The Spartans 2 Queen’s Park 1 – Spiders pay Penalty in Pilton

QUEEN’S PARK lost to a late penalty as The Spartans came from behind to consign the Spiders to defeat.

The Vanloq Community Stadium in the north of Edinburgh was site of Sean Crighton’s last competitive game as a player – and his first as a full-time head coach.

But his Premier Sports Cup campaign didn’t start with the same success his playing days at Dumbarton ended with 14 months ago in the League One play-offs.

A late header from Spartans’ substitute Bailey Dall then Cameron Russell’s penalty overturned Josh Fowler’s first half strike.

The Spiders had led for the majority thanks to the well-taken opener and an altogether bright first half. 

Alongside Michael Ruth, Fowler looked sharp from the off and he almost got the final touch to a testing ball from his strike partner after just three minutes. It swirled into the goalmouth, a yard in front of Fowler and still forced Paddy Martin into a save.

Calum Ferrie had to do likewise and punch clear when a header by Ayrton Sonkur bounced threateningly from a James Craigen delivery.

But it was Queen’s Park who always looked the likelier to score.

A short while afterwards, Ruth played in Aidan Connolly on the left wing, Josh Fowler sprinted beyond his marker for the front post run and was picked out. The striker got a touch to guide the ball into the corner of the net – but didn’t get enough contact and the ball scraped just wide.

Although the Spiders’ supporters chanted ‘The Ruth is on Fire’ throughout the first half, the heat of Glasgow was not matched in Edinburgh with the haar from the Forth cooling the temperatures at the Vanloq Community Stadium.

Referee Chris Graham still called for a water-break on 30 minutes though and immediately after it Fowler clipped a ball into the path of Henry Fieldson who breezed into the box, but his shot was chested out by the goalkeeper.

Then 35 minutes in they switched roles and the summer signing finally converted the goal his play had warranted. Fieldson cut in from the left and fed Carlo Pignatiello. His low ball into the box was controlled and tucked away by Josh Fowler for the go ahead goal.

That Queen’s led at the actual break was down to Calum Ferrie though. He made a massive save with three minutes of the first half left as Henderson got between the three centre-backs and turned Bradley Whyte’s ball from the Queen’s left at goal – but Ferrie kicked it away.

That’s how it stayed at the interval and for a while after it, as neither team made a change or many inroads towards goal.

Fieldson drew a shout from the crowd for a penalty on the hour-mark but Chris Graham waved play on.

Jamie Bradley had earned a place in the midfield from his pre-season performances and went close to curling in a goal on his full debut with 20 minutes to go.

Ruth went close too five minutes later when Fowler clipped a ball to the backpost and the striker connected but Martin was sharp to keep it out at his post and the linesman raised a flag in the meantime.

Those chances came back to haunt in the closing stages though after the Spiders had pitched in Roddy Macgregor and Timam Scott at the next water-break.

And just as at the end of the first half, Ferrie was called into action with ten to go in the second. He gathered a close-range effort from Henderson after sub Dall’s cross.

But he was beaten with seven minutes to go when a miscontrol at the back from Charlie Fox allowed Cameron Russell to deliver to the back-post and Bailey Dall rose highest to send the game towards penalties.

Or so it seemed. There was a further twist to come as Spartans pressed for a winner and found it from a penalty conceded by Timam Scott and despatched by Russell.

Even in the final throes Michael Ruth had another chance scrambled off the line but the opening competitive game ended in a late defeat for the Spiders.

SPARTANS: Martin, Watson, K.Waugh, Booth (Dall 77), Dishington, Welsh (Walls 67), Henderson, Russell, Sonkur, Craigen (M.Scott 77), Whyte.

Subs: Carswell, Ndlovu, Trialist.
Booked: Booth

QUEEN’S PARK: Ferrie, Fieldson, Murray, Fox, Longridge, Ruth, Connolly (T.Scott 77), Pignatiello, Fowler, Bradley (Macgregor 77), Shiels. 
Subs: Wills, Carrick, R.Waugh, McDonnell, McGinlay, Drozd, Burke.

Booked: Fox