Lowland League | Honours even as debutant Brown bags draw against Braves

Posted on Saturday, October 30th, 2021

Sean Brown made a goal scoring debut for Spartans in a share of the spoils against Caledonian Braves at Alliance Park.

With the Lowland League campaign reaching it’s halfway point, Dougie Samuel’s side made the trip west to take on the Braves. Between the sticks was Under 20s keeper Miko Komocki whilst the Gaffer was dealt a late blow due to the withdrawal of Mikey Allan due to illness.

In a pleasant break from the autumnal showers, the teams made their way out on to the carpet under a blanket of blue sky. Kick-off followed a minute’s silence in respect of Scotland footballing legend Walter Smith who sadly passed away earlier this week.

Spartans started well and there was almost an early opportunity to break the deadlock for Blair Henderson who looked on in anguish as his header went narrowly wide.

New signing Sean Brown looked lively from the outset and he was a matter of shoe laces away from connecting after the ball came back into the six yard box from Jamie Dishington following a Henderson effort that grazed the bar.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match Cammy Russell was next to add an effort to the ‘shots at goal’ tally when his off-balance attempt could only clear the woodwork.

The hosts ended the half with a corner of their own, but it was headed well wide and the teams headed to the sheds in a stalemate situation.

HT: Caledonian Braves 0-0 The Spartans

The second half was merely a couple of minutes old before Braves defender Jack McDowall hit the deck in pain whilst making an unchallenged clearance. After lengthy treatment, he was assisted from the field by members of both physio camps.

Just under ten minutes into the half, Spartans took the lead. A free-kick was launched deep into the box and Sean Brown won the aerial battle to send his header into the top corner.

That lead, unfortunately, was to be relatively short lived, as Rhys Armstrong levelled proceedings when he sent Zac Butterworth’s cutback into the net.

Braves thought they’d stolen it in injury time when Armstrong ‘scored’, only for the Ref to rightly ping him for handball in the build up. As they say on the telly, you can often tell by the reaction of the players…

With the sands of time down to the final granules, Spartans launched one final assault upon the Braves box. Cammy Russell took a tumble under a challenge. He looked to the Ref more in hope than expectation and the shrill of the whistle that followed signalled the end of the extended second half.

FT: Caledonian Braves 1-1 The Spartans