14th July 2018 The Spartans v Dumbarton 0-0 (Dumbarton won penalty shootout 4-3)
The season started today in Scotland with the first round of the Betfred Cup group fixtures. However our European contenders had already been in action in midweek although they are exempt from the Betfred Cup group stages. As Hearts are one of the idle sides this weekend given there are five teams in each group and they all play each other once I decided to go to watch Spartans play Dumbarton. Spartans qualified for the Betfred Cup by winning the Lowland League and will therefore play four group matches against SPFL clubs in the group stage. The first of these was today at Ainslie Park against Dumbarton at Ainslie Park. Dumbarton were relegated from the championship last season after a play-off but will still provide a daunting task for Spartans being two leagues above Spartans in the Scottish pyramid.
Spartans fielded close season signing Jack Smith with the remainder of the line-up on familiar lines. Dumbarton field a strong side with ex-Motherwell players Stuart Carswell and Ross Forbes. The strength of the side can be gauged by the fact that former Rangers and Northern Ireland striker Andy Little could only make the bench.
It was a match with few clear cut chances for either side throughout. Dumbarton had the ball in the net early on from a header. However the Assistant Referee had his flag up for offside without complaint from any party involved.
Having made a handful of selection changes due to availability challenges with defenders Blair Tolme and Jack Nixon missing., Spartans could have been discounted from taking much out of the game against their loftier opponents. Whilst Dumbarton pressed to take the initiative, Spartans looked dangerous too with quick defence to striker counter attacks seeing progress up the park made. David Greenhill was particularly effective in midfield winning the ball and distributing it well. It was surprising to me at least that he was substituted in the second half although Spartans brought on striker Jason Stevens to replace him in an effort to push more men forward.
Gary Cennerazzo looked dangerous and was denied an opener in the second half as the ball went narrowly past the post. At the other end it took a fine stop by Blair Carswell to deny Little to keep the scores level ahead of the penalty kicks which under Betfred Cup rules have been introduced to offer an additional point as an incentive to win the game.
The first four penalties were good, Barr and Paton scoring for Dumbarton with Stevenson and Corbett finding the net for Spartans. Away goalie Adam saved from McFarland and Gallagher then put Dumbarton ahead Maxwell was successful with his attempt. A Dumbarton fan sitting behind me was shouting at the keeper to dive to his left based on Maxwells run-up but he dived right as ball went left. Hutton put the Sons back out in front once again at 4-3. Dishington needed to score to force sudden death. Unfortunately keeper Adam correctly guessed to the left and dived to stop the shot and earn his side two points. Spartans goalkeeper Carswell went the wrong way for each of the four penalties he faced. This was surprising as a few seasons ago I saw him save three penalties in one game against Edinburgh City.
Walked up to Ferry Road and 27 bus arrived at bus stop just as I got there so it was a quick trip home.
Spartans fielded close season signing Jack Smith with the remainder of the line-up on familiar lines. Dumbarton field a strong side with ex-Motherwell players Stuart Carswell and Ross Forbes. The strength of the side can be gauged by the fact that former Rangers and Northern Ireland striker Andy Little could only make the bench.
It was a match with few clear cut chances for either side throughout. Dumbarton had the ball in the net early on from a header. However the Assistant Referee had his flag up for offside without complaint from any party involved.
Having made a handful of selection changes due to availability challenges with defenders Blair Tolme and Jack Nixon missing., Spartans could have been discounted from taking much out of the game against their loftier opponents. Whilst Dumbarton pressed to take the initiative, Spartans looked dangerous too with quick defence to striker counter attacks seeing progress up the park made. David Greenhill was particularly effective in midfield winning the ball and distributing it well. It was surprising to me at least that he was substituted in the second half although Spartans brought on striker Jason Stevens to replace him in an effort to push more men forward.
Gary Cennerazzo looked dangerous and was denied an opener in the second half as the ball went narrowly past the post. At the other end it took a fine stop by Blair Carswell to deny Little to keep the scores level ahead of the penalty kicks which under Betfred Cup rules have been introduced to offer an additional point as an incentive to win the game.
The first four penalties were good, Barr and Paton scoring for Dumbarton with Stevenson and Corbett finding the net for Spartans. Away goalie Adam saved from McFarland and Gallagher then put Dumbarton ahead Maxwell was successful with his attempt. A Dumbarton fan sitting behind me was shouting at the keeper to dive to his left based on Maxwells run-up but he dived right as ball went left. Hutton put the Sons back out in front once again at 4-3. Dishington needed to score to force sudden death. Unfortunately keeper Adam correctly guessed to the left and dived to stop the shot and earn his side two points. Spartans goalkeeper Carswell went the wrong way for each of the four penalties he faced. This was surprising as a few seasons ago I saw him save three penalties in one game against Edinburgh City.
Walked up to Ferry Road and 27 bus arrived at bus stop just as I got there so it was a quick trip home.
Teams
The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Brown, Cennerazzo, Corbett, Greenhill, Dishington, McFarland, Smith, Maxwell, Stevenson.
Subs: Bremner, Stevens, Atkinson.
Dumbarton: Adam, Perry, Dowie, C. Barr, Dyer, Forbes, Carswell, Hutton, B. Barr, Russell, Thomson,
Subs: Gallagher, Little, Paton.
Subs: Gallagher, Little, Paton.
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