Marc McNulty put in a Malt and Hops Man of the Match hat-trick performance that guided The Spartans to a 4-0 victory over Annan Athletic at a dreich Vanloq Community Stadium.
There was an International feel across the ground with supporters travelling from Denmark and France whilst a Stag Do from across border took in the action.
Ahead of kick-off, Spartans gaffer Douglas Samuel was forced into a reshuffle of the pack with Jamie Dishington stepping up to the starting XI following the late withdrawal of Sean Welsh during the warm-up.
Neither goalkeeper was particularly troubled for the bulk of the opening half hour, with Cammy Russell’s blocked shot sent behind before it reach Annan stopper Charlie Albinson the highlight.
Mark Stowe did warm the gloves of Albinson with a well hit 25 yard free-kick as Spartans cranked up the pressure as the game trundled towards the interval.
The in-form striker was then the provider for Cammy Russell who could only look on in disbelief as his powerful header beat Albinson, only to be blocked on the line by the back-tracking Keith Watson.
Then, with the ink drying on the half time team-talk notes from the respective benches, Jake Davidson’s delightfully weighted cross found Marc McNulty in the box and his header gave Albinson little chance as it launched into the roof of the net.
HT: The Spartans 1-0 Annan Athletic
The second half got off to an explosive start, taking many fans who had taken time to retreat to the Café for half time heat and a tasty savoury treat by surprise.
Mark Stowe pounced on Darryl Carrick’s error to drive into the box and after the Annan man’s desperate attempts to thwart Stowe’s progress saw the Spartans man felled, Referee Duncan Williams pointed to the spot. Worse was to follow for Carrick who was to make an early return to the sheds following him being brandished a red card.
The aftermath at least allowed many to get in place in time (including your scribe!) for Marc McNulty to double his and Spartans tally to two from the spot.
Spartans had a sniff of further scoreboard activity and it was a matter of inches that denied Ayrton Sonkur from turning a Mark Stowe delivery into the Annan net.
The first of the changes came midway through the half with Murray Aiken and Steven Lawless entering the fray as they replaced Davidson and Craigen.
Mark Stowe notched up his 20th goal of the season in the 77th minute after Cammy Russell shaped up to shoot before his pass to Stowe saw the striker take a neat touch to offer himself an angle to deliver a sweet strike that extended the lead to three.
It was his final action of the afternoon, earning a rest in what’s a busy week ahead, joining Kenzi Nair in making way for Ethan Drysdale and Bailey Dall.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Spartans sealed the points and Marc McNulty added the match ball to his collection when he slotted his second penalty of the afternoon following a handball call.
One final swap saw Archie Wylie have a stretch of the legs with Bradley Whyte getting an extra rest ahead of Tuesday night’s rescheduled SPFL 2 fixture against Stirling Albion.
FT: The Spartans 4-0 Annan Athletic
Match Report: Mark Brown
