Penalty Pain for Spartans at Peterhead

Posted on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

The Spartans made the long trip north to Peterhead but returned empty handed after second half Penalty drama.

Spartans made a couple of personnel changes from the team that lost at home to Cowdenbeath in the Scottish cup. With captain Kevin Waugh still feeling the effect of the strain which forced him off early in that game, in came Paul Watson to the centre of the defence. There was also a change up front as Blair Henderson started on the bench and the front 4 were shuffled to allow Aaron Scott to come in and play the anchor role in midfield.

The match got underway under a clear crisp sky in front of 609 supporters and with both teams playing at a high tempo the chances began to come for both sides. Firstly, a cross by Whyte was headed over the bar by Dishington, then a shot by Smith was tipped around the post by Carswell.

The homesters got their noses in front in 17 minutes when a break up the left hand side produced a low cross by Dunne found its way to the back post where Jack Brown was on hand to knock the ball into the Spartans net.

The lead was only to last 5 minutes Spartans equalised. A corner by Russell to the back post was headed back across goal for Brad Whyte to knock in from a couple of yards.

Spartans were forced into a change shortly after. Hamish Ritchie, on his return to his old stomping ground, was barged off the pitch and crashed into an advertising hoarding. The shaken-up midfielder was replaced by Blair Henderson as the Spartans shuffled their line-up to fit.

The half produced a couple more significant chances as first Cammy Russell hit the crossbar direct from a corner and Peterhead’s Barry rattle the post with a shot. However, the teams went into the break level.

Half-time Peterhead 1-1 The Spartans

The home team started to exert more control on the game in the second half and it took a couple of fine saves from Carswell to keep the score level. First, he tipped a shot from Forrest round the post, before pushing a shot from Barry over the bar.

However, he was unable to prevent Peterhead taking the lead after the referee awarded a penalty in controversial fashion. With the ball in the corner The Spartans players claimed the ball had gone out of play and the assistant referee seemed to agree as he raised his flag, only to change his mind and lower his flag. As the play continued the ball was crossed and a header was cleared by Callum Booth who the referee adjudged to have used his hand. The penalty was scored by Barry to give Peterhead the lead again.

Spartans replaced James Craigen and Kieran Watson with Kevin Waugh and Mark Stowe as the pushed for an equaliser. The chance finally came when they were awarded a penalty of their own.

In the 85^th minute Cammy Russell was fouled just outside the box and, when his goal-bound freekick hit the upraised arm of a defender, the referee awarded a penalty. Blair Henderson took the kick and, for the third time in the game the woodwork was rattled, and the ball was cleared to safety.

With that went Spartans chance to claim something from the game as Peterhead were able to see the game out.

FT: Peterhead 2-1 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match was Blair Carswell

Report by Stuart Skakle