Paddy Martin’s Man of the Match double spot-kick stop exploits helped earn The Spartans a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 5th Round tie against Dundee United as they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle after 120 minutes offered a stalemate at the Vanloq Community Stadium.
Douglas Samuel made just the one change from the side that defeated Dumbarton with Murray Aiken replacing the suspended Bradley Whyte whilst former Spartans Youth player Oscar McIntyre – who scored midweek against Partick Thistle – was on the bench for the visitors.
There were hearts in mouths amongst the home support in a crowd of 858 after only three minutes. Paddy Martin came racing out to the edge of the box to head the ball clear. It fell to Billy McKay who launched it goal bound, only to find Ayrton Sonkur’s gargantuan frame blocking progress on the line.
Against their lofty opponents, Spartans sought to make the most of their forays into the tourists danger area and when Marc McNulty turned his man to reach the byline, his cross eventually found Mark Stowe, only for his effort to be blocked.
The strains of Arthur Montford’s commentary were undoubtedly there to describe an almighty stramash inside the Spartans penalty area after an Alfie Stewart corner saw the ball hit legs as if they were levers on a pinball machine before Danny Devine’s final attempt was blocked.
With the pie queues snaking round the perimeter, Paddy Martin was called upon to make a wonderous save from Billy McKay inside the box in the final action of the first half.
HT: The Spartans 0-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
No changes within the Spartans ranks at the interval and it took a while for things to get out of neutral as the second half meandered along without much menace at either end.
Two chances at either end in the space of a minute did offer both sets of fans something to warm their hands about as the temperature dipped across the capital.
Mark Stowe and Marc McNulty combining before Murray Aiken took a tumble inside the box with nothing on offer from the match officials. From the clearance, the ball worked its way up field and it took a full length diving stop from Paddy Martin to keep the scores level.
Stowe was then in the box ready to shoot only for a sliding challenge to deny the in-form Spartans striker.
A welcome return to first team action saw Cammy Russell replace the industrious Murray Aiken midway through the half.
The crossbars at both ends were next to be brought into the action, with Paddy Martin tipping Adam Mackinnon’s effort onto it and over, before James Craigen’s half volley saw the woodwork wobble like your writer on a treadmill.
Marc McNulty then thought he was through on goal with the keeper to beat, only to be pulled back by the Referee after he was alleged to have given the defender a big tug in the middle of the park to gain an advantage.
A double swap with ten to go saw Kevin Waugh and Bailey Dall introduced at the expense of Drysdale and Stowe who had emptied their collective tanks.
With train timetables being checked and the scoreboard into overtime, one final launch by the visitors saw the ball headed into the net by Jordan Alonge but the Caley celebrates were quickly curtailed by the Assistant Referee.
FT: The Spartans 0-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Extra Time came, extra went. Mackie Scott replaced Marc McNulty and Ayrton Sonkur’s buttocks were crucial in blocking a netbound shot.
As the additional 30 minute drew to a close, the announcement that Paddy Martin was the Malt & Hops Man of the Match was either a reflection on his epic showing thus far or the sponsor’s premonition of what we were about to receive.
ET FT: The Spartans 0-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
PENALTY SHOOT OUT.
The lottery of penalties was to decide the first meeting of the sides.
James Craigen slotted home the first to much delight. Paddy Martin then pulled off his first stop before Cammy Russell doubled the advantage. Then Martin pulled off a replica save to build up a comfort zone on the scoreboard.
Jamie Dishington put Spartans on the cusp of the 5th Round with a delightful finish before ICT scored their first. Spartans could afford the luxury of Mackie Scott seeing his effort saved and the visitors making it 3-2 before ice cold Kenzi Nair sent Ross Munro the wrong way before wheeling away to celebrate with the stampeding Spartans racing from the half way line in jubilation.
Penalties: The Spartan 4-2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
