Lowland League: Stevens guides Spartans to a point at Peffermill

Posted on Thursday, August 2nd, 2018

A Jason Stevens goal midway through the second half saw Spartans come from behind to take a point on the road against Edinburgh University at Peffermill in their second outing of the Lowland League campaign.

With a heavy schedule and player welfare in mind, the Spartans shuffled the pack from the side that played out a dramatic 2-2 draw with Stirling University on Saturday evening.

It was a decidedly dreich night in Craigmillar as the close cut pitch soaked up the rain whilst the Alan Chainey Stand offered shelter for supporters from the inclement conditions.  Meanwhile, the two tower blocks in the distance looked out over the Peffermill park, every ounce as grey as the weather overhead.

The first chance of the night fell to the Ainslie Park side with William Bremner flicking on the ball in midfield towards Jamie Dishington.  The Academy Graduate threading it into the path of Jack Smith who watched his effort narrowly curl wide.

Swan came close for the Students however Blair Carswell didn’t duck his responsibility between the sticks and he pushed the decent effort to the side and to safety.

Spartans looked threatening, often working from defence to attack with consummate ease however the final product was just being found marginally elusive.  Meanwhile, at the other end, Malt and Hops Man of the Match Jack Nixon put in a telling and timely tackle to thwart Yusuf inside his own box.  The Uni lad didn’t do himself any favours by launching into Nixon as the player looked to clear his lines out wide.

Half Time: Edinburgh University 0-0 Spartans

The second half saw the rain subside as the soggy stalwarts around the ground made their way from the feast of cakes inside the Clubhouse.

Ian McFarland won possession in the middle of the field as Spartans set out to cause problems from the restart.  He put Craig Stevenson up the line and his cross was narrowly headed wide by Jason Stevens.

Perhaps against the run of play, the Students took the lead a minute before the hour mark.  Daniel-Yoemans picking up the ball some 30 yards out from a clearance inside the Spartans box and he returned with interest, watching the ball flying into the net.

That lead lasted a full three minutes.  Jamie Dishington made a nuisance of himself in the box from a flighted ball that the keeper will be disappointed not to have made more of.  The ball broke to Jason Stevens who doesn’t miss from five yards out.

Spartans went on the offensive and the introduction of Blair Atkinson injected pace into the latter stages of the game. With just fifteen minutes left, a long ball over the top saw Atkinson collect well but he couldn’t direct his shot home as the keeper came out to narrow the angle.

Atkinson was to half the final opportunity as the game drifted into injury time.  With the Ref taking a long look at his watch, the sub striker launch a shot that looked netbound, only to find Callum Davison up for the challenge between the posts and pull off a fine save.

Full Time:  Half Time: Edinburgh University 1-1 Spartans