Mark Stowe’s double guided The Spartans to a second clean sheet victory on the bounce at the Vanloq Community Stadium as they defeated Stirling Albion 2-0 in their rescheduled SPFL 2 clash.
Spartans Gaffer Douglas Samuel made one change from the starting XI that enjoyed a 4-0 win over Annan at the weekend with Ethan Drysdale coming in for Kenzi Nair and there was a return to the bench for Callum Booth.
The early running was made by the hosts, with Cammy Russell coming close within seconds of the kick-off followed by Mark Stowe’s effort narrowly clearing the bar within the opening three minutes.
Marc McNulty’s turn of pace then took him to the bye-line before sending a low pass into the path of Bradley Whyte who saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Patience is a virtue they say and after a dominant half hour, Spartans finally broke the deadlock and it was as route one as the come.
Paddy Martin launching the ball up the park, Marc McNulty leaping like an energetic salmon to nod into the path of Mark Stowe who, despite a bit of manhandling, managed to stay upright and tap the ball beyond Derek Gaston to open the scoring.
HT: The Spartans 1-0 Stirling Albion
Akin to the opening moments at the weekend, Spartans almost had the perfect start to the second half when Cammy Russell won the ball in midfield, sent Marc McNulty on a run whilst making headway himself into the box to receive the returned pass and let fly to rattle the crossbar.
It didn’t take long before that lead was doubled however as Marc McNulty split the Stirling Albion defence with an incredible pass that required exceptional vision that unleashed Mark Stowe who outraced Binos skipper Lee Hamilton to ease the ball beyond Gaston.
The assist from McNulty his ninth of the season in the league taking him to the top of the SPFL 2 rankings, whilst it was Stowe’s 16th of the campaign, pushing him to pole position in the scoring charts.
Spartans made a trio of changes midway through the half with Keiran Watson, Murray Aiken and Steven Lawless replacing Bradley Whyte, Marc McNulty and Jake Davidson.
Steven Lawless came close to opening his Spartans account when his effort was blocked in the box. The rebound fell to Cammy Russell who sent a cross with pace across the face of the goal but there was no big team mate toe to guide it home.
Ryan Shanley came close to setting up a grandstand finish as his 80th minute deft flick clipped Paddy Martin’s crossbar.
There was time for another pair of Spartans subs when Kenzi Nair and Bailey Dall came on for Stowe and Drysdale.
One final chance for the host came when Jamie Dishington managed to release the ball before being unceremoniously clattered, sending Cammy Russell on a footrace against Connor Campbell. Russell slid in to push the ball beyond Gaston but could only look on as it whizzed past the post.
FT: The Spartans 2-0 Stirling Albion
Words: Mark Brown
