A Mark Stowe goal set up a nail-biting grand finale at Tannadice as the SPFL 2 were edged by the odd goal in three by Premiership opponents Dundee United in the rescheduled Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Fifth Round tie.
After a welcome turn in the Tayside climate, it was finally game on as Douglas Samuel and Jim Goodwin went head-to-head in cup competition for the second time in three seasons, the previous encounter in the League Cup offering the then newly-promoted Spartans victory.
As was to be expected, the full-timers of Dundee United took the game to the tourists following the first shrill of referee Grant Irvine’s whistle. It was to be a busy wee pee as its tuneful tones filled the fresh February evening air in the opening stages.
Amar Fatah was up first with a yellow after curtailing Bradley Whyte’s early enthusiasm as the Spartans midfielder went on a run through the middle of the paddock.
United centre-half Iurie Iovu was then sent back to the sheds after only 12 minutes when he looked to abruptly halt Cammy Russell’s route towards goal, sending the Spartans playmaker sprawling on the sanded surface.
It was a decision the home faithful amongst the crowd of 4298 showed their disapproval over however with the absence of VAR, there was little more the man in tangerine could do than cut a lonely figure as he made his way up the tunnel.
An animal can sometimes be at its most dangerous when it is wounded and when Will Ferry’s corner kick found the head of skipper Ross Graham on the edge of a packed six-yard box, the headed opener was met with a mix of home support cheers of joy and relief.
Jordan Tapping found himself deep inside the United half and he fought off his man to put in a decent strike as Spartans looked to get back on level terms.
Ahead of the interval, Tapping was replaced by Kenzi Nair who took up his berth in the heart of the Spartans defence.
HT: Dundee United 1-0 The Spartans
A change of shape at the break saw Spartans start the second half brightly with Bradley Whyte creating an early opportunity in front of the decent sized travelling support.
After performing double tackle heroics inside his own box, Kenzi Nair went on a telling run that could have resulted in a nosebleed such was his venture deep into the home half. His pass looking for James Craigen just carried a little bit of added pace and a promising move became a let-off for the ten men in tangerine.
Shortly after, it was Craigen’s well weighted corner-kick that found the talismanic Ayrton Sonkur inside the penalty area however his header went agonisingly beyond the far post.
Inches away from the equaliser at one end shortly turned into a wider gap between the sides as a telling pass from Ivan Dolček found Amar Fatah who despatched home to make it 2-0.
Spartans made a double swap just before the hour mark with Murray Aiken and Mark Stowe replacing Sean Welsh and former United player Marc McNulty.
James Craigen, who celebrated his 500th professional game last Saturday, almost kicked off the next instalment with a goal, only for his fierce effort sting the gloves of Ashley Maynard-Brewer who pushed the attempt behind.
There were loud appeals for a Spartans penalty when Farrugia appeared to have a fistful of Cammy Russell’s jersey inside the box, forcing him to hit the deck before he was able to get to the ball to test Maynard-Brewer however there was little change from the remonstrations that were waved aside by the match officials.
Then, a Spartans breakthrough that very few inside the ground could have denied was deserved for their dogged determination. Mark Stowe picking up the ball from a Kenzi Nair pass and his effort was mildly deflected and swirled beyond the keeper into the net. Limbs in the away end and tired bodies rejuvenated on it with renewed hope of making further inroads.
Academy Graduate Archie Wylie replaced Jamie Dishington as the game entered its final ten minutes and Spartans took the game by the scruff of its neck in search of a potential game saving equaliser.
With one final throw of the dice, the strains of Arthur Montford in his sports jacket calling out a stramash in the penalty box were fitting to describe the action inside the United box as Murray Aiken looked to get in on the act only for his shot to be blocked.
A two goal window could very well have settled the tie but for a fine stop by Paddy Martin who saved well from Zac Sapsford.
Despite a brave rally by Douglas Samuel’s part-timers at the death, it was the hosts who progress to the Quarter Finals against Falkirk and The Spartans turn their attentions to domestic duties on the road to Stranraer on Saturday.
FT: Dundee United 2-1 The Spartans
The Spartans Scottish Gas Scottish Cup coverage is brought to you in association with IDM Associates.
[Written by Mark Brown]
