Lowland League: Spartans 0-2 East Kilbride

Posted on Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Two second half strikes saw Spartans lose against fellow title challengers East Kilbride in the Lowland League match of the day at Ainslie Park.

Included in the Spartans squad was new signing Guillermo Lamarca whilst David Greenhill became the latest to earn the accolade of reaching 100 appearances for the club.

A dreich afternoon saw the floodlights burn brightly as the eagerly awaiting clash kicked-off.  There was an early appeal from the visitors for a spot kick when Blair Carswell swooped low to divert the ball away from the toes of a Kilby attacker who fell to the synthetic surface under the keepers challenge.

Jamie Dishington was first to test the visitors rear guard with a decent effort, only to find Matthew McGinley equal to the task.

With lots at stake from the outcome of the match, the challenges in an eventful, if not goalless first half, were at times what you’d anticipate in a nervy encounter.

Ross McNeil came closest to breaking the deadlock heading towards the interval when his shot from inside the box hit the crossbar before being hoofed to safety by the Spartans defence.

HT: Spartans 0-0 East Kilbride

Spartans came out of the blocks for the second half with greater purpose about their play however the Kilby defence remained resolute as the hosts looked to break down the stubborn rear guard.

The opening goal came just before the hour mark.  Strachan made progress down the flank before whipping in a cross that was met by the head of Craig Malcolm who nodded home despite the efforts of Blair Carswell to keep it out.

With ten minutes left on the clock, that lead was doubled.  McNeil making headway on the touchline before beating his man and coming back inside to send his shot home.

FT: Spartans 0-2 East Kilbride

Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Stevenson (Atkinson 70), Tolmie, Corbett, Greenhill, Brown, McFarland, Stevens (Allum 83), Dishington, Maxwell (Lamarca 70).  Subs: Thomson, Guthrie, Khutsishvili, Stobie.