SPFL 2: Blair pair combine to down Blue Toon

Posted on Saturday, January 6th, 2024

Blair Henderson’s second half strike helped The Spartans record a fourth successive clean sheet victory, sending Dougie Samuel’s side to second in the SPFL 2 table in the process.

New signing Callum Booth was straight into the travelling starting XI following his move from St Johnstone keen to kick off his loan in winning ways.

Under a blanket of Blue Toon sky of same colour play got underway on a soft surface due to levels of rain in the vicinity of late.

Spartans were on the front foot from the off however their aerial launches into the box failed to stick and were scooped up by the home defence with relative ease.

A counter from the tourists saw Rhys Armstrong go for a wander through the middle of the park before shipping out wide.  The ball was then sent into the box, beyond Blair Henderson into the path of Cammy Russell who shot narrowly beyond the far post.

Armstrong found himself shortly after on the edge of the penalty area after Henderson managed to offload in a busy box however the effort was too central and into the welcoming bread basket of the Stuart McKenzie.

Cammy Russell took a dull one after distributing the ball in back play which was to see him subsequently require treatment.

Meanwhile, Blair Carswell was to pull off one several fine saves, this one diving low to deny Andy McCarthy, not with his gloves, but the boot, from deep inside the penalty box.

HT: Peterhead 0-0 The Spartans

Cammy Russell was replaced by Bradley Whyte at the interval as the former failed to shake off the knock received earlier.

A half chance followed for the substitute shortly after the restart however it wasn’t to be as the fresh legged one couldn’t direct his header net bound.

Another super Blair Carswell in goals save, this time diving at full range to push away a header that looked certain to tickle the onion bag.

Midway through the half, another Spartans change, with Jordan Tapping swapping with Danny Denholm.

Then, with twelve minutes left on the clock, the outcome of the game was to be decided.  James Craigen went on a direct run towards goal.  His perfectly timed pass into the path of Blair Henderson saw the striker break the offside trap just inside the box.  He used his experience and finishing prowess to take time to compose himself before slamming the ball into the net.

Peterhead looked for an avenue back into the game with a double change.  With four minutes left, it was Spartans who made a brace of substitutions of their own.  Sean Brown and Paul Watson coming on for Henderson and Armstrong.

As the sands of injury time filtered through the hour glass of hope for the hosts, Sean Brown used his game management skills to hold onto the ball and keep possession to kill the clock.  This and a final effort finding the welcoming arms of Blair Carswell ensured Spartans record a third win on the road at Balmoor this season.

FT: Peterhead 0-1 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Carswell