The final big bus journey of this season’s SPFL 2 campaign saw The Spartans make the 320 mile round trip north to Peterhead where they faced the league leaders in fine current form.
A blanket of blue sky over Balmoor welcomed the team bus at the ground, with the players following on foot, stretching off the bus legs for the remaining few hundred yards of the journey.
Gaffer Douglas Samuel made one change to the starting line up with Mark Stowe – who netted the winner the last time the teams met – swapping spots with Blair Henderson who took up a place on the bench.
It was a nervy start for both sides with players surrendering possession as quickly as they took hold of the ball and the pre-match pitch soaking making it look at times like slippers, not studs, were the footwear of choice, such was the sliding around on the neatly cut carpet.
Brogan Walls had the first sniff at goal but was denied by Stuart Mackenzie as he gathered at his near post following a neat exchange with Mark Stowe.
The only goal of the game came in the 18th minute. Cameron Smith was the beneficiary of the ball being passed to him on the periphery of the penalty box by Max Barry. Ayrton Sonkur’s endeavours to block partially unsighted Blair Carswell and the ball agonisingly squirmed under him to crawl over the line.
Spartans looked to reply via a long throw into the box by Cammy Russell. Sonkur nodded on however there were no takers and that elusive equaliser was still to be found.
HT: Peterhead 1-0 The Spartans
An opportunity five minutes after the break saw Mark Stowe sniffing around the area and his shot was on its way to test the keeper before David Wilson put in a timely block.
A couple of challenges brought benches and fans to their feet, or perhaps they simply fancied a chance to move around as the now fully shaded stand felt the mercury numbers dip.
Play raged from end to end but with limited end product for both sides, as has been the general thrust of outcomes between the teams this season.
Spartans introduced Blair Henderson for Mark Stowe just after the midway mark in the half.
Blair Carswell was called into action once again and the crowd appreciated both the Jason Brown header and save by The Cat in a rare breakout of noteworthy goalmouth action.
Another change for the tourists saw Liam Morgan come on for Brogan Walls.
Peterhead’s Peter Pawlett must have thought he’d doubled the lead with ten minutes left on the clock however he was met by Malt and Hops Man of the Match Carswell who again pulled off a tremendous stop.
A final substitution by the Spartans coaching team gave Arran Preston late minutes with Kieran Watson retiring to the technical area.
A bizarre incident in the bottom corner saw the ball run out of play with Cameron Smith shielding the ball, eating away at the limited time left. Arran Preston looked to collect to launch it up the park, only for a coming together of the two as they squared up to share pleasantries.
A quick look for the Peterhead Sniper offered little by way of clues to go on to explain the Blue Toon man subsequently hitting the deck holding his face.
Referee Greg Suttar took a dim view of the testosterone twins and offered them a booking each by way of warning to watch it!
One final opportunity to steal a point at the death came when Bradley Whyte was upended inside the Peterhead half. Cammy Russell’s free-kick was launched into the box but with just a little bit of extra purchase on the delivery sending it beyond the bevvy of bodies and behind.
FT: Peterhead 1-0 The Spartans
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Carswell
