The Spartans bounce backed from their narrow midweek defeat at League One Cove as they defeated Brechin City 2-0 in the penultimate Premier Sports Cup Group A tie.
Manager Douglas Samuel freshened things up with the playing personnel with no fewer than seven changes from the side that travelled to Aberdeen on Tuesday night. Kenzi Nair made his ‘starting debut’ following his recent move from Hearts.
Summer football in Scotland can be the biggest of oxymorons at times, a decidedly dreich day with the floodlights on for this 3pm kick-off and forecasted thunderstorms (that thankfully failed to materialise).
Sean Welsh led the team out from the sheds, the temporary custodian of the coveted Captain’s armband with the omission of Kevin Waugh from the side.
Both sides had equal possession and similarly as much final third penetration in the opening exchanges however there was nothing on offer to trouble the scoreboard.
That almost changed when a fierce drive from Kieran Watson appeared to slide through the gloves of Craig Hepburn however he managed somehow to get enough on the ball to directed over the bar.
Mark Stowe looked to capitalise on a delightful through ball from the feet of Mackie Scott but was unable to get it under control in time to trouble the keeper.
Some talk of a team parking the bus when looking to shore up their defence. It was almost a case of the visitors bringing along their magnificent hedge and planting it across the middle of their half as the Ray McKinnon’s side appeared to settle in for the afternoon with a counter attack option their source of searching for their first goal of the campaign.
The stubborn show of resistance did finally get unpicked and perhaps mildly fortuitously so. Mark Stowe cutting in from wide to find space at the edge of the area where his well hit effort took a deflection, leaving Hepburn hamstrung and the ball whizzing into the net.
HT: The Spartans 1-0 Brechin City
One change at the break for the hosts saw James Craigen replace Jamie Dishington.
A bout of aerial ping-pong broke out inside the Brechin penalty box as another Spartans attack was launched. A half clearance came out to Mark Stowe who looked on as his powerful return just collected too much trajectory and cleared the bar.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Kieran Watson’s headband was leading a charmed life as it was almost taken off his napper when the defender got in the way of a powerful strike to send it behind for a corner.
Spartans made a further swap, this time a double change with Cammy Russell and Blair Henderson replacing Whyte and Scott.
Then, midway through the half, the hosts were to put further light between the side. A corner swung into the packed box saw Blair Henderson cause problems for the Brechin defenders and unfortunately for the visitors, Sheridan was to rise highest and flicked the ball beyond the posse in the penalty area and it flew into the net.
A two-goal cushion then saw Archie Wylie and Given Ndlovu introduced, replacing Walls and Stowe.
Cammy Russell came close to further extending the scoreline but for a fine flying save by Hepburn who turned a free-kick behind.
Blair Henderson then looked to link up with Archie Wylie inside the box and the talented teenager came close to getting himself a goal.
FT: The Spartans 2-0 Brechin City
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Sean Welsh
