Lowland League |Spartans star sub Dawson downs Dalbeattie at the death

Posted on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

Spartans super sub Cameron Dawson ensured all three points were packed up on the team bus back to the capital following his late winner moments after coming off the bench at Islecroft Stadium.

This time last year, the often postponed fixture continued to fall foul to the inclement late autumnal weather however despite an overnight downpour, an early inspection offered the thumbs up to a match played on a well looked after paddock that, by horse racing terms, had a going of ‘soft’ to it.

Late afternoon sunshine put the bright into Kirkcudbrightshire and a decidedly rare sight for a Spartans trip to Dalbeattie saw a real threat of fine sunshine and blue sky welcoming the teams out for this mid-table encounter.

The teams traded early chances, with Aaron Murrell hitting the side netting whilst an offside trap was sprung at the other end only for the hosts to thankfully may no hay whilst the sun continued to shine.

Spartans were awarded a free-kick twenty yards out after the nifty feet of Alan Brown enticed an awkward challenge. Aaron Scott lifted his dead ball effort over the wall but only into the basket of Vinny Parker between the home sticks.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 32nd minute. A through ball saw Aaron Murrell run onto it and into the Dalbeattie box before he produced a near carbon copy of his effort at Berwick midweek to put the visitors ahead.

Spartans looked to extend their lead shortly before the interval when Scott Maxwell let fly from just outside the eighteen yard box, only for Parker to get down low to save. Alan Brown was on hand to collect the rebound only for his efforts to set up another attempt on goal to be stifled by a Star defender.

Half Time: Dalbeattie Star 0-1 The Spartans

An early opportunity after the oranges saw Murrell once again come up against Parker and the stopper won the latest battle against the Spartans striker.

Ian McFarland was the recipient of a couple of unhelpful challenges and Referee Kirkland’s patience was tested one time too many and a yellow was offered to the latest transgressor.

When Dean Hoskins found himself face down and not looking too flash in the Dalbeattie turf following a midfield tussle, there was a sense of frustration from the visiting bench that play was allowed to unfold. That frustration turned to anger when, from a long ball into the box, the equaliser was scored by Lewis Sloan.

Blair Carswell’s day was one largely as a bystander however the Spartans No.1 had to deploy his cat-like qualities to pull off a crucial save to deny Dean Brotherstone with a quarter of the match remaining.

Then Aaron Murrell was inches away from poking Spartans noses in front when he lobbed Parker inside the box, only for the ball to drop the wrong side of the upright.

With five minutes on the clock, a final throw of the dice from Dougie Samuel saw Cameron Dawson replace Scott Maxwell. The Under 20s graduate has made significant impacts off the bench this campaign so far and his introduction was to be no difference this time round.

Moments after entering the fray, Nicky Reid slipped the ball into Dawson’s path for the super sub to blast past Parker and cue scenes in the visiting technical area!

Like the Wolf in the Three Little Pigs, Dalbeattie threatened to huff, puff and blow down the Spartans defensive door down. Resilience at one end and lots of ball retention in the other corner flag area saw the clock tick away and the game finally come to a conclusion.

Full Time: Dalbeattie Star 1-2 The Spartans