Goals from Blair Henderson and Ayrton Sonkur saw The Spartans extend their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-0 victory over Elgin City on a dreich night at Borough Briggs in their midweek rescheduled fixture.
The opening exchanges saw the hosts with the bulk of possession as they looked to turn round their recent poor form however their luck continued to elude them in front of goal, with a mix of fine saves from the in-form Blair Carswell and a resolute defence, with Man of the Match Kieran Watson putting in a crucial block to deny Elgin the opener.
Even when the home side were able to break through and put the ball into the Spartans net, Golding’s effort was ruled out for offside.
It felt like lady luck had travelled north on the Spartans team bus and the game was turned on its head when a free kick by Cammy Russell fell into the path of Blair Henderson who got his head to be ball before it appearing to take an age to find the net as it looped over the Elgin keeper’s despairing dive.
HT: Elgin City 0-1 The Spartans
Manager Douglas Samuel made a couple of changes at the interval with Cammy Russell and Liam Morgan replaced by Jamie Dishington and Lewis Hunter.
Spartans seemed to be stronger and more composed going forward after the break, putting Elgin on the back foot as they looked to put further light between the sides on a miserable night that saw the rain start to come down in sheets as the game progressed.
That second goal came in the 73rd minute. James Craigen’s delivery into the Elgin penalty box was headed back into the mix by Captain Kevin Waugh to find Ayrton Sonkur who wrapped his foot round the ball to drive hard and home into the net from close range.
Elgin looked to piece together a late rally for a last gasp lifeline to set up a grandstand finale however this was not to materialise and Spartans held on to pull off a smash and grab result on the road.
It’s a win that sees the team pull level with Elgin in that sought after fourth and final promotion play-off place.
FT: Elgin City 0-2 The Spartans
Match Report by Mark Brown & Chantelle Davie
