8th October 2022 The Spartans 3 Cumbernauld Colts 0

 

At last back to watch football ! I have not been to a match since 25th August and have missed Hearts last four home games. This must been the first time I have missed so many consecutive home games since proabably 1967. I decided Inwould go a watch Spartans today as I was feeling a bit better although still taking pills. I would normally walk to Ainslie Park but today I decided to catch a bus. I walked to Tollcross and found I would have twenty-five minutes to wait for a. 27 which goes direct towards Ainslie Park. A twenty-three was due in five minutes so I caught it to Goldenacre. From there I walked along Ferry Road towards Ainslie Park. I arrived around 14.40 and showed by season ticket for entry. Once in the ground I bought my £2 programme which included a team sheet. I did think about getting something to eat but decided  not to as I was not sure my stomach could handle it. I took up position against the perimeter fence at the cafe end of the ground to watch the sides complete their warm-ups.

Spartans currently sit eighth in Lowland League but are in good run of form with three consectutiebs victories scoring eleven goals an only conceding one. This is despite a run of injuries with defenders Jordan Tapping, Gavin Morrison and Harvey Swann sill on the injury list. The injuries meant that midfielder Kieran Watson, on loan from Edinburgh City, stood in at centre half for todays match. Captain Ian McFarland started on the bench along with full-back Michael Herd who is making a return after injury. Scott Maxwell making his 201st competitive appearance for Spartans takes over the captains armband. Cumbernauld Colts are what I would term a classic 'mid-table side'. They joined the Lowland League on its inception in 2015 and have never threatened either to win the League or be relegated. The sole trophy they have won since joining the League was The Lowland league Cup in 2018. They play at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld which has a capacity of 8086 although attendances are considerably lower.The only name I recognised in their side was Gregory Tady who has SPFL experience with Raith Rovers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone among others.

Spartans lost the toss and were forced to change ends meaning they attacked the Pilton end of the ground rather than the Cafe end which they normally favour in the first half. Maxwell almost celebrated his captaincy with a goal when he broke into the box on the right. His shot however was gathered at his near post by Cumbernuld keeper Ryan Adamson. heavy rain commenced and like most other fans I took refuge in the stand. Maxwell however picked up a knock and was forced of the pitch around the twenty minute mark. He was replaced by McFarland who also took over the captains arm-band. Spartans had most of the ball bur rarely troubled Adamson in the Cumbernauld goal.  Th home side finally took the lead in thirty-seven minutes. A corner from the left by Jamie Dishington was missed by Adamson as he was challenged by Blair Henderson at the near post. The ball flew across gol to the unmarked Mikey Allan at the far post and he had an easy task to net from close range. Spartans scored a second just before the half-time whistle. Kevin Waugh broke from the Spartans penalty box and passed to Cammy Russel on the right on the halfway line. Russel headed for goal and, while his initial cross was blocked, his second attempt from Waugh, who had continued his run into the box, twelve yards from goal in line with the far post. The defender headed back across goal into the far corner of the net to give Spartans a 2-0 half-time lead.

Spartans continued to have most of the ball in the second half with their keeper Blair Carswell almost a spectator. Both sides used a number of substitutes in the second half and this had the effect of breaking play. McFarland required lengthy treatment after a heavy fall following a collision withe a Cumbernauld defender. Thankfully he recovered but he must have had a bit of concussion as he almost scored when his shot from twenty-five yards flew just over the bar. McFarland is not renowned for his goalscoring and it was surprising to see him have a go. Spartans scored a third with around ten minutes to go. A corner from Russell from the right found Dishington at the far post. His initial header hit the post. However Dishington reacted quickly and chased the rebound before shooting into the net from the edge of the six yard box. Shortly afterwards Cumbernauld substitute Dylan Tennant received a second yellow card, and a subsequent red, leaving his side with little hope of a comeback with only ten men. 

The victory brought Spartans up to fourth place in the League and, with leaders East Kilbride losing at home to Cowdenbeath, they are hopeful of further progress up th table. I walked along to Crewe Toll and caught a 38 bus to Saughton Park where I waited to see my eldest son, James, finish an ultra marathon of 57.7 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh. He was annoyed that he only got a silver medal this year after finishing outside the top runners. After a gold medal lest year when he finish in the top fifty he is now vowing to do it again next year to get a second gold.I think I will continue watching football for my entertainment.

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Woods, Allan, Waugh, Watson, Armstrong, Dishington, Jones, Henderson, Russell, Maxwell.

Subs: McFarland, A. Brown, Penker, Laing, Herd

Cumbernauld Colts: Adamson, Dickson, G. Holmes, Hunter, C. Holmes, Tade, Ballam, McKnight, Ewen, Comerford, McGiff.

Subs: Johnstone, Holmes, McLaren, Tennant, McFarlane.