28th July 2018 The Spartans v Stirling University 2-2

After the Penicuik game I went home for a quick meal and then headed out to Ainslie Park to see Spartans take on Stirling University. Two games in one day for first time since 2012 when I watched Tynecastle Amatures v Hearts U-18s (0-11) at lunchtime then Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot (1-0) in afternoon. As time was running short I caught a 27 bus to Ainslie Park but still arrived around 19.10. I had time for a coffee in cafe/bar then went out to ground and met Jim who had been at Kelty Hearts v Dalbeattie Star (2-2) in the afternoon. Alex joined us just before kickoff-off having been at Alloa v Ross County (0-2). We had a chat about the games we had been at before moving into the stand as the rain started.

Moving into the stand was a good move as the rain started to come down in torrents and a strong wind blew towards the goal Spartans were defending. The conditions did not help the game and the ball spent most of the half in the air. Spartans however had most of the game and Jack Smith was crowded out in the box before he could get his shot away after a Gary Cennerazzo pass. Shortly before halftime Spartans were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box and Scott Maxwell's shot was punched away by John Allan in the Stirling goal.

The second half continued in the same vein until around ten minutes into the half after a quick break Stirling were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the 'D" of the penalty box. Fullback Dominic Slattery curled a 'Beckhamesque"shot into the top corner giving Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal no chance. Spartans continued to press but another quick break by Stirling some ten minutes later left Lewis Hunter clear on the right hand side of the Spartans penalty box. Hunter shot across Carswell to give Stirling a two goal lead. 

It seemed like Spartans were having one of these nights where they could do everything but score. However with ten minutes left Jack Smith latched onto a through ball. Allan in the University goal came out to meet him and when it seemed that a chip was Smith's only option but he toe-poked the ball low and into the corner of the net to give Spartans some hope. Probably in the conditions a chip would have taken the ball into Pilton Drive rather than into the goal. Spartans were now hunting for an equaliser and all three permitted substitutes were used. The equaliser came from an unlikely source as Cennerazzo made space on the left hand side of the penalty box and hit an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net. I found out later this was his first Spartans goal since 2014. Spartans continued to press for a winner but Stirling held on for a well-deserved point.

After the game I walked up to Ferry Road to see the 27 draw away from the bus stop. I decided to walk along to Crewe Toll roundabout for a better choice of buses rather than hang about in the cold, the rain having stopped by this time. The bus stop at the roundabout was closed due to roadworks so I had to walk to the next stop. Eventually I caught a 19 to the West End then a 22 home. When I got home I needed a bacon roll to warm me up !

Teams
Spartans ; Carswell, Brown, Cennerazzo, Tolmie, Corbett, Herd, Dishington, McFarland, Smith, Maxwell, Greenhill.
Subs: Girdwood, Atkinson, Stevenson,
Stirling University: Allan, Slattery, Webb, Mailer, Pedan, Hunter, Cowley, McGuire, Ferris, Adamson, Lyons.
Subs: Miller, MacEwan