The Spartans headed north on their 380 mile round trip to Elgin determined to maintain their 100% away record in the league. Manager Douglas Samuel reverted to the ‘Saturday’ team but with one change. Marc McNulty returning to the starting XI with Mark Stowe taking up a berth on the bench.
Spartans started the brighter of the two teams and an early shot from Dishington was gathered easily by Ritchie the Elgin goal. Next a fine through ball from Welsh split the Elgin centre halves and Whyte had a clear run on goal. Unfortunately, his shot was well saved by the keeper. A pass splitting the centre halves was to be portent of what was to come later.
In what was their first real attack in the game, Elgin took the lead. Welsh was penalised for a foul in his own half. From the resultant free-kick the ball bounced around the six-yard box. Before a Spartans boot could clear the ball, it was lashed into the net by Draper.
Spartans tactic of quick balls behind the defence began to cause to cause problems and on the stroke of half-time a ball from Whyte split the centre-halves and found its way to McNulty. Sparky collected the ball, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into net.
Half time Elgin City 1 The Spartans 1
The second half continued at the same manic pace as the first half. There was an early chance for McNulty as a long throw found its way into the six yard box and his header was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
The homesters were coming more into the game but were restricted to long shots and hopeful crosses. One such shot from Dingwall flew narrowly over the bar.
On the hour mark Spartans took the lead. Dishington and Craigen worked an opening on the right wing and Craigen fired the ball into box. It was met on the half volley by McNulty, who gave the keeper no chance.
Dangerman Kane Hester was giving the Spartans defence problems, and it took a save by Martin at Hester’s feet to preserve the lead.
After a spate of substitutions by both teams the game began to open up and there was more space for the forward to exploit. It was one of the Spartans subs who was to use this space to the full. Mark Stowe had come on to replace the hard-working McNulty and with 10 minutes of the game to go he raced onto, surprise, surprise! a through ball which split the centre halves!
This time it was a pass from Dishington and Stowe made no mistake to get his 10th goal of the season.
There was still time for Elgin throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Spartans goal. Their efforts were rewarded when an O’Connor shot was stabbed in at the back post by fellow sub Sargent.
Despite these efforts, Spartans held on for a well-deserved win on the road.
Elgin City 2 The Spartans 3
The Malt and Hops Man of the Match was double scorer Marc McNulty for a hard-working performance topped off with 2 fine goals.
(Match Report by Stuart Skakle)
(Picture courtesy of Bob Crombie)
