East Kilbride come out on top with late winner

Posted on Saturday, August 31st, 2013

Spartans lost their unbeaten Lowland League record in a 1-0 defeat away to East Kilbride. The match between the sides was the first ever meeting and turn out to be an entertaining end to end game.

Spartans started strong and Jack Beesley saw his strike after 4 minutes hit the top of the bar.

Robbie Ross got onto the end of a Beesley cross after 33 mintues however his strike from a few yards out was saved by Meldrum in the East Kilbride goal.

Both defenses were playing well and while there was a lot of flowing, attacking football, nether side was able to great many clear chances in an even first half.

The second half was much of the same with both sides struggling to get a clear shot on goal. Scott Bennett had to look sharp to tip a header from East Kilbride defender Craig Duncan after 55 minutes.

At the other end Keith McLeod had an excellent chance to opened the scoring in the 71st minute. He raced onto a through ball from sub Mark Whatley however his strike from 10 yards hit the bar and bounced clear.

East Kilbride secured the winning goal in the 87th minute. Craig McLeish got his head onto a corner and the ball fell to Martyn McLaughlin who poked the ball home from 3 yards out.

Malt & Hops Man of the Match: Ally MacKinnon – an excellent performance from the big defender who did well to cope with the dangerous Chris McDougall.

Spartans: Bennett, MacKinnon, Cennerazzo, O’Donnell, Main, Grant, Beesley, Motion (Whatley), Ross (Anderson), McLeod, Brown Unused subs: Muhsin, MacCuish, Blaikie

Crime count: Brown