Lowland League | Unbridled joy for Spartans who canter past Colts

Posted on Monday, October 10th, 2022

The Spartans recorded their third clean sheet on the bounce and make it four successive wins as they defeated Cumbernauld Colts 3-0 at Ainslie Park in Saturday’s Lowland League encounter.

After a gruelling trip to Cowdenbeath in midweek, Spartans welcomed the Colts in a game sandwiched between two UEFA Women’s Under 19s Championship fixtures as the Academy once again hosting International football.

Spartans started the game in the unusual position of attacking away from the Café end and there was almost food for thought for the visitors early on as Scott Maxwell, who celebrated his 200^th appearance last Tuesday, won possession but couldn’t get enough purchase on his shot as he was closed down.

As the weather took a turn for the worst, fans headed for the comfort of the back of the stand with a reminder that it’s becoming time to replace t-shirts with cagoules for footy matches.

In attack Spartans looked dangerous whilst in defence they continued to look resolute with Malt and Hops Man of the Match Kevin Waugh getting in some robust challenges to thwart the visitors.

There was an early introduction to the game for Ian McFarland as he came off the bench for Scott Maxwell who took an knock and was unable to continue.

With just eight minutes before half time, Mikey Allan opened the scoring.  A telling in-swinging corner saw Blair Henderson do enough to make life difficult for the keeper and Mikey Allan was on hand at the back post to tap in from close range.

In a rare excursion into the home box, Colts looked for a rapid response however Blair Carswell was on hand to get down low to deny any hope of an equaliser.

From almost drawing level, Colts were to go into the break two goals down when Kevin Waugh went on a bursting run through the middle of the park.  He shipped the ball to Cammy Russell who whipped in a cross which was half cleared however the talismanic defender had continued his onward movements into the box and powered his header beyond the keeper into the net.

HT: The Spartans 2-0 Cumbernauld Colts

There was an early break in play as Ian McFarland required treatment after be scudded his napper on the thigh of a Colts player in a collision in midfield. 

Not sure what was in the magic sponge but it almost saw ‘Subo’ add a third when his thumping drive from 25 yards narrowly sailed over the bar.

Another pressing move by the home side saw yet another corner sent to the back post, this time finding Jamie Dishington unmarked.  His initial shot was blocked however the Club’s top Lowland League scorer swooped like a seagull on chips to convert the rebound for this 42^nd goal in the competition.

There were further substitutions for the home side, this time unenforced by injury with Josh Laing and Alan Brown coming on for Cammy Russell and Rhys Armstrong.

If Colts task to get back into the match wasn’t already beyond them, it was completely off the table when they were reduced to 10 men after a second yellow for Dylan Tennant.

A late swap saw Mikey Herd give Blair Henderson an early rest and with that, the game came to a close and Spartans moved up to 4^th in the table.

FT: The Spartans 3-0 Cumbernauld Colts