Spartans back from the brink

Spartans first-half substitute, defender Daniel O’Donnell, proved to be the Ainslie Park outfit’s saviour when – on the hour mark – he rose majestically in the Craigroyston penalty box to power a header beyond Dale Cornet and seal a win for the visitors.

Spartans had to dig on their deepest reserves to overturn a 2-0 half-time deficit in the first round of the South Region Challenge Cup.This cup tie was the proverbial game of two halves, although more precisely it was aboutthe opening 15 minutes of the second half when Craigroyston appeared overcome by stage fright and conceded three goals in a ten-minute spell.

The clubs may occupy different positions in the Premier and First divisions of the East Seniors League, although to the neutral observer there was no obvious difference in the quality of football played. Mark Antoni had an opportunity to put Craigroyston ahead in only the second minute when his near-post shot was well blocked by Chris Flockhart, while at the other end JackBeesley was a constant threat to the Craigroyston defence.

Greg Irvine caused the Spartans defence problems, particularly in the air, and he was unlucky to watch his header from an Andy Milligan cross drift over the bar.Craigroyston took the lead after 30 minutes when Spartans’ Alasdair MacKinnon had to stretch to make a passback that was intercepted by Irvine and the big striker managed to beat Flockhart to the ball and lift it gently and slowly before it trundled into the net at the far post.

Craigroyston then found themselves under pressure with Omar Kader, Dean Hoskins and Beesley all guilty of failing to trouble Cornet from good positions.

Seconds before half-time Craigroyston increased their advantage when an Irvine shot from 25 yards took a deflection and fell to the feet of Stephen Mullen, who steadied himself and rounded Flockhart before he rolled the ball over the line from eight yards despite the best efforts of Beesley.

As expected, Spartans came flying out of the traps and with only five minutes of the second half gone, a Robbie Manson cross to the back post picked out O’Donnell, who calmly flicked the ball to Chris Anderson, who finished from six yards.

Spartans pushed forward and eight minutes later a Kader low cross from the right appeared to be turned into his own net by Steven Finlayson under pressure from Beesley, who claimed the last touch was his.

It took only two more minutes for Spartans to edge in front when Anderson, from wide on the left, hit over an inch-perfect cross that O’Donnell headed into the net with aplomb from ten yards.

For the last 30 minutes the game evened out again and Craigroyston came close to forcing extra-time when a Keiran Dodd free-kick was only inches from Paul Russell’s head and Flockhart punched clear from Irvine before a Martin Laidlaw free-kick from 20 yards slipped over the crossbar.

O’Donnell, who came on as a substitute for the injured MacKinnon, said: “Both teams played well in the first half, in which we probably had the better possession, but Craigroyston scored two goals from two shots on target.

“However, we could not have started the second half any better. We scored two goals and then I gambled a bit hoping that Chris would put over a good cross, which he did and thankfully for me I got my head to it and the ball was in the net before their keeper could move.

“It was good for me to get a chance as I’ve only been getting five or ten minutes and then it was even better to score the winning goal.”

George Bowmaker, the Craigroyston manager, said: “Although I was obviously disappointed to lose, I was in no way disappointed with our performance. Our plan was to hold the ball and play football on the deck, which we did with the exception of the first ten minutes of the second half.

“Spartans are a good side and we ran them close. Our players did Craigroyston proud.”

Mike Lawson, Spartans co-manager, added: “I told my players at half-time to keep the faith and keep the pace up. After our first goal we then had the momentum and we showed great spirit, endeavour and skill. To come from behind makes the win seem so much sweeter”

Craigroyston: Cornet, Wallace, Milligan, Stewart, Russell, Lockhart (Dodd, 63), Finlayson, Laidlaw, Irvine (Herd, 86), Mullen, Antoni (Simpson, 75). Subs: Cameron, Budge.

Spartans: Flockhart, Fusco, Hoskins, Sivewright, MacKinnon (O’Donnell, 30), Malin, Kader (Bannon, 80), Manson, Anderson, Beesley, Henretty (C. Smith, 80). Subs: Finnie, R. Smith.

Craigroyston 2

Spartans 3

Source: Edinburgh Evening news