SPFL 2: Samuel’s Elgin Marvels. Spartans win battle of Borough Briggs.

Posted on Sunday, December 17th, 2023

Blair Henderson’s hat-trick was the catalyst behind Spartans securing three points on the road at a blustery Borough Briggs where Douglas Samuel’s side defeated Elgin 0-4.

With Michael Allan now embracing life Down Under and undoubtedly enjoying temperatures of double digits, Ayrton Sonkur made a return to the starting XI in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

It was a close encounter between the teams last time they met at Ainslie Park however with the wind behind their backs, Spartans got off to a flier, scoring twice in an explosive opening six minutes.

The opener came after just three minutes.  Rhys Armstrong’s shot was stopped by Elgin keeper Tom McHale but he could only parry and Blair Henderson swooped to slide the ball home.

It didn’t take long before that lead was doubled when a neat touch by Cammy Russell saw him evade his man in the box before composing himself to ram home from some 10 yards or so.

A dream start for the North Edinburgh side and certainly not how new Elgin gaffer Allan Hale anticipated his first home game in charge would get underway.

The home support hoping the outcome of the game perhaps not quite gone with the wind after less than ten minutes played and their team battled back against a busy Spartans and the conditions, searching for a goal of their own.

James Craigen found himself pinged for handball outside the box.  Russell Dingwall’s resultant free-kick was then stopped by the boot of Craigen and thankfully Ross Draper’s rebound effort could only find Blair Carswell’s side-netting.

A Spartans free-kick was launched high into the home box, only for Jordan Tapping to be pinged as he clashed with the keeper.

Then, with the team-talks being planned for sheds at the interval, Spartans further extended their lead.

Ayrton Sonkur raced onto a half-clearance to launch a speculative 30 yarder back towards the Elgin danger zone / corner flag (delete as applicable), only to find the outstretched boot of Blair Henderson on hand to divert the ball home to make it three for the visitors.

Kieran Watson was then inches away from getting in on the action moments later when he kept close control in a crowded box before his effort narrowly went wide.

HT: Elgin City 0-3 The Spartans

Elgin’s barren spell in front of goal almost came to an end courtesy of Ben Barron when he found himself behind the Spartans defence shortly after the break but he could only send the opportunity wide of Carswell’s goalframe.  

The intensity of the opening half failed to copy and paste into the narrative of the second period and there was an opportunity for Referee Shepherd to get all festive and hand out some cards.  Yellow ones.  Rhys Armstrong and Bradley Whyte joining Ross Draper in the jotter.

Danny Denholm was introduced at the expense of Armstrong who was carrying the caution.

Then, at the midway point of the half, Spartans were awarded a penalty.  Connall Ewan with a right old fistful of Blair Henderson’s jersey in the box, not entirely subtle and in front of the eagle-eyed whistler.  Henderson dusted himself down and calmly slotted home the first penalty awarded to Spartans since their promotion to the SPFL.

A further double change made by Douglas Samuel saw Sam Jones replace James Craigen whilst there was a swap between the sticks with Jacques Heraghty coming on for Blair Carswell.

A cross whipped into the Spartans box was collected by Heraghty who also took a toe to the top of his scone in the process, offering a short spell of anxious looks from the bench and possibly another replacement fill the goals!  Thankfully the modern equivalent of the magic sponge was deployed and we were back in play.

Heraghty then had to pull off a decent save at his top corner before Sean Brown at the other end had a couple of bites at the cherry to add to the tally, only to be denied by some last ditch defending.

The final word came from the substitute Spartans stopper who pulled off a tremendous save with the ball destined for the postage stamp. 

FT: Elgin City 0-4 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson