EOS Qualifying Cup: Early exit as Rose prove to be thorn in Spartans side

Posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2021

The Spartans bowed out of the EOS Qualifying Cup following a 1-3 defeat at home to Linlithgow Rose.

Spartans gaffer Dougie Samuel rung the changes from the starting XI that took on Broomhill FC at the weekend, with no fewer than six players swapping places as they took on the East of Scotland side in the 2nd Round of the tournament.

There was an early chance for the hosts when Blair Atkinson went on a trademark pacey run, his delivery to Aaron Murrell appeared to be just a little bit behind the striker who just couldn’t connect.

The visitors took the lead in the 7th minute with their first excursion up the park and it was Jack Ogilvie who gave the visitors the opening goal of the game.

There was almost a second when Ruari Maclennan had a pop at goal but this time Blair Carswell was equal to the task and pushed the ball to safety.

The sides were level in the 26th minute when a Scott McCrory-Irving cross into the six yard box looked to be a bread and butter collect for Lewis McMinn however he spilt the ball and Aaron Murrell was on hand to swoop and tap the ball home.

Spartans looked to build on this and McMinn redeemed himself with a fine save, clawing Sam Jones’ 20 yard free-kick away to safety.

HT: Spartans 1-1 Linlithgow Rose

Spartans made an early second half change as Euan Smith replaced Ian McFarland.

A Scott McCrory-Irving corner was sent to the back post and it was met by the acrobatic Mikey Allan who narrowly sent his overhead effort over the bar.

A further change in the home ranks came midway through the half when Kevin Waugh replaced the injured Dan Baur.

With fifteen minutes left, it was the visitors who took the lead for the second time. A free-kick into the box wasn’t cleared sufficiently enough and it was collected by Mark Stowe who drilled low into the bottom corner.

A final throw of the dice by the home bench saw Blair Henderson replace Murrell.

However it was the visitors who earned a place in the 3rd Round when Ogilvie’s neat touch set himself up for a half-volley that left Carswell no chance and sent his side 1-3 ahead.

Jamie Dishington was inches away from setting up a grandstand finish, only for a back-tracking defender to head his effort off the line in the dying stages.

FT: Spartans 1-3 Linlithgow Rose