Lowland League | Henderson hat-trick sees Spartans bounceback at Broomhill

Posted on Sunday, January 30th, 2022

Blair Henderson collected his four match ball of the season as his hat-trick perfected a Spartans comeback against Broomhill FC in Alloa.

It was an unchanged starting XI chosen by Dougie Samuel from last week’s win over Strollers that took to the field at what was a decidedly blowy Indodrill Stadium.

The opening ten minutes saw the sides look to gauge the conditions, with the ball at times akin to the 99p float-a-away your Mum bought you at the seaside on your summer holidays.

There then followed a five minute period that saw the hosts race to a 3-0 lead. First up was a free-kick from 20 yards that was despatched directly by Evan Maley.

Next, it was a tap-in for Fin Gray after a second Maley dead ball effort wasn’t held by Miko Komocki in the wind. The final blow came moments later when Maley was once again the architect with a cross that found Connor Smith who drilled home despite calls for offside from Spartans defenders.

The Broomhill media team were looking at the ‘gone with the wind / blown away’ style headlines for sure by this point but could Spartans get their nose back in it before the break?

Thankfully yes and it was Blair Henderson at the back post who headed home to reduce the deficit to offer a glimmer of hope.

HT: Broomhill FC 3-1 The Spartans

Spartans started the livelier of the two sides after the break with both Jamie Dishington and Cammy Russell tormented the home defence.

There was a lengthy delay just before the hour as Broomhill’s Connor Smith required treatment for a head knock. Both technical areas were quick to race onto the pitch to offer their assistance and post-match, the hosts informed social media that the player had left hospital following a precautionary check-up.

With twenty five minutes left, Spartans made a double change with Sam Newman and Allan Smith replacing Scott Maxwell and Sam Jones.

When Cammy Russell was upended in the box in the 70th minute, Blair Henderson stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from twelve yards to set up, as cliches would have it, a ‘grandstand finale’.

8 additional minutes were still to play for, as was an equaliser. Mikey Herd launched a long ball to the edge of the Broomhill box, it was chested down by the alert Blair Henderson who took a touch before sliding under the advancing keeper to make it 3-3.

Then, deep into injury time, Broomhill were reduced to 10 men however there wasn’t enough on the clock to allow Spartans to benefit from the numerical advantage to seek a winner.

FT: Broomhill FC 3-3 The Spartans