SPFL 2: Sparky McPenalty spot-on for Spartans in win over Loons

Posted on Monday, April 1st, 2024

Injury hit Spartans were without defensive trio Kevin Waugh, Jordan Tapping and Callum Booth for the visit of Forfar Athletic whilst there was a return to the bench for Blair Henderson after recovering from a nasty ankle knock sustained at Clyde.

Forfar came into the match on the back of an impressive 11 match unbeaten run and with the tag of draw specialists having totalled 15 in 30 games.

With the threat of a pleasant afternoon breaking out overhead in the capital, James Craigen looked to make hay whilst the sun was shining as he went on an early run towards the Café end in search of an opener.  He appeared to be manhandled on the way however there was nothing on offer from the match official and play swung instead towards the direction of Pilton Avenue.

Danny Denholm was then clattered by Morrison in the middle of the park, much to the Spartans player’s frustration and it earned the Forfar man a yellow card that was to prove costly later in the game.

Blair Carswell required treatment midway through the half after taking a bit of shoe leather to the scone after bravely coming out to smother the ball at the feet of a pressing Forfar fellow.  After a check up from the neck up, The Cat was back on his feet and Mason McCready resumed his spot on in the technical area.

A speculative long-range effort ahead of the oranges from Munro saw the Forfar man look on as the ball continued to rise as it headed towards Carswell’s goal and sailed over the bar.

Half Time: The Spartans 0-0 Forfar Athletic

The second half burst into life ten minutes after the break when Forfar’s Morrison was sent to the sheds after picking up a brace of yellows cards, much to the player’s bemusement as he headed for first dibs on the showers.

The numerical advantage took just eight minutes to bear fruit when Spartans were awarded a penalty after Cammy Russell put on the burners to race into the box, out-foxing Nditi who clipped the heels and the man in the middle didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot.  Mark McNulty stepped up and duly converted to break the deadlock.

With the game deep into injury time, Forfar launched one final attempt to rescue a point.  Henderson and Nditi, who was in the provisional Tanzania squad for the recent Africa Cup of Nations, came together in the box with the Forfar man going down in instalments.

Nothing was on offer from the match officials, much to the bemusement of the visiting bench who vented their frustrations.  Seconds later the final whistle echoed around the ground and as the Spartans support celebrated a hard-earned victory, the visitors continued their discussions with the officials in the centre circle. 

Full Time: The Spartans 1-0 Forfar Athletic

Attendance: 411

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Danny Denholm