Lowland League | Slick Sean scores winner as Spartans beat Blue Brazil

Posted on Friday, October 7th, 2022

Sean Brown was the Spartans saviour in the midweek trip to the Kingdom as his second half strike saw his side earn the three points in a tricky tussle against Cowdenbeath.

Bradley Whyte returned the bench following his recent spell on the sidelines as Spartans looked to maintain momentum following a couple of useful victories.

The home of stockcar racing had a chill in the air as the sides made their way onto the rare occurrence of a grass pitch for this Lowland League encounter, the first between the sides and only the second visit to Central Park for Spartans, the previous in a Scottish Cup Replay back in January 1991.

Spartans started the hungrier of the two with Blair Henderson putting himself about, causing a nuisance in the Cowdenbeath danger zone.

The game was lively from the off with Jamie Dishington spending some time on the turf as the defence looked for the best way – legally or otherwise – to deal with him.

Dishington was hauled back by former Spartans u20s players Johnny Jarron just on the right side of the box for the home defender who earned a caution in the process.  Cammy Russell stepped up and his free-kick was well saved.

Another free-kick, this time from Rhys Armstrong was inches away from being converted by Cammy Russell as the visitors pushed for the opener.

It was a special moment for Scott Maxwell who celebrated his 200^th appearance for the club however he got one card he’d prefer to have not had, that being a yellow from the Ref.

HT: Cowdenbeath 0-0 The Spartans

Just a few days earlier, the sides produced double figures in terms of goals between them however the game continued to flow with both defences remaining resolute.

Then, with seven second half minutes played, Sean Brown made a dart into the box and his shot managed to squeeze beyond the keeper and it trickled it’s way over the line to score what was the prove to be the telling strike.

An audacious attempt from Rhys Armstrong was up next and his effort wasn’t far away from doubling the Ainslie Park side’s lead.

The evening dampness was making the surface a tad greasy and some of the players looked as if they’d swapped their studs for slippers at the break as they struggled to stay on their feet.

Blair Carswell wasn’t overly tested by the Cowdenbeath strike force however he had to look flash to come off his line and stay big to block a potential equaliser.

The 136 inside the Blue Brazil arena let out a collective ooooft when a long range effort from Cowdenbeath’s Jack Garrad, swerved and then rattled Carswell’s crossbar before the Goalie watched as it dipped behind.  A let off for the Spartans side who knew a draw wouldn’t be of much use to them.

Alan Brown then replaced scorer Sean Brown and it didn’t take long for Hovie to get his kit dirty as he got stick into a couple of challenges out wide.

Cammy Russell produced a cheeky meg on the touchline before working his way infield before sending a cross towards Blair Henderson who headed over the bar.

A couple of further Substitutions for the visitors saw Josh Laing and Sam Coats – two products of the Academy Pathway – replace Dishington and Armstrong.

It was another sublime piece of skill from Malt and Hops Man of the Match Cammy Russell when he outfoxed three Cowdenbeath players in the corner to somehow elude their collective challenges and he was denied by Daniel Farrell’s feet from scoring a wondergoal.

FT: Cowdenbeath 0-1 The Spartans