The Spartans completed their KDM Evolution Trophy group stage campaign with a 5-2 victory over Aberdeen B at a dreich Vanloq Community Stadium.
Personnel changes have been a healthy feature in the tournament with Blair Carswell continuing his cup run between the sticks whilst Keiran Watson led the team out. Meanwhile, there was a splash of youth in the side, with Given Ndlovu and Archie Wylie in the starting XI and Development Squad players Calan Innes, Ola Benson and Christopher Mill on the bench.
It was Ndlovu who was first to look lively in the rain when his burst past the defender saw him swing in a cross that just offered too much height for Cammy Russell who rose like a salmon but just couldn’t connect.
The visitors, seeking their first group stage win, took the lead in the 16th minute. It looked like Bailey Dall had done enough to get the challenge in tight on the byline but in the tackle, Jack Searle somehow managed to loop right across the face of the goal and into the net.
Worse was to follow as the biblical rain lashed down. The young Dons side winning a corner which evaded the defence and Dylan Ross popped up at the back post to guide home.
It didn’t take long before Spartans narrowed the deficit. A free-kick from out wide by Cammy Russell was delivered deep into the Aberdeen box and Bailey Dall was up in the air to nip in front of the keeper to nod into the empty net.
With the game cantering towards half time, Spartans were to equalise. A thumping strike by Marc McNulty was parried by Nick Suman only for Bailey Dall to swoop on the rebound, send it back across the face of the goal for Given Ndlovu to swivel and shoot to get his side level at the break.
HT: The Spartans 2-2 Aberdeen B
A change at the interval saw Mark Stowe replace Marc McNulty and there was a further change seven minutes later when Ethan Drysdale came on for Keiran Watson.
Mark Stowe looked to weave and twist his way past red wall of defenders on the edge of the box and looked to have been upended for his troubles however, much to his frustration, there was no free-kick and instead, a yellow for alleged simulation.
The pendulum swung in Spartans favour in the 63rd minute. Given Ndlovu collecting the ball inside the box before twisting and turning with aplomb to find Cammy Russell clear in front of goal to tap home from close range.
It was the same deadly duo who combined to put further light between the sides shortly after. Given Ndlovu’s direct drive into the penalty area saw him upended offering Referee Jordan Curran his easiest decision of the evening. Cammy Russell stepping up and blasting home from 12 yards.
There was a 1st XI debut for Development Squad player Ola Benson when he came on midway through the half to replace Cammy Russell.
Benson was joined by his Under 20s team mate Christopher Mill who also made his Senior Debut replacing Bradley Whyte.
Ethan Drysdale almost scored a wonder solo effort he’d have dined out on for years after collecting the ball inside his own half, making a route one run like a gazelle into the Dons box only for the keeper to come racing off his line to spread big and save.
With the game in its final moments, Malt and Hops Man of the Match Given Ndlovu set up Mark Stowe who cut back inside to let fly from 20 yards offering Suman little chance with a strike hit with pace that nestled in the net.
FT: The Spartans 5-2 Aberdeen B
