SPFL 2: Russell double instrumental in beating Binos

Posted on Monday, November 18th, 2024

A Cammy Russell double and a goal from Blair Henderson saw Spartans secure their second 3-0 victory in as many Saturdays with a win over Stirling Albion at Ainslie Park.

Manager Douglas Samuel kept the faith in the same starting XI that defeated Forfar last time out with the addition of Archie Wylie to the match day squad.

As the bitter wind-chill factor cut through the 501 in attendance across the Pilton arena, Spartans looked on fire from the off with Blair Henderson’s effort inside the box being blocked and sent behind for a corner within the opening minute of the game.

Whilst Kevin Waugh was resigned to a spot on the home bench, his brother Ricky was keen to grab the bragging rights at the next family gathering however his effort from outside Blair Carswell’s box would only trouble the observing Bino’s support standing on the embankment behind the Spartans goal.

Brogan Walls was putting in another impressive shift and his eyes lit up when Blair Henderson offloaded to him 25 yards out however the shot would only drift wide and behind as the hopes of a deadlock breaker looked to be decidedly elusive.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Stirling Albion

Whilst the temperature dropped, the tempo increased as Spartans took the game to the visitors after the break.

Cammy Russell sprung the offside trap, ventured into the Albion box but his square ball seeking Blair Henderson was cut out, then the same player found Brogan Walls who sent his shot wide.

Finally, in the 56^th minute, persistence finally paid off.  James Craigen’s free-kick to the back post was knocked back into the melting pot by Brogan Walls.  An unlikely miss-kick by Cammy Russell fortuitously fell into the path of Blair Henderson who, at the second bite of the proverbial cherry, poked the ball into the net to open the scoring.

That advantage doubled just five minutes later.  Again, Henderson and Walls were at the heart of the build up play, the letter launching Cammy Russell who won the footrace against Erik Sula to despatch the ball across Derek Gaston and into the bottom corner.

Douglas Samuel freshened some legs, with Jamie Dishington and Lewis Hunter replacing the industrious duo of Walls and Scott.

Meanwhile, there was an almighty kerfuffle off the pitch as a photo of a burnt pie was circulated on X (yes, folk are still on the platform despite newspapers and suspension bridges alike publicly announcing their decisions to leave earlier in the week).  Thankfully, calm was restored in the sad tale of the sorry looking savoury and the frustrated Bino’s fan involved was rewarded with a second half replacement in the shape of a brand new bridie.

Back to the game and Mark Stowe came off the bench with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, replacing scorer Henderson.

James Craigen’s afternoon was cut short after a collision tight on the touchline and he was replaced by Kevin Waugh.

Then, with the scoreboard, sponsored by Village Hotels, showing 89 minutes played, Albion looked to launch a late ball in order to set up a grandstand finale.  Sadly for the visitors, that effort was to bounce off a fellow Bino and Cammy Russell was played in to finish off with aplomb.

FT: The Spartans 3-0 Stirling Albion