SPFL 2: Watson double secures point at Stranraer

Posted on Sunday, August 4th, 2024

Paul Watson’s second half double saw The Spartans come back from a two goal deficit at the break to earn his side a point on the road in the opening match day of the William Hill SPFL 2 campaign.

Spartans were unbeaten in both encounters between the clubs at Stair Park last season however that record looked on the ropes come half time however a spirited fightback saw a share of the spoils come the final whistle.

The opening quarter of an hour saw a cagey affair and the players adjusted to the warm conditions and a slightly slippy surface underfoot caused by overnight rain.

There followed a six-minute one-two rapid double blow on the Spartans chin that had the visitors on the ropes.

Stranraer went on the counter and as Ayrton Sonkur put in a last gasp challenge to try and thwart Deryn Lang, the ball could only be deflected and it looped over Blair Carswell and into the empty net.

It could have been all square moments later when Cammy Russell sprung the offside trap to race towards goal.  He looked to square to Blair Henderson who spun to face Jacob Pazikas between the sticks however his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

Then, in the 26^th minute, Stranraer doubled their lead. A long hoof up the park saw the ball fall to Lang and he look to turn Sonkur, his team mate Elliot Dunlop had other plans and slammed home via the inside of the post.

The crossbar came to the Spartans rescue shortly after with the rebound being headed off the line by Sonkur as Stranraer attempted to put further light between the sides before retreating to the sheds.

HT: Stranraer 2-2 The Spartans

Would the hosts rue the missed chances ahead of the break? Could Spartans pull this back from the brink come full time? 

Well, just four minutes into the second half, the deficit was halved.

A Cammy Russell in-swinging corner was headed back across goal by Blair Henderson to find Paul Watson hovering on the six yard line and he nodded home.

Callum Booth then launched a probing cross to the back post and it was only an inch or two too high for Jamie Dishington to connect with.

It was Dishington’s last involvement as he was replaced by Brogan Walls midway through the half.

With a quarter of an hour left on the clock and as cliches go, the next goal likely to be crucial, it was the visitors who found the net to silence the vuvuzela blower in the stand.

Lewis Hunter was wrestled to the ground in a move that wouldn’t have looked out of place across the road at neighbouring Wigtonshire Rugby Club’s paddock.  Tomas Brindley earning a caution for his involvement that offered Spartans a free-kick out wide.

Cammy Russell sent the free-kick into the box and after two ricochets, it landed at the feet of Paul Watson who slid in with a half volley that flew beyond the defender on the post and into the back of the net.

Both sides tried valiantly to create a late winner however it just proved to be too elusive and were eventually rewarded with a point a-piece for their efforts.

FT: Stranraer 2-2 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Paul Watson