as the Colts keeper clattered him with their Captain in close proximity too.  It was the easiest decision any Referee will have to make this season and up stepped Cameron Dawson to send the keeper the wrong way to extend Spartans two-legged lead.

HT: Spartans 1-0 Cumbernauld Colts (3-1)

The second half was, at best, one for the purists.  The match ball took and almighty battering throughout the forty five minutes and has been retired to the home for knackered balls.

Spartans made two substitutions in the half, Logan replacing Corbett and Wales coming on for Clark.

FT: Spartans 1-0 Cumbernauld Colts (3-1 on aggregate)