League Cup: Spartans succumb to Shire in semi final heartbreak

Posted on Tuesday, May 14th, 2019

Despite an Adam Corbett headed opener, Spartans succumbed to a second half Shire salvage operation and bowed out of the Lowland League Cup at the Semi Final stage.

It was the hosts who had the early chances and it was no surprise when, just five minutes into the tie, Spartans took the lead. A corner whipped into the heart of the box found the head of Adam Corbett who directed his attempt his into the roof of the net.

There was almost a second from the restart as Blair Atkinson broke the offside trap to race in on goal, only to be thwarted by some brave goalkeeping by Jamie Barclay between the Shire sticks. Atkinson was unlucky not have his penalty shout considered by the match officials when he seemed to be wrestled to the ground inside the 18 yard area as Dougie Samuel’s side pressed to double their lead ahead of the break.

HT: Spartans 1-0 East Stirlingshire The second half started in pretty much the same vein as the first with most of the action in front of the Café end of the ground. Blair Carswell, largely a bystander in the first half, was called into action early on as he had to look sharp to race from his line to deal with a challenging back pass which had hearts in mouths amongst the home bench.

An equaliser came just before the hour mark as the visitors turned their possession into a goal much to the frustration of the Spartans side who felt there was an infringement or two in the build up. Carswell was called upon to deny Rodgers in a one to one situation as Shire looked to turn the match on it’s head.

Alas, with 20 minutes left on the clock, the pendulum swung and Shire booked their spot in the Final with a header at the back post. Spartans pressed to take the game to extra time in the dying stages. Atkinson with the pick of the opportunities however he could only send his attempted lob into the welcoming arms of Barclay.

FT: Spartans 1-2 East Stirlingshire