Allum sends Spartans into League Cup semi final

Posted on Sunday, May 7th, 2017

A second half strike from Ross Allum was enough to send 10 man Spartans into the semi final of the Lowland League Cup after they disposed of East Stirlingshire at Ainslie Park.

The striker’s effort sees his side head to Dumfriesshire next Saturday to take on Gretna 2008 in a bid to reach their second cup final this season.

It was a victory that Dougie Samuel’s outfit were made to fight for with just 10 men for all but two of the ninety minutes played.

Seventy five first half seconds had elapsed before former Shire man Chris Townlsey was back in the sheds after seeing red following his dismissal due to a transgression that saw him dispatched for being the ‘last man’.

Arguably not the easiest of starts for the hosts against an East Stirlingshire side keen to inflict a first defeat against Spartans this season.

Looking to make capital on the back of their numerical advantage, the Ochilview-based side raced forward and Rodgers saw his shot cannon 0ff Carswell’s crossbar.

Spartans rallied and Stevenson was unlucky not to break the deadlock with a powerful drive that had keeper Barclay scrambling across the face of the goal and watch it flash narrowly wide.

Then it was the turn of Maxwell to come close.  Fine work by Beesley allowed Allum to deliver into the box, only for Maxwell to nudge his header past the upright.

HT: Spartans 0-0 East Stirlingshire

Corbett replaced Herd shortly after the interval as both sides looked to forge an opening that would prevent any danger of an additional half hour should the still be locked at the end.

That breakthrough happened on the hour.  Spartans pressed and Allum despatched an effort towards the goal that, despite the valiant attempts of a Shire defender under his own crossbar, found the back of the net, much to the delight of the home support.

As the game entered its final stages, dangerman Rodgers saw himself denied once again, this time by Carswell who produced what turned out to be a match-winning block.

FT: Spartans 1-0 East Stirlingshire

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Tolmie

Spartans: Carswell, Turnbull, Maxwell (Saunderson), Herd (Corbett), Tolmie, Greenhill, Beesley, Allum (Dawson), Dishington, Stevenson, Townsley. Subs (Not Used) Comrie, Gilpin.