Lowland League : Spartans lose out to Kilby

Posted on Saturday, September 11th, 2021

The Spartans were floored by a Joao Victoria hat-trick as they went down 3-1 on the road at East Kilbride.

Blair Henderson returned to the squad for the trip to K-Park whilst a change between the sticks saw the recent Trialist replaced by Under 20s keeper Miko Komochi who made his senior debut.

It wasn’t the most ideal of starts however for the goalkeeper as the visitors broke the offside trap and despite the teenager scrambling off his line, he was just beaten to the ball by Victoria who poked the ball into the net.

Spartans came close to an equaliser shortly after when Kevin Waugh’s free-kick found Jamie Dishington at the back post. The Malt and Hops Man of the Match headed back into the path of Micheal Bolochoweckyj who hit the deck under a challenge. A shout for a spot-kick fell on deaf ears and play raged on.

A replica set-piece moments after saw Waugh send in another appetising delivery, which Mikey Allan could only head wide.

Aaron Murrell was next to seek an equaliser and his fine turn and strike saw Conor Brennan save well at his near post.

Spartans were forced into an early change when Michael Herd left the pitch after receiving attention and he was replaced by Gregor Woods.

On the half hour mark, the hosts found themselves two goals to the good. A corner into the back post was nodded to the other side and Victoria was on hand to head home.

A sweeping move from the visitors saw Dishington reach the bye-line before squaring to Sam Jones but his shot went agonisingly wide.

Half Time: East Kilbride 2-0 The Spartans

A fast paced start to the second half saw both sides venture into each other’s danger zones and there was a confidence boosting stop for Komocki.

Kilby were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute and it was that man Victoria who stepped up and claimed the match ball, sending Komochi the other way from 12 yards.

Spartans made a double substitution with Sam Newman and Lennon Walker replacing Aaron Murrell and Sam Jones.

It was Newman who gave Spartans a degree of hope with ten minutes to go when he pounced on a rebound following his initial shot being saved and sent the ball under the keeper and defender’s despairing efforts to stop his strike.

Newman then sent in a corner which was head over from Allan as Spartans looked to set up a grandstand finish. He then tried his luck one more time when his turn and shot found Brennan who pushed behind for a corner.

FT: East Kilbride 3-1 The Spartans