SPFL 2: Dish serves up historical goal in opening day draw

Posted on Sunday, August 6th, 2023

A historic first SPFL goal from Jamie Dishington saw The Spartans open life in cinch League 2 with a 1-1 draw against Clyde at Ainslie Park.

Ahead of the match, internationally acclaimed Edinburgh samba band Pulse of the Place wooed the crowd with an enthusiastic set whilst members of the Youth 2016 team joined players as they entered the field ahead of their SPFL debut.

They were met with a cacophony of noise offered by the Spartans Ultras North who unveiled their resplendent tifo which was designed by the youths and produced by local designer Sarah Jane Embroidery.

A crowd of over 600 were in place as the game got underway in perfect conditions. As is customary, Spartans kicked off heading towards the Cafe end.

It was, understandably, a tense opening affair involving two clubs with contrasting journeys in making this season’s league 2 line up. Clyde opening up their campaign after relegation from League 2 and the hosts making the move up from the Lowland League after two intense play-off finals.

It took until the 12th minute before the game really came to life when Sula launched into a challenge which saw James Craigen go flying, only for Referee Calder to wave play on.

A few minutes later, Spartans had the first clear cut opportunity of the afternoon when Clyde keeper Parry pushed Cammy Russell’s shot from inside the box behind for a corner.

Midway through the half, Clyde struck first. Jon Craig’s cross from the left side of the paddock saw Martin Rennie race in to head home at the near post much to the joy of the travelling support.

Clyde looked to double their lead however some resolute defending saw two pops at Blair Carswell’s goal frame blocked and the deficit remained at a solitary strike.

Jamie Dishington looked to make inroads into extinguishing Clyde’s lead and after shaking off his marker down the wing, he cut back to James Craigen but his effort went narrowly wide.

HT: The Spartans 0-1 Clyde

Spartans got the second half underway and from the off, they were in lively fashion, spending the early stages camped in the Clyde half.

A tremendous run by playmaker Bradley Whyte allowed him to whip in a cross however the pace was just too much for Cammy Russell who got a touch but not enough to trouble the keeper.

A Rhys Armstrong free-kick was next to cause chaos in the Clyde box with an unconvincing clearance falling to Mikey Allan just outside the penalty area but his return was to narrowly go wide.

Bradley Whyte then went for a stroll through the midfield. He threaded the ball into the path of Jamie Dishington and but for a scrambling, sliding clearance from Dunachie, Blair Henderson was all set to pounce in front of goal.

Jamie Dishington may have had more than a hint of a claim for a penalty kick when indecision between defender and keeper saw the Spartans man nip between them and was the meat in the Clyde sandwich as he went down in a clumsy challenge.

Then, in the 69th minute, Spartans got their richly deserved equaliser.

Mikey Allan eased his man off the ball to rob him of possession. Rhys Armstrong gathered and sent Jamie Dishington in the area but still with plenty of work to do. Firstly he cut inside leaving a defender in a statuesque state before shaping himself to outfox another before sliding the ball under Parry and into the empty net.

Before play could restart, Kieran Watson replaced Ayrton Sonkur in the heart of the Spartans defence.

Mikey Allan was next to have a shot, this time to seek the winner and his fierce effort was parried by Parry with no takers for seconds.

Rhys Armstrong was even closer, this time after a cross into the area was neatly tapped into his direction by Jamie Dishington however Parry was once again to prevent the hosts from taking the lead as he threw himself at the shot and somehow managed to send the ball behind.

Danny Denholm entered the fray inside the final 10 minutes replacing Rhys Armstrong who had left absolutely nothing out on the pitch.

With the game entering into the first of six additional minutes, a final replacement of the afternoon saw experienced campaigner Gavin Morrison swap spots with goalscorer Jamie Dishington who came off to a rapturous round of applause from the Spartan Army faithful.

FT: The Spartans 1-1 Clyde

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Jordan Tapping. Solid throughout and that late second half track-back and challenge in front of the stand was as crucial as it was outstanding.

Team: 1. Carswell, 3. Allan, 4. Waugh, 5. Tapping, 7. Dishington (6. Morrison 90′), 9. Henderson, 11. Russell, 15. Sonkur (2. Watson 69′), 26. Armstrong (14. Denholm 83′), 28. Craigen, 33. Whyte. Subs (unused): 12. Heraghty, 8. Jones, 10. S Brown, 17. A Brown, 20. Newman, 22. Lamont