SPFL 2: Russell double sees points shared with Peterhead

Posted on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

A brace from Cammy Russell saw Gaffer Douglas Samuel earn a point in his 500^th game in charge of The Spartans in the penultimate fixture of the league campaign ahead of the Play-Off Semis.

Spartans remained unchanged from their outing seven days earlier at Bonnyrigg with Under 20s players Josh Laing and Archie Wylie on the bench.

The early action centred around the Peterhead penalty area with Cammy Russell setting the scene with a neat cut inside before sending his effort narrowly wide.

Then it was the turn of Marc McNulty to cause a commotion as he charged down the keeper’s clearance with the Peterhead man just about recovering to save both the ball and his blushes.

Cammy Russell’s spring loaded boots saw his leap up and nod the ball out of Stuart McKenzie’s gloves moments later but in the chaos that ensued, the ball somehow managed to stay out of the net.

Spartans were left to rue those chances when the tourists took the lead in the 25^th minute. Alfie Stewart’s pass finding Hamish Ritchie who dispatched low into the bottom corner.

The home side rallied and Russell continued to knock on the Blue Toon door and eventually he got the answer he was looking for although perhaps with Lady Luck opening the door as his shot took a deflection en route to the back of the net.

The pendulum almost swung in Spartans favour with the interval on the horizon.  Russell’s effort was well saved, the rebound breaking to Blair Henderson however the talismanic striker just couldn’t find a way to send the ball home.

HT: The Spartans 1-1 Peterhead

Spartans were forced into an early second half change with Danny Denholm replacing Jamie Dishington.

Then, a touch of class from Cammy Russell saw Spartans take the lead.  His initial free-kick delivery into the box found Paul Watson who couldn’t direct his header towards goal.  However it was only half cleared by the defender into the path of Russell who sent the return back with interest to make it 2-1.

With a quarter of an hour left on the clock, another change saw Sam Jones swap with Marc McNulty.

Peterhead did have the ball in the net again as Rory McAllister drilled low beyond Blair Carswell however there would’ve been no requirement for lines being drawn to confirm the AR’s decision.

A further change saw Sean Brown and Robbie Thompson come on for Brad Whyte and Blair Henderson. 

Then, in the sixth minute of five added, Peterhead pulled off their eleventy millionth injury time goal of the season.

Rory McAllister looked to find Rob Ward in the box and did so rather fortuitously via the shin of Kieran Watson.  The ricochet allowed him to slide beyond Blair Carswell only for a distraught Watson to have the unfortunate final touch and with that, the spoils were shared.

FT: The Spartans 2-2 Peterhead

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell