SPFL 2: Keepers on top in blustery stalemate

Posted on Monday, April 15th, 2024

The Spartans and Stranraer played out a scoreless draw in brutally blustery conditions that weren’t conducive for fast flowing dynamic football.

It was perhaps a bit of the ‘commentators curse’ in the match preview that noted the sides had dished up a minimum of three goals in each of the trio of fixtures so far this campaign.  Elsewhere, the commentator was cursed by the t’internet connection – or lack of it – forcing the late postponement of the live overseas feed.

On with the game and an unchanged Spartans side took on a Stranraer side who started the afternoon, rather surprisingly, at the foot of the table.

The visitors – and the wind – were to test the home defence from the off.  Ayrton Sonkur’s first attempt to keep Stranraer at bay saw the ball terrorise the seagulls up in the Pilton sky and swirl behind the defender for a corner!

An early Spartans chance – indeed, one of the few of the afternoon – fell to Cammy Russell who broke the offside trap following Blair Henderson’s perfectly timed pass however he was thwarted by Lewis Budinauckas as he looked to perfect a cheeky wee dink over the advancing keeper.

Shortly after, action was at the other end of the park, with Deryn Lang seeing his effort from close range well saved by the outstretched leg of Blair Carswell.

Spartans were forced into an early change when James Craigen was forced to retire and he was replaced by Jamie Dishington.

A Cammy Russell free-kick to the back stick after the same man was felled down by the corner flag offered an opportunity for Blair Henderson however the header couldn’t be directed below the crossbar.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Stranraer

Arguably the best chance of the afternoon fell to the tourists as Forrest headed back across the box to Armour with just Blair Carswell to beat.  The goalie done just about enough with his frame only for the ball to rebound to the same player.  Thankfully Ayrton Sonkur – the hero the last time the sides met – was on the goal line to chest down the second attempt and Carswell was on hand to regather the spills.

Mark McNulty went on a rampaging run up the touchline before sending the ball in field looking for Blair Henderson.  Old Mother Nature decided to give that ball an almighty gust behind it forcing the SPFL 2’s top scorer out wide and by doing so, offering the visitors to regroup at the back.

Spartans made a couple of changes midway through the half with Robbie Thompson and Danny Denholm replacing Rhys Armstrong and Cammy Russell.

Dylan Forrest clattered into the coccyx of Jamie Dishington via a reckless sliding tackle in the middle of the park earning him a caution in a rare moment of excitement to test out the vocal chords of the 385 who braved the sub-optimal conditions.

A point then for both teams, equally important in different measures, with Stranraer leapfrogging Clyde at the basement and Spartans extending their lead over East Fife to seven points with 9 still up for grabs.

FT: The Spartans 0-0 Stranraer

Malt & Hops Man of the Match: Ayrton Sonkur