Geosonic Lowland League: Spartans rein in Colts with stable showing in Friday night win

Posted on Saturday, August 25th, 2018

Goals from Jack Smith and David Greenhill earned Spartans three Geosonic Lowland League points in a comfortable 0-2 win over Cumbernauld Colts at Broadwood Stadium on Friday night.

Blair Carswell returned between the sticks whilst Academy Graduate Adam Corbett returned to the heart of the defence for a match against a Colts side rich in form and full of confidence going into the game.

It didn’t take long for the hungry visitors to stamp their authority and within 8 minutes they took the lead.  Jamie Dishington was instrumental as he made a break behind the defence before his perfectly weighted pass was met by the trusty boot of Jack Smith who rattled the ball past Jordan Pettigrew from 20 yards.

Spartans had the bit between their teeth and continued to press to seek further light between the sides.  Dishington continued to cause terror in the Colts ranks, penetrating the defence with telling runs, whilst Man of the Match David Greenhill was instrumental with his deft distribution of the ball throughout.

On the half hour mark, it was Greenhill himself who was afforded the opportunity of doubling his side’s lead.  A Jack Smith shot looked to be heading towards the Colts goal, only for the arm of Kirwan to stop the ball in full flow.  Despite the defender’s remonstrations and plea for a change of heart from the Ref, it was perhaps the easiest decision of the evening for the whistler.  Up stepped Greenhill who dispatched with gusto, sending the ball high into the net, with Pettigrew doing well to dive the other way to avoid the thunderbolt.

Colts valiantly tried to narrow the gap ahead of the metaphorical oranges however the Spartans defence remained resolute and the teams disappeared up the tunnel with the tourists two goals to the good.

HT: Cumbernauld Colts 0-2 Spartans

The interval offered no changes, other than the temperature which had dropped dramatically during the break as the sun set behind the stand.

Spartans came out the traps looking to kill the game off.  Craig Stevenson’s free kick found Willie Bremner in the box but his header couldn’t be directed towards the net.  He almost had another chance shortly after when he broke into the box, only for brave goalkeeping by Pettigrew to smother the ball at Bremner’s feet.

The Spartan Army faithful in the stand held a collective breath as Michael Herd went on a mazy run, weaving in and out of the Colts midfield like a slalom skier through the gates on the downhill slopes of Courchevel.  As he advanced to the edge of the penalty area, he opted to let fly, sadly his final effort was no match for the build up play.

Colts keeper Pettigrew was a busy boy and he had to be alert to deny David Greenhill from close range after Willie Bremner looked to capitalise on some dilly-dallying in the home back division.

Couple of Spartans replacements came along as the match entered its final quarter of an hour, with Steven MacDonald and Blair Atkinson coming on in place of Willie Bremner and Jack Smith who both earned a considerable round of applause from the travelling support.

No further goal mouth action to note, it was to be yet another clean sheet for Blair Carswell and three valuable points away from home.

FT: Cumbernauld Colts 0-2 Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: David Greenhill