Under 20s | Haar we go, haar we go… Spartans reach semis in foggy thriller

Posted on Saturday, May 6th, 2023

Les Atkinson’s Under 20s progressed into the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup after a 1-2 win against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in a thrill in the mist at Ainslie Park.

There was only one change to the squad from the one that defeated Kelty Hearts 6-0 in the Knockout Cup seven days earlier, with Josh Laing replacing Russell Brown who returned back home to the USA.

Mackie Scott, who reached a half century of Development Squad goals in that dismantling of Kelty continued to lead the charge up top.

The match kicked-off as a blanket of haar swept in from the Forth, with the neighbouring flats poking out from what was turning out to be a bit of a pea-souper in Pilton.

Spartans launched themselves on the offensive from the off and there was an almighty collision in the box within moments of the starting whistle when the Lothian keeper came off his line to meet Given Ndlovu.  There were muted appeals for a penalty from the Spartans striker, largely due to the wind taken out of his sails after being clattered in the collision between the two.

Home team Lothian, who are tenants at Ainslie Park this season, had an early opportunity of their own but their free-kick attempt whizzed over Rowan Weir’s crossbar.

Tenacious play in midfield by Ben Lamont saw him go on a solo mission towards the box and his mazy run was almost matched by the end product that just whizzed past the post.

Indecision in the Spartans back division allowed the ball to bounce between defenders and this was almost the deadlock breaker however the crossbar came to the rescue as the lob over Weir hit the woodwork before finally being hoofed to safety.

Given Ndlovu was causing all sorts of turmoil in the Lothian box from his corner kicks, with Josh Laing unable to direct the ball home at the back post as Spartans looked to take the lead.

Youngster Rowan Weir, in his first year at Under 20s, pulled off what turned out to be a crucial stop as he kept his composure to time his save to perfection when faced with a one-on-one showdown in the box.  The striker pulling the proverbial trigger however it was Weir who came out on top, sticking out a leg to deny a certain goal.

HT: Spartans 0-0 LTHV

Visibility remained poor at the start of the second half and perhaps that was a contributory factor to the chaotic scenes that shortly unfolded, leaving fans in the stand without the foggiest of what was going on.

A long range effort from a Lothian boot saw the ball hit some part of the goalframe and bounce back into play.  A celebration, perhaps more in hope than expectation, was met by a frenzy of furious Spartans defenders, as the Referee appeared to signal towards the centre circle and award a goal.

The ball had clearly landed on the top of the net and bounced back into the field of play causing confusion in the mind of the match official.  After much deliberation and perhaps a word from a Lothian coach, play restarted from the relative comfort of the Spartans six yard box.

Spartans made their first change of the night with Freddie Wylie replacing Louis O’Brien. 

A free-kick out wide for Lothian saw Rowan Weir look lively at his near post to get down low to smother the ball well, knowing any spillage would have been swooped on.

The same crossbar that had denied Lothian in the first half was to come to their rescue when an audacious turn and shot from Given Ndlovu met the goal frame as Spartans edged closure to the opener.

A brace of further replacements saw Cameron Brincker and Aaron Cameron replace Seb Mrowczynski and Rui Black.

It didn’t take long for Aaron Cameron to make his mark on the tie when his free-kick into the box was met by Mackie Scott who wrapped the shoe leather round the ball to send it low and hard into the net.

A tackle just inside the Spartans half moments later saw play held up as Lothian’s Danny Chisholm remained on the deck in considerable pain from an uncomfortable landing.  After the ball was finally sent to the sidelines, the stricken player was attended to and Academy staff ensured that he was assisted from the field whilst minimising further discomfort.

There were some squeekybum moments in the Spartans defence as Lothian looked to forge an opportunity to get back on level terms however they stayed strong despite the Conference B leader’s persistence.

Then, with five minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Ben Lamont made a run into the box before his right footed shot into the bottom corner evaded the outstretched arm of the keeper to extend the Spartans lead.

Ah, but what about those pesky Lothian kids, eh?  Just two minutes later, a cross into the Spartans box was met with a decent finish that flew past Weir to set up a nervous finale.

Alas, with some double digits of injury time played, it was Spartans who held out to record the win and join Cumbernauld Colts, Maryhill and Stirling Uni in the semi final draw.

FT: Spartans 2-1 LTHV