11/09/2015  |  League Cup

Spartans   2  v  2  Cumbernauld Colts

SLFL U20 Development League Cup
Friday 11th September 2015, KO 19.45
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh

After Spartans excellent display against the Colts 1st team two days earlier, the young Colts travelled to the impressive Ainslie Park expecting a tough evening and hoping to show the team from the capital that the heart of the Colts was still beating.

The game kicked off and Spartans quickly came on the attack. A mix up in the Colts defence nearly gifted the home side an early lead however the Colts survived the scare and worked their way back into a game that was being played at a terrific pace. With both teams battling to gain the upper hand, a fantastic passing move saw the Colts take the lead. The youngsters built a move from the back involving numerous passes which resulted in Pirrie firing home. In the ensuing few minutes Pirrie almost had a hatrick as two further efforts struck the woodwork as Spartans fought to stay in the game.

Spartans recovered their composure and gradually came back into the game and midfielder McGaraghan felled an opponent in the box. The Spartans striker missed the target from the resultant spot kick and the Colts went into the break with the lead.

Half time 0-1

The second half started at the same pace as both teams went at one another with no shortage of good football. Midway through the half Colts scored another superb goal. Fergus played a superb 40 yard diagonal pass from the left which found Pirrie coming in from the right. He then played a lovely cushioned volley into the path of the on rushing McKay and the striker dispatched it beyond the keeper.

Spartans to their credit continued to play their passing game and never gave up hope. They got their reward with 7 minutes left when a bit of indiscipline on the left hand side of the Colts defence allowed a cross to come into the box and the Spartans striker managed to bundle the ball in at the back post. The young Colts then showed their inexperience at this level and stopped trying to pass and began to play in a much more direct fashion. However this resulted in them giving the ball back to Spartans to easily when a bit of composure would have seen the game out.

In the final minute of the game Spartans snatched an equaliser. Again poor defending on the left hand side allowed Spartans to break and a cross found the on rushing striker to come in at the back post. A valiant sliding tackle by Bateman almost rescued the situation but lady luck did not shine on the youngsters and the ball broke for Spartans to tuck it home.

Full Time 2- 2

Overall a great game of football for any neutral to watch and a great advert for the under 20 development league. Both teams were a credit to their clubs in the manner they played the game and their sporting enthusiasm.

The youngsters were disappointed not to have won the game after being 2-0 up however another learning curve and they continue to develop. They scored two tremendous goals and are competing well.