Under 20s | Spartans bulldoze Binos in rampaging rout

Posted on Saturday, November 5th, 2022

Les Atkinson’s Spartans Under 20s recorded their largest ever win as they hit double figures on Friday night when they defeated Stirling Albion 2-11 in the Development League.

With Forthbank resurfacing delays rendering the original venue out of commission, the sides met in neutral Abronhill at the Oak Road 3G complex.

A couple of changes from last week’s 7-0 cup win over Thornton Hibs saw the side shuffled a little, whilst defender Chris Inglis moved to LTHV during the week.

The honours were even last season when the sides met with a win each and the visitors were keen to get out of the traps early on to set out their stall.

And that they did.  With just three minutes on the clock, Given Ndlovu raced into the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive across the keeper into the roof of the net.

The hosts looked nervy and uneasy at the back under the early Spartans pressure.  It didn’t get any better when the Ainslie Park side scored four times in just nine minutes.

Aaron Cameron’s shot inside the box was parried away with Mackie Scott doing what Mackie Scott does and he swooped like a seagull on chips to convert.   Cameron wasn’t to be outdone moments later when he latched onto the ball in the box before he rounded the keeper to tap into the empty net.

Louis O’Brien made it two goals in two games when he went on a run away from goal before making a U-turn and thundering home from the edge of the box.  Then it was time for Sam Lovie to net his first goal for the side when he showed neat feet inside the penalty area before knocking in number five.

There was little respite for the Binos and on the half hour mark, Louis O’Brien’s cross was met by the head of Aaron Cameron who nodded home from six yards.

A rare lapse in defence saw Spartans concede in the 35^th minute offering the home side a glimmer of hope.

That was to be dashed three minutes later when an outstanding counter attack saw the flying Russell Brown race up the wing before he whipped in a telling delivery which was duly despatched by Mackie Scott to make it 1-7.

Just when it looked like the half – and the scoring – was edging towards a close, there was remarkably still time for the sides to share further goals!

Albion were up first before Aaron Cameron was felled in the penalty area and Given Ndlovu slotted home the spot-kick despite the best efforts of the home keeper.

Half Time: Stirling Albion 2-8 Spartans

Spartans made a trio of changes at the interval with Max Williamson, Cusiter and Cameron Brincker coming on for Sam Coats, Given Ndlovu and Louis O’Brien.

The second half was unlikely to match its preceding partner and with ten minutes played, no further goals had been scored although there was a save from Miko Komocki and a Cameron Brincker shot that dragged wide.

However, and on cue, Mackie Scott was on hand to head home from a perfectly weighted free-kick by Max Williamson.

On the hour mark Spartans made a further pair of changes with Young and Elliott Miller replacing Aaron Cameron and Sam Lovie.

Despite the plethora of goals, Spartans maintained their composure and arguably offered their most polished and professional performance of the season so far.

That was to be further improved when a cheeky one-two inside the box allowed Mackie Scott to net his fourth of the night and his side’s tenth.

The scoring was rounded off with eight minutes left on the clock and what a goal it was too.  Elliott Miller’s industrious efforts seeing him lay off to Cameron Brincker who let fly from some 30 yards offering the home keeper only one option – to pick the ball out the back of the net for the eleventh time.

Full Time: Stirling Albion 2-11 Spartans

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