Viaplay Cup: Henderson strikes back but Bairns sneak win at the death

Posted on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

The Spartans came within three minutes of taking SPFL 1 outfit Falkirk to a spot-kick finish in their second outing in the Viaplay Cup Group B stages.

After an opening day victory over Championship outfit Dundee United, there were four changes in Dougie Samuel’s line-up with Danny Denholm, Ayrton Sonkur and Sam Newman in the starting XI.

The match kicked-off with the summer sun setting over North Edinburgh and the novel attraction of supporters in the stand shielding their eyes as the golden globe dipped beyond the neighbouring flats.

It was the visitors, in their first competitive game of the season, who came out the traps quickly.  So much so that after just six minutes, they took the lead.   A corner whipped into the heart of the home penalty box found Tom Lang who delivered an unstoppable header that whizzed past Blair Carswell in the net.

Before play could resume, the young Spartans support in the stand unveiled their handy work in the shape of a banner showing their gratitude for last season’s skipper Ian McFarland who hung up his boots following guiding the team to promotion.

Spartans looked to get back into the game at the earliest opportunity.  Ayrton Sonkur sent a free-kick long into the box, only for Blair Henderson to be pinged by Referee Williams.

Sonkur was to be Spartans saviour shortly after when his telescopic legs were extended to prevent a blistering shot from travelling any further to trouble Carswell.

Cammy Russell sent in an inviting corner, teasing for a head to connect, only for Sam Long to come out and flap, miss and in turn deceive everyone, allowing the ball to go behind for a goal kick.

HT: The Spartans 1-2 Falkirk

A change at the break saw Bradley Whyte replaced by Rhys Armstrong, offering fresh legs for the second spell.

Spartans start to the half was akin to the visitors opening spell in the first as they went on the offensive from the off.  Nice attacking play down the flank saw James Craigen whip in a decent cross, which was met by Long and Lang who collided with each other as Blair Henderson looked to swoop on any spills.

Cometh the hour, cometh the talismanic striker Blair Henderson.  Rhys Armstrong launched a free-kick long into the box, keeper Long came out once again to collect however he failed to keep hold of the ball.  In his valiant attempt to retrieve it, he could only collide with Kieran Watson.  The ball broke free to Blair Henderson who swooped on it like a seagull on chips and added the salt and sauce for the Ainslie Park side by popping into the onion bag.

With twenty to go, there was a trio of home changes, with Sam Jones, Sean Brown and Gavin Morrison entering the fray with Denholm, Henderson and Dishington taking well earned rests.

Blair Carswell, a relative by-stander in the second half, was called upon to make a tremendous stop from close range after the break of the ball benefitted Ola Lawal but Carswell’s strong palm pushed it away.

A final change gave Jordan Tapping a chance to stretch the legs with James Craigen heading to the technical area.

Then, with a potential penalty shoot out decider on the horizon, the visitors struck what turned out to be the killer blow.

Patient build up play by the visitors saw the ball launch into the box, Ross MacIver took a touch – his initial starting position in comparison to the home defence up for some debate – it fell to Alfie Agyeman who collided with Jordan Tapping only for MacIver to benefit from the being in the right place at the right time to slide the ball beyond Carswell and take full points for the Bairns.

FT: The Spartans 2-1 Falkirk

Lots of positives to take out the game, the second against full time opposition in a few days and time to rest, recover and regroup ahead of the trip to Peterhead next Wednesday.

Team: Carswell, Watson, Newman, Waugh (c), Sonkur, Whyte (Armstrong 45), Dishington (Morrison 70), Craigen (Tapping 83), Henderson (S Brown 70), Denholm (Jones 70), Russell. Subs (Not Used) A Brown, B Lamont, A Meek, M Allan.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell

Attendance: 874