Les Atkinson’s Under 20s side added the Combined Challenge Cup to their recent undefeated League Title after a 4-0 win over West Conference side Knightswood at the Indodrill Stadium, Alloa on Friday night.
After the heartache of surrendering League Cup ownership to Alloa earlier in the week, the young Spartans side bounced back with gusto against the relatively unknown quantity from Glasgow.
Despite nearly three weeks of unrivalled sunshine across Scotland, the curtain came down on the season under a blanket of rain that lasted throughout the clash, making the carpet a little bit more zippier than artificial surfaces have been of late.
With the demands of two finals in 72 hours, the Gaffer made personnel changes to the starting XI, with Callum Barlow replacing Dan Hart between the sticks and Duncan Proudfoot getting the nod up front ahead of this season’s top scorer Euan McEvoy-Folland.
A decent crowd welcomed the sides out onto the field and continued to their vocal encouragement – laced with some unnecessary and excessive fruity language – as the game got underway in as to be expected, frantic fashion.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the early exchanges, plenty passing, loads of passion but neither keeper troubled in a passage of play that could have seen all outfield players covered by a metaphorical blanket across the middle of the paddock.
Spartans started to get into a bit of a rhythm and crosses were being fired into the box from wide positions however the Knightswood keeper was equal to the task.
His next involvement saw him rush of his line as Lewis Service broke the offside trap. Diving at the Spartans midfielder’s feet, there appeared to be contact as the ball was flicked both over his gloves and the crossbar. No goal and no penalty either for Service’s endeavours.
A break in play shortly after saw a stricken Knightswood defender require treatment for leaked claret from a facial injury following a hoofed clearance catching him square on the coupon from close range.
It was in fact one of few on target efforts recorded from either side in a tense first half in the rain.
HT: Spartans 0-0 Knightswood
Whatever was said in the Spartans sheds at the break inspired Les Atkinson’s charges from the off and a quick double whammy turned the final on its head.
First up, a moment of mayhem/madness/magic* (delete as applicable) saw Captain Fantastic Jake Cunningham collect the ball on halfway, race up the middle of the park like a Thoroughbred Pony into the Knightswood box. With the lure of having a pop at goal himself likely on his mind, a moment of selflessness saw the skipper square the ball to Duncan PROUDFOOT who swept the ball home.
With the Spartans contingent in the stand in raptures at what they’d just witnessed, they had further cause to celebrate some sixty seconds later. Adri Anagnostou was the architect down the flank, sending the ball in for Duncan PROUDFOOT to score his second of the night to put further light between the sides.
It was almost three shortly after when Anagnostou’s cross found Lewis Service but whilst his looping header beat the keeper, it crept inches wide of the goal frame.
The first of the substitutions from the Spartans bench came on the hour mark with Calum Malcolm replacing Lewis Service.
Knightswood looked to get back into the game and it took a solid shift by the Spartans defence to keep them at bay.
Then, midway through the second stanza, James Clare raced onto a lay-off by Max Williamson and was upended as he entered the box for the easiest decision of the night. Max WILLIAMSON stepped up and despite his initial effort being saved, he swopped on the rebound like a seagull on chips to add to the Spartans tally.
Frustrations started to see as some agricultural challenges enter the game and the Referee’s jotter was busier than it had been previously.
As the game entered its final stages, Spartans made a series of changes. Euan McEvoy-Folland replaced Duncan Proudfoot, Kyle McNeil swapped with Max Williamson whilst Denzel Ndlovu changed spots with Archie Wylie.
With the sands of time ticking down, Kyle McNeil went on a rampaging run. He selflessly shipped the ball to Euan McEVOY-FOLLAND who somehow managed to squeeze the ball past the diving keeper and over the line.
FT: Spartans 4-0 Knightswood
JB Contracts Man of the Match: Duncan Proudfoot
