Lowland League: Herd hits home late winner to scupper Students

Posted on Monday, March 12th, 2018

Spartans once again left it til late to earn another vital three points with Michael Herd netting the winner against a well drilled Stirling University outfit at Ainslie Park.

With a decimated league card on the back of the recent inclement weather, Dougie Samuel’s side had the opportunity to further close the gap at the top of the table as they continue to play catch-up in the fixture log jam.

The opening quarter of the match was largely without incident of note, with a stuffy Stirling side looking to nullify threats from the hosts.  Stevens with a half chance however the striker couldn’t get enough shoe leather to cylindrical leather to connect towards goal.

The same player found himself with a better chance having been played in by Stevenson only to see his shot go wide.  His next effort did find the net, only for the linesman to rule it out for offside.

Stirling almost took the lead ten minutes before the break when Lyon’s cutback forced Corbett into a clearance – thankfully the thickness of the post saved the day before it was hoofed to safety.

HT: Spartans 0-0 Stirling University

Spartans made a positional change as they came out of the sheds for the second stanza and within three minutes it almost paid off.  A Greenhill cross from the end of a well worked move landed on the head of Brown who unfortunately couldn’t find the target.

Chances came, chances went, frustrations on the park and in the stand.  Stevens headed over, Dishington shot over the bar, Herd lofted a shot high, Maxwell booked – the gaffer metaphorically pulling his hair out as time ticked on and the score remained tied.

With twelve minutes left, Atkinson was introduced from the bench.  The Pathway Graduate has had quite the late show impact this season and he was instrumental once again in pulling the footballing rabbit out of the hat.

The pacey playmaker delivered an exquisite pass that found Herd who didn’t need to wait for a written invitation to tuck the ball home with four minutes to go.

Atkinson was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself shortly after when he saw his shot blocked by a defender with the Uni goalie on walkabout.

And with that, the final whistle sounded.  Another late show, but it ain’t over til the fat lady sings. Or Ref blows for full time…

FT: Spartans 1-0 Stirling University