A youthful Spartans side ran League 1 outfit Montrose close in the rescheduled KDM Evolution Trophy played at neutral Balmoral Stadium on a chilly Monday evening.
Blair Carswell returned between the sticks whilst there were debuts in the starting XI, a combined age of 229, for u20s players Finlay Hoy & Niall McFadden Combined starting XI age of 229.
Spartans were to weather the early storm however it took just nine minutes for the opener for Montrose.
Despite going behind, the reaction from Douglas Samuel’s side was swift with enterprising play from Given Ndlovu who raced up the middle of the park hurdling challenges on the way. He looked to release Mackie Scott only for a pesky Mo man at the back to recover possession and clear the decks.
Finlay Hoy, watched from the stand by his Dad Euan, a former Spartan, went on a galloping run through the middle of the park. His progression looked to have been curtailed by a slightly misjudged challenge but there was no foul on offer for the teenager.
A teasing ball across the face of Blair Carswell’s goal almost found Lyon however it was to skid away on the moistened synthetic surface from the Mo man.
Spartans came close twice before the interval. First up saw Ndlovu set up Benson who was team tackled by a pair of defenders as he unleashed his shot.
Then the same pair combined moments later after Ndlovu reached the byline, squared to Benson who looked on agonisingly as his shot hit the post before it crawled across the face of the goal with no takers.
HT: Montrose 1-0 The Spartans
Half time change saw Bruno Pilch make his senior debut as he came on for Benson.
Great hold up play and pass on the turn by Ndlovu then released Archie Wylie into the box but a telling tackle denied the Spartans man.
After knocking on the Montrose door, Spartans got their reward with an equaliser of sublime quality.
Murray Aiken collected the ball on the edge of the area, went crabbing along the 18 yard line before unleashing an unstoppable drive that left the Montrose keeper no chance.
Before the restart, Calan Innes was the next player to make his senior debut, with the Under 20s skipper replacing Watson.
Next up to earn his senior stripes was Tyler Brown who replaced the industrious Mackie Scott.
An inswinging corner by Bruno Pilch needed to be tapped over the bar by the keeper as Spartans dared to dream.
However it was the Grinch of Montrose Blair Lyons who stole Christmas from the young Spartans, who ended the tie with all but keeper Carswell aged 21 or under, with a 75th minute goal.
Spartans pressed hard as they looked to take the game to penalties and it wasn’t far away after some good hold up play by Pilch who laid off to Ndlovu. His 20 yard strike had the power but it’s went straight down the keeper’s throat.
Kieran Herd made a great block as the game entered its dying stages however there was to be no late dramatic twist and with that, the Spartans bowed out of the trophy but not without earning the plaudits.
FT: Montrose 2-1 The Spartans
