Lowland League | Russell double guides Spartans to win over Gala

Posted on Saturday, August 6th, 2022

A Man of the Match, brace-scoring performance by Cammy Russell set Spartans on their way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Gala Fairydean Rovers at Ainslie Park.

The Gaffer made changes from Tuesday night’s trip to Dumbarton as he continued to seek valuable points in the packed early stages of what looks to be shaping up to be a tasty league championship this season.

Spartans kicked off and were almost ahead within 30 seconds of the opening whistle. Cammy Russell swooped like a seagull on chips on a loose pass-back however he just couldn’t connect with the ball as he came face to face with the keeper.

It was one-way traffic early doors with Mikey Allan going on a lung-bursting drive and Cammy Russell once again chapping at the door following enterprising play from Jamie Dishington.

Those unconverted opportunities almost bit the home side where the sun doesn’t shine and a ricocheted clearance came back into the path of Blair Carswell and the keeper had to react sharply to tip the ball over the bar.

Rhys Armstrong unleashed a speculative effort from long range, partly wind assisted, and the Gala goalie had to be alert to watch for it dipping as it flew towards him with gusto.

A brace within a small space of time saw Cammy Russell put light between the sides and his first in the 17th minute came from the heart of the defence up to Brad Whyte who fed Russell in space before the striker looked up and let fly from 20 yards.

The second followed in quick fashion as the Gala defence got into a bit of a muddle and the ball breaking to Russell who went on a run to open the opportunity to shoot inside the box and it crept into the bottom corner despite the keeper getting a bit of glove to the ball en route to destination onion bag.

Mikey Allan looked to be enjoying himself out by the standside touchline and he drew warm applause from the Spartan Army faithful with a neat touch, turn and run.

Cammy Russell continued to seek an avenue to collect the match ball however he was to find that third goal elusive and the sides headed for the sheds with Spartans two ahead.

HT: The Spartans 2-0 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Just two minutes after the break, Spartans further extended their lead. Blair Henderson passing the ball out to Jamie Dishington and as the striker made his way to the penalty area with eager anticipation of reciprocation, Dishington’s cross bizarrely eluded the Gala goalkeeper who was outfoxed/distracted/confused by the effort from the narrowest of angles, it flew over this head and nestled in the net. Scenes!

Henderson’s next selfless involvement saw him set up Mikey Allan however he could only look on agonisingly as his shot went narrowly wide.

Cometh the hour, cometh the Hendo. The talismanic striker towered over his marker in the box to power home a header from a Mikey Allan cross to make it 4-0.

With twenty minutes left, Spartans made a couple of changes, with Calum Burns and Jamie Penker replacing Jordan Tapping and Brad Whyte.

A long range effort from the visitors gave Blair Carswell the chance to get a wee dive on for the cameras.

Two further changes were made, seeing Gregor Woods and Scott Maxwell coming on for the industrious duo of Cammy Russell and Rhys Armstrong.

A clean sheet looked on the cards, however in the 82nd minute, the visitors got a consolation for their efforts courtesy of a headed own goal.

With the game entering into it’s final stages, Ian McFarland was the final Spartan to come off the bench, replacing scorer Henderson.

FT: The Spartans 4-1 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell