Lowland League: Spartans secure title with win over Cowdenbeath

Posted on Sunday, April 16th, 2023

Blair Henderson’s second half strike saw Spartans defeat Cowdenbeath and also ensure his side secure the Park’s Group Lowland League title in front of a noisy home support at a sunny Ainslie Park.

The Spartans Youth 2012’s and 2013’s joined the hosts out onto the park in what was to turn out to be a historic afternoon for Dougie Samuel’s side who made it a record third title.

A win would be enough for Spartans to lift silverware with a week left of the league season to go and an aroma of hope filled the Ainslie Pak ground ahead of kick-off.

The opening exchanges were almost largely seeing the match ball taking a bit of a monstering. You’d be forgiven if it felt like hiding when hoofed to safety for the umpteenth time, threatening to refuse to return, such was the battering the leather object received.

Best chance of the half perhaps came courtesy of a Cammy Russell free-kick that was cleared out of the box into the path of Jamie Dishington who unleashed a thunderous low drive that narrowly whizzed past the post.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Cowdenbeath

The second half saw Spartans shoot towards the Cafe end and they were hungry for the elusive goal that would see them be crowned champions.

Cowdenbeath were certainly effective in looking to execute their game plan, frustrating the home side as they searched for the opener.

Just after the hour mark, Sean Brown replaced Sam Jones as the gaffer looked to bring fresh legs into the game.

Jordan Tapping came close with a header from a corner kick that just edged its way past the post.

Then, with 17 minutes left on the clock, Spartans took the lead. Blair Carswell launched the ball up the park, it was nodded into the box by Jordan Tapping into the path of Sean Brown, his tiniest of touches was enough to give Blair Henderson an opening from six yards that the prolific strikers despatched with aplomb.

Cue scenes in the stands and down by the corner flag where the Spartans squad raced towards to celebrate with Henderson.

For the rest of the game, it was a waiting one for the clock to tick down and those sands of time finally drained away. With the final shrill of the whistle, Referee Calder blew one last time and sent the Spartans into celebration mode.

FT: The Spartans 1-0 Cowdenbeath

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson