Lowland League | Stalemate for Spartans at Shire

Posted on Saturday, February 26th, 2022

Spartans and East Stirlingshire played out a no score draw in Friday night’s Lowland League match at Falkirk Stadium.

Swept aside snow bordered the astro carpet and the temperature was more akin to the artic circle as the sides made their way out of their respective tunnels.

In the Spartans side was new signing Craig Brown from Montrose who joined on long until the end of the season.

An early opportunity for the visitors saw Sam Jones unleash a long range strike which ruffled the roof of the net, sadly on the wrong side of the crossbar.

Play raged on as both sides looked to take control of the game however after two match balls needed to be found in the surrounding environs it was clear that the icy wind was playing havoc.

A Shire free-kick had Jack Newman needing to look lively and the keeper pushed the swirling ball over the bar for a corner.

With the half time whistle about to sound, a Spartans free-kick into the box from Sam Jones found Blair Henderson at the back post but he could only head wide under pressure.

Half Time | East Stirlingshire 0-0 The Spartans

Ryan Finnie found himself in disagreement with the match official when he was pinged for a foul on the touchline. What looked like a good old fashioned shoulder to shoulder coming together saw the Shire man find the deck with consummate ease and earning himself a free-kick which came to nowt.

Fouls were ten-a-penny it would seem and another on Craig Brown saw the newbie unceremoniously clattered. From the resultant dead ball effort, Blair Henderson found the ball at his feet however he couldn’t force it through the plethora of players in the box.

On the hour mark, Sam Newman replaced Allan Smith up front as the Gaffer introduced fresh legs to the side.

Another replacement with a quarter of an hour left, saw a welcome return to action for Alan Brown who came on for Ryan Finnie.

As the game hurtled towards the final whistle, Blair Henderson tracked down an ambitious pass back, but he was initially thwarted by the keeper before his rebounded effort came off a defender and away to safety.

Full Time: East Stirlingshire 0-0 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Kevin Waugh