Second half strikes from Rhys Armstrong and Cammy Russell saw Spartans beat Bo’ness United 2-0 in a solid performance by Dougie Samuel’s side.
Tea-time signing Kieran Watson made the short hop from FC Edinburgh to join his new team-mates and he was on the bench along with Blair Henderson who returned to the side.
As the sun dipped behind the neighbouring flats, Spartans kicked-off, heading towards the Bar which had earlier hosted some 50 supporters for fine Academy hospitality and a great Q&A with Spartans Legends Donal Henretty and Mark Burns.
An early enthusiastic, but unrealistic appeal by the furious Max Christie in the Bo’ness dug out for a penalty was waved aside with no second thought by Referee Graves.
The woodwork was to come to visiting keeper Musa Dibaga’s rescue in the 25th minute when a free-kick to the back post found the lurking Jamie Dishington and his powerful header cannoned off the upright and away to safety.
Allasan Jones was proving to be a bit of a handful and the Bo’ness lad made Blair Carswell work hard to get down low to pull off a fine stop.
Neither side could make that decisive breakthrough and the players headed to the sheds for further instruction from their respective Gaffers.
HT: The Spartans 0-0 Bo’ness United
Dougie Samuel made a change at the break with Alan Brown coming on for Michael Herd.
There was barely enough time to lick those half time lips from the devouring off the Bain’s of Stenhouse pies before Spartans took the lead.
The visitors will look back on how they could have dealt with the ball in a more effective fashion however it was Rhys Armstrong who came up with the goodies and hammered home the opener.
It got even better for the hosts and this time with a bit of lady luck thrown into the bargain too.
Jordan Tapping causing a nuisance in the box and the ball broke to Cammy Russell on the edge of the box who struck the half volley low towards Dibaga. The keeper looked to have it covered however it slipped from his grasp and he could only look on in what must have felt like slow motion as the ball crawled over the line.
Spartans made another change on the hour mark with Kieran Watson making his debut, replacing the industrious Sean Brown.
There was concern for Blair Carswell who required treatment after being unceremoniously flattened in an aerial challenge, but the magic sponge worked wonders and he was back in action shortly after.
Lovely fast flowing football saw a tantalising interaction between Mikey Allan, Cammy Russell and it was a decent stop by Dibaga to deny Sam Jones.
Kieran Watson wasn’t long in getting his name known, or indeed taken, when just 14 minutes into his Spartans career who picked up a booking for a foul.
Bo’ness looked for a way through the home defence to set up a grandstand finale but there was simply no way through the rock solid back division.
Spartans made two further swaps before the end of the game, with Ian McFarland replacing Rhys Armstrong whilst Blair Henderson came on for Cammy Russell.
FT: The Spartans 2-0 Bo’ness United
Malt and Hops Man of the Match : Jordan Tapping
