Play-Off: Henderson heads Spartans to ‘half-time’ lead

Posted on Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Blair Henderson’s injury time winner saw 10 man Spartans secure a valuable first leg lead against Brechin City in the 1st leg of the Play-Off ‘semi final’ at a packed Ainslie Park.

Some 2020 supporters made their way to the North Edinburgh ground, including the vocal young team who sang their hearts out from the newly opened Newtown Roofing and Building stand.

The home side came out of the sheds to a cacophony of noise and alongside them were the 2016 Brown squad, the youth team named after Ambassador Alan Brown.

Spartans attacked the Cafe end from the off as fans lined all four sides of the ground, unsegregated and enjoying what would turn out to be a game with its share of dramatic twists and turns.

The visitors, fresh from their last gasp title winning victory at Buckie, looked to go on the offensive and it took a Jordan Tapping backtracking tackle to thwart progression.

Cammy Russell then whipped in a corner which would have put a banana’s curve to shame and it left the keeper in two minds before he collected under his crossbar.

A long throw moments later from the same man was headed down by Blair Henderson into the path of Sam Jones at the edge of the box however his effort narrowly went wide.

A pair of bookings were issued by Referee Grainger in quick succession, up first Bradley Whyte for stopping a Brechin charge and then the visiting skipper Euan Spark for another shot at the heels of Cammy Russell.

As one would imagine between two sides on the back of winning their respective leagues, it was to be a close affair and a war of attrition broke out as the game progressed.

Then, with ten minutes left til the interval, birthday boy Kevin Waugh received a card he didn’t want. The man in the middle deeming Waugh was last man after his challenge just inside his own half on Anthony MacDonald denied a goal scoring chance. It certainly offered plenty to chew on over a half time Bains of Stenhouse pie, that’s for sure.

Down to 10 men, a shuffle required within the home tactics and after these were put in place, Mikey Allan failed to shake off an early knock and he was replaced by Harvey Swann.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Brechin City

With a full forty five to play with a numerical disadvantage, every bit of the dogged determination that saw Dougie Samuel’s squad lift the Lowland League title would be tested against their Highland counterparts.

There was an early take for Blair Carswell to settle the nerves and he was called upon shortly after to make a sterling double stop to keep proceedings level.

A flying run through the Brechin defence saw Cammy Russell get into a spot for a shot inside the box. His effort met a mix of glove and post, it bounced out across the six yard box and couldn’t be met by a swooping Spartan.

A collective oooooft rung out across the arena when Kevin McHattie’s thumping drive crashed off Carswell’s crossbar in what was the visitor’s best attempt of the game thus far.

Then further drama unfolded as chief tormenter Cammy Russell looked to make inroads once again however he was unceremoniously taken out by Brechin keeper Lennie Wilson who had raced way out of his box to put in a challenge that saw Russell go airborne and the goalie escaping with just a caution.

Suffice to say it was a decision that didn’t meet the approval of the home technical area and there was a booking dished out for some over vigorous remonstrations surrounding the colour of card.

Rhys Armstrong then sent a free-kick into the box finding Blair Henderson who could only find the side-netting.

Then, deep into injury time, Cammy Russell was pushed to the ground near the corner flag. Rhys Armstrong sending in the free-kick, Blair Henderson rising in front of the keeper to nod the ball into the empty net before wheeling away to celebrate.

After more than six nail-biting, squeekybum additional minutes, one final shrill of the whistle and Spartans had the win. A half-time lead if you will. It’s all to play for in the play-off second leg in seven days time at Glebe Park.

FT: The Spartans 1-0 Brechin City

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson