Premier Sports Cup: History made as Spartans reach Last 16

Posted on Sunday, July 28th, 2024

Super Sub Cammy Russell was the toast of the travelling Spartan Army come 4.45pm on Saturday as his late strike saw their side defeat lofty Livingston to reach the Last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

A visit to the Set Fare Arena brought the curtain down on the Group E stages of the competition in a winner takes all tie between the clubs who shared the spoils in a no-scoring pre-season friendly a few weeks earlier.

Douglas Samuel made two changes from the midweek win over Forfar, with Danny Denholm and Brogan Walls in the starting XI with Cammy Russell and James Craigen on the bench.

As the pyro smoke seeped out of the home stand, the game got underway in what were perfect conditions for dynamic, fast flowing football.  However, with the chance to top Group E at stake, things started off a little edgy as Spartans looked to set out their stall against the odds-on Championship side.

Half an hour had passed with neither keeper called into action, Livingston with the lion’s share of possession and Blair Henderson forcing a corner as he left fly from outside the box in a chance to counter.

At the other end, the home support must have wondered how they weren’t ahead with a trio of shots in the box pinging off the Spartans defenders and a crucial headed clearance off the line by Kieran Watson.

HT: Livingston 0-0 The Spartans

The second half wasn’t far gone before Blair Carswell, making his 300^th appearance for the senior side, was forced into a trademark super stop when he got down low to deny Matthew Clarke from close range.

On the hour mark, Spartans made a double swap with James Craigen and Cammy Russell swapping with Danny Denholm and Brogan Walls.

Livingston pushed hard as the home support became restless.  Ryan McGowan looked to swoop as the ball rebounded off the post and as he looked to put his laces through the ball from eight yards out, Ayrton Sonkur launched is grand frame with customary bravery and he somehow managed to block a net-bound shot with a corner the outcome.  The no-nonsense defender punched the air in celebration knowing his intervention was as good as a goal at the other end.

The game threatened to be decided by penalties as neither side looked able to find that elusive avenue to the Last 16.  Cammy Russell went on the counter with the break of the ball seeing him progress deep into the Livingston half.  Unfortunately his fresher legs saw him pull away from support and the opportunity fizzled out.

Then, with just five minutes left on the clock, Kieran Watson’s probing free-kick into the box wasn’t properly cleared, arriving at the feet of James Craigen.  He passed into the path of Cammy Russell who was hovering around the penalty spot.  A double pirouette from Russell saw him land up facing towards the goals and his self-described ‘sclaff’ outfoxed Shamal George and trundled into the box.

Cue absolute scenes amongst the travelling support as Russell raced over to celebrate before finding himself under the weight of a near full team pile-on! 

Would Livingston be able to pull it back with the time left on the clock?  Could The Spartans make history by reaching the Last 16? 

A final throw of the dice from the hosts saw them win a corner after Lewis Hunter blocked a Tete Yengi cross.

Defensive, heroic headers from Jamie Dishington then Kieran Watson edged the ball further away from goal, with Bradley Whyte then fouled by Andrew Shinnie as the midfielder completed the clearance.

Moments later, Referee George Calder offered one final glance at his watch and called time on what was an incredible day.

FT: Livingston 0-1 The Spartans

Long live the sclaff!!