Under 20s bounceback as Dawson delivers to earn draw

Posted on Saturday, September 10th, 2016

Cameron Dawson earned Spartans Under 20s a point to share top spot with visitors East Kilbride in the latest round of Qualifying League ties on Friday night.

Despite the unpleasant overhead conditions, both teams put on a tremendous display of football in a game that may have lacked in goalmouth action but saw two sides keen to give it a go in the face of Autumnal adversity.

The visitors won the toss and decided to play with the hoolie behind their backs.  As it transpired, both sides scored against the sweeping rain that saw the ball at times race faster than Usain Bolt with the wind playing havoc.

Cameron Dawson had the best of the early opportunities with a decent effort from the edge of the box in the 18th minute.  The leggy forward then used his height to knock on a long throw in the box towards Johnny Grotlin who couldn’t direct his effort home.

It was however the same pair who were involved in the opening goal of the night.  Grotlin’s shot rebounded into the path of Dawson who, after seeing his first shot saved, slotted the ball into the back of the net.

HT: Spartans u20s 1-0 East Kilbride

After seeking refuge inside the warmth of the changing rooms for a well earned 15 minute break, the sides came out for another forty five minutes whilst the supporters cooried in together at the back of the stand accompanied by their half-time brews.

Spartans stopper Cameron Rae needed to be sharp to pull off a fine stop midway through the half which saw Kieran McGuire come close with a sliding / diving header effort that went over the bar.

McGuire continued to cause Les Atkinson’s side trouble as the Kilby replacement continued to press forward and he was rewarded, albeit with a stroke of luck, in netting the equaliser.  The debutant’s strike from the edge of the box taking a wicked deflection off Anthony Laing to wrong-foot Rae and land in the back of the onion bag.

Both sides looked to edge it in the final stages and it took a fine stop by Craig Melrose to deny Grotlin from stealing it at the death.

Spartans: Rae, Clark, Sutherland, Laing, Corbett, Archibald, O’Neil, Hand, Dawson, Grotlin, Trialist. Subs: Hall, Wilson.


Next Fixture

                     
Date: 09/11/24
Opponent: Forfar Athletic
Venue:Station Park
Competition: SPFL 2
Kick off: 3.00pm

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