Spartans wrap up three points for Sammy’s Christmas

Posted on Saturday, December 17th, 2016

Dougie Samuel was handed an early Christmas present by his Spartans side who weathered a late BSC Glasgow storm to secure a 2-1 win in a Lowland League encounter that largely came to life in the second half.

Supporters were offered the opportunity to watch the match between the fourth and fifth placed sides for free as the football club teamed up with the Spartans Academy to boost the charity’s campaign to help local organisations with their Foodbank donations next week.

On with the game and with just over a week until Santa comes down global chimneys, it was an opportunity for players to give one final shot at being naughty or nice and Andrew Mair almost earned himself extra bonus points with a smashing half-pitch length run that saw his finished product flash across the face of the goal.

Aidan Ferris was next to attempt at breaking the deadlock however the woodwork was to deny the BSC striker who saw his shot hit the base of the post before zipping back across behind Blair Carswell.

Shaun Bowers was then denied at close range by Carswell who pushed out an outstretched strong hand to block a certain goal.

Mair’s 20th minute cross into the box was met by Keith Murray at waist level and an effort with the strikers belly almost made it passed the keeper with the rebound then blocked as Jamie Dishington looked to capitalise.

HT: Spartans 0-0 BSC Glasgow

It took just two second half minutes for Spartans to take the lead.  Murray’s cross into box was bundled over the line by Scott Maxwell, despite the visitors remonstrations, more in hope than expectation, that it hadn’t breached the whitewash.

The narrow lead was living a charmed life midway through the half when the corner of the post / bar was on hand to rescue the hosts and leave Bowers frustrated.

Spartans made a double substitution in the 71st minute and it was to be an inspired one as Dan Ward was in the right place to finish off Murray’s hard work.  Murray raced in on goal before rounding the keeper only to see his shot blocked as he pulled the trigger.  The ball fell into the path of Ward who looked to have wrapped up three points and a clean sheet in time for Christmas from a handful of yards.

With the game entering into injury time, BSC halved the deficit and, unsurprisingly, it was dangerman Bowers who capitalised on some festive spirit in the home defence.

Pressing for a point and with time running out, Riccardo Corrieri unleashed a low drive that brought out the best in Carswell who done well to get down low to push round the post.  His opposite number Wilson came up for the corner but it was to prove to be all in vain.

FT: Spartans 2-1 BSC Glasgow

Spartans: Carswell, Thomson, Maxwell, Malone, Tolmie, Stevenson, Beesley (Comrie), Dishington (Ward), Murray, Mair, Brown.  Subs: Greenhill, Hay, Gabiola, Gilpin (GK)

BSC Glasgow: Wilson, Bowers, Traynor (Lyons), Toner, Bell, Redpath, Woods (Bembo), Cunningham, Ferris, Duncan (Beckett), Corrieri.  Subs: Jones, Dryden, Barr (GK)

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Scott Maxwell