SPFL Play-Offs : Henderson spot on as Spartans take narrow lead to Peterhead

Posted on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Blair Henderson’s injury time spot kick saw The Spartans edge out Peterhead to take a slender one goal advantage to the Blue Toon this weekend in the semi final of the SPFL 1 play-offs.

It was all change in Douglas Samuel’s team selection from the side that defeated East Fife, with teen starlet Niall Geany retaining his spot on the bench.

A guard of honour was in place for the Spartans squad as they took to the park to warm up, with a plethora of the Spartans Youth kids in attendance, along with mascot Sparry the Squirrel.

Spartans looked to set out their stall early however the visitors weren’t up for offering any scraps to feed off, unlike the gargantuan sized seagulls who were swooping for savouries throughout.

A half chance for Bradley Whyte inside the box was stuck under his soles and this season’s Player of the Year was just unable to get enough purchase on his shot to trouble the keeper.

The ball was subsequently cleared up the park and from there, the visitors took a 7^th minute lead as Blair Carswell raced out to cut down the attack, he was stranded on the edge of the box and with the fear of utilising his hands the wrong side of the whitewash, he was lobbed by Connor O’Keefe and the ball landed in the empty net.

Ayrton Sonkur became the first of ten players booked after an off the ball altercation with Shanks.

Marc McNulty was next to try his luck after determined play by Blair Henderson who made his way into the box to slide a pass into the path of ‘Sparky’ however his effort was blocked.

That reprieve lasted a full two minutes for Peterhead as Spartans drew level.

A long throw from Cammy Russell was nodded into the path of McNulty who once again had his shot blocked. It came back out to Russell who sent it back with interest and it found Paul Watson hovering around the six yard box for a side footed equaliser.

An almighty collision in the middle of the Spartans half saw Callum Booth require the magic sponge as Cagney and Lacey of the physio world in the shape of Sophie and Mairi raced on to offer treatment.

After the mayhem came the inevitable lull in proceedings, save for the odd booking or two as the sides continued to seek an opportunity to get their nose in front ahead of the break.

HT: The Spartans 1-1 Peterhead

If the start of the second half was a cartoon character, it would be Scooby Doo’s mischievous nephew.  Scrappy it was with free-kicks and long hoofs the order of the day, perhaps a reflection as to what is at stake.

Blair Carswell then had to look lively as his legs were called into action to save a fierce McKee shot and the scores remained level.

Midway through the half, the best opportunity since the oranges came when Cammy Russell was unceremoniously hauled to the ground as he raced towards the penalty box.  Up stepped James Craigen who lifted the free-kick over the wall however the keeper was on hand – literally – to scoop the ball away from the top corner destination.

One of the biggest cheers of the evening came shortly after when the Referee went Archibald over Elbow.  In the hilarity that ensured, Ayrton Sonkur clearly decreed that the match official was guilty of simulation and flashed the yellow card that had spilled out of the Ref’s pocket in his direction.  Smiles all round and back to the action we all went.

Jamie Dishington then came on for the industrious James Craigen as the game entered its final stages.

Then came the drama.  Ayrton Sonkur looked to have been cuddled to the ground inside the six yard box from an in-swinging corner, then Blair Henderson crashed the ball against the crossbar.  As the SPFL 2’s top scorer went in search of another to add to his tally, a high boot came close to colliding with his beak, enough for the Ref to decree foul play and the finger firmly pointed towards the spot.

After much hullabullo and a ball booted into a different postcode by the Peterhead keeper, Blair Henderson stepped up and with an air of calmness in the pressure tank of the play-offs, he slotted the ball into the back of the net.

With the sands of injury time almost done in the egg timer of added minutes, the visitors were incandescent with rage following a non award of a penalty of their own.  Frustrations spilled after the final whistle, which came immediately after the incident with the yellow card working overtime.

FT: The Spartans 2-1 Peterhead

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Paul Watson