SPFL 2: Spartans pitstopped by dastardly Dick’s Fifers

Posted on Monday, March 4th, 2024

Cammy Russell got The Spartans off to a flyer however it was the Fifers who came out on top in a frustrating afternoon at Ainslie Park.

With skipper Kevin Waugh nursing a niggle, Blair Henderson took over the coveted Captain’s armband with new signing Marc McNulty taking up a spot on the bench.

The game was only three minutes old when the deadlock was broken.  Bradley Whyte collecting from a Blair Henderson nod down in midfield before delivering an inch perfect pass for Cammy Russell to run on to.  Russell’s pace saw him race into the box before sending an unstoppable drive high into the net.

Spartans looked to double their lead shortly after.  Danny Denholm was felled as he set out on a move to penetrate the East Fife midfield area.  He took himself into the box and was unlucky to only manage to head over.

James Craigen then won the ball before shipping it out wide to Callum Booth.  His teasing long cross into the box was crying out for a connection however none was forthcoming.

Then, against the run of play, the scores were level.  Robbie Hamilton sent in an inviting low dangerous cross and Alan Trouten appeared and nipped in front of Blair Carswell to turn home.  Despite the protestations of the home side that Trouten was offside, the goal was to stand.

A goalmouth stramash was next on the Spartans defence’s agenda and it took a strong double fisting under his own crossbar from Blair Carswell to deny a quick second for the tourists.

It was a tough old encounter out there and Ayrton Sonkur required treatment for a knock to his napper before Rhys Armstrong needed some claret cleared from his nose.

HT: The Spartans 1-1 East Fife

Spartans came out the traps in a similar fashion to the first however they couldn’t grab the same early strike as they’d done earlier.

Cammy Russell’s free-kick into the box couldn’t find any takers whilst the same player put his body on the line to block an effort at the other end.

The pendulum swung in the Fifer’s favour ten minutes after the interval.  A loose ball was swooped upon by Nathan Austin who proceeded to press forward and slot past Blair Carswell in a one-on-one.

Marc McNulty made his Spartans debut replacing Danny Denholm and he was in the thick of the action minutes later when his well weighted cross looked destined for Blair Henderson’s boot only for a defender’s toe to just about do enough to nudge it behind for a corner.

Kieran Watson then swapped with his namesake Paul as Spartans shuffled to seek an equaliser.

A Cammy Russell corner to the back post found a leaping Jordan Tapping who sent his header narrowly wide.

Then, with seven minutes left, all three points were set to head over the Queensferry Crossing.

Shepherd’s shot was well stopped by Blair Carswell however he could only look on agonisingly as Alan Trouten was on hand to tap home the rebound.

FT: The Spartans 1-3 East Fife