Lowland League | Derby day disappointment for Spartans

Posted on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022

Spectators came out on a lovely day in North Edinburgh to watch Civil and Spartans go head to head in the local derby and it was a game of as many twists and turns as you’d see on a snakes and ladders board that unfolded.

Both sides looked to stamp their early authority on proceedings.  Strollers had a corner kick which wasn’t overly well executed offering Jamie Dishington the opportunity to go on the counter-attack however the charge of the Spartans brigade fizzled out before it could trouble the home keeper.

Just eight minutes on the clock and the hosts took the lead. A free-kick into the box saw Blair Carswell come to collect only for him to be beaten on the edge of his penalty area by a header that went into the empty net.

There was almost a prompt equaliser as Sean Brown looks to capitalise on a defensive lapse but keeper saved well from the Spartans striker.

A lengthy halt to proceedings saw Spartans forced into a change in the 22^nd minute when Jordan Tapping had to be assisted from the field after injuring himself and he was replaced by Gregor Woods.

A yellow for Kieran Watson offered Civil a free-kick 20 yards out but not only did it clear the defensive wall, but Carswell’s crossbar too.

Jamie Dishington found himself with the ball at his feet inside the box but he just couldn’t dig it out from underneath his laces to trouble the home goal as Spartans pressed for an equaliser.

Blair Carswell was once against called upon just before the half time interval to pull off a fine one handed save.

HT: Civil Service Strollers 1-0 The Spartans

An early robust challenge by Ian McFarland in front of the dug outs saw the second half start with the passion one would expect in a local derby.  Unfortunately for the Spartans man it was deemed to be unhelpful by the match official who penalised him for his troubles.

Blair Henderson was a crossbar width away from pulling his side level when he connected with a Rhys Armstrong corner kick.

A double change on the hour saw Cammy Russell and Jamie Penker replace Ian McFarland and Sean Brown.

Neat play in the middle of the field from Rhys Armstrong saw him lay off to Jamie Penker and it was almost the ideal introduction but for the save from the keeper.

With 65 minutes on the clock, it was the home side who were to score next.  The ball fortuitously ricocheting off a static Faye who then took off before forcing Blair Carswell into a tremendous initial stop however the rebound was sent low and hard into the bottom corner despite the goalie’s second attempt to keep it out.

Just five minutes later, Spartans halved the deficit.  A cross into the box was popped into the path of Blair Henderson courtesy of a stray defensive header and the acrobatic hit man netted with an overhead kick to offer his side an avenue back into the game.

Spartans pressed for an equaliser.  Often it was met with a transgression, ensuring the Referee would have been up late completing his bookings returns.

A free-kick deep into the box from Rhys Armstrong in the 90^th minute invited a touch or nudge however there were no takers and with that, the game, like the chance, went out a-begging.

FT: Civil Service Strollers 2-1 The Spartans