Lowland League: Spartans share the spoils on the road against Colts

Posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022

A power header by Bradley Whyte earned Spartans a share of the spoils as Dougie Samuel’s side drew 1-1 on the road at Broadwood Stadium against Cumbernauld Colts.

Under 20s starlet Josh Laing was back in defence whilst his youth team-mate Adam Meek earned a spot on the bench with the replacement gloves.

An early break saw good pace shown by Jamie Dishington up the line.  His delivery in to the box found Blair Henderson who just lost his footing under a challenge before he could unleash a shot at goal.

Cammy Russell then broke the offside trap, hurdled the challenge before sending the ball towards the box and Jamie Dishington who could only look on as he cleared the bar with his effort.

A fine save by the Colts keeper denied Blair Henderson from breaking the deadlock in what was a decidedly frantic opening five minutes.

The tempo for almost the remainder of the half simmered down to a frenzy with neither keeper particularly troubled and the fans in cold Cumbernauld cauldron not having much to clapping to do in order to help warm those frozen fingers.

Then, with the half time oranges on the players’ minds, Rhys Armstrong sent Cammy Russell up the flank, he whipped in a magnificent cross for Bradley Whyte who had time, space and oomph in his header to give Spartans the lead at the break.

HT: Cumbernauld Colts 0-1 Spartans

There was a change at the interval by the visitors as Adam Meek replaced Blair Carswell between the sticks.

Colts looked to get an early avenue back into the game and it took some sublime tracking back by Cammy Russell to win the ball back inside his own half to dent any further progress.

At the other end, Blair Henderson was denied by the keeper and Bradley Whyte couldn’t regain his bearings in time after being bundled to the ground in the build up to send the rebound home.

Adam Meek hadn’t had much to do since coming on at the break however he had to look smart to make a decent stop with his feet before an acrobatic Mikey Allan cleared the ball away.

An outstanding big leg out by Josh Laing in midfield denied Colts from going on another venture up the park and from this, Spartans went on the attack.

Jamie Dishington’s cross found Sam Jones in space at the back post but he could only direct his header wide of the post from six yards.

Then, in injury time of World Cup proportions, Colts went on one final salvaging mission and after a move from defence to attack, the cross from out wide was nodded back across the face of Adam Meek who, despite an outstretched arm, couldn’t reach the ball which found it’s way into the back of the net to levelled proceedings at the death.

FT: Cumbernauld Colts 1-1 Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Kieran Watson