Pre-Season: Threave squeeze out Spartans in the sunshine

Posted on Sunday, July 11th, 2021

Saturday’s friendly saw a road trip to Castle Douglas to take on our old Lowland League rivals Threave Rovers.

On a warm summer’s day, at the picturesque Meadow Park ground, a nearly full-strength Spartans squad struggled to get a foothold in the game against a hard-working Threave team.

After making Carswell in in the Spartans goal work with a couple of shots on target it was Spartans who had most of the ball but were restricted to shots from outside the box.

Just before the break Dishington had Spartan’s best chance of the half when, after good work in midfield, he was put through on goal. He slid the ball under the keeper into the net, only to see the linesman raise his flag for a marginal offside decision.  

Half Time: Threave Rovers 0-0 The Spartans

With a plethora of half-time substitutions, it took a bit of time for the game to regain its rhythm, however Spartans pushed on after the interval.

Despite having most of the possession and territory, the final pass rarely found the intended target. As often happens when one side pushes, it is other who scores. 

And so it proved as the home team took advantage when Smith was caught in possession near the Spartans box. The home forward took the ball off his toes advanced on goal and fired a shot past the despairing dive of Carswell.

The home team had a keeper in inspired formed and defenders who managed block every attempt on goal, even when Spartans Trialist replacement found a shot which evaded the defenders and beat the home keeper it rebounded the off the bar to safety. This was to prove Spartans best chance in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon.

A few positives however for the Gaffer to take from the game, one of these being the return to action of midfielder Ian McFarland who enjoyed his first fifteen minutes of action in some months.

Full Time: Threave Rovers 1 Spartans 0