Scottish Lowland League

Tuesday, November 10, 2021

Ainslie Park, Edinburgh

SPARTANS… 2

(Waugh 44, Dishington 90)

CELTIC… 1

(Dawson 27)

There was a sense of déjà vu as the Spartans scored in the 90^th minute, claiming a 2-1 win, in similar circumstances to when these two teams last met in October.

It was a lively few opening minutes of the midweek fixture with both teams creating chances for themselves early on.

Tsoanelo Letsosa won a free-kick outside the box on the left-side. Owen Moffat took the kick which found the head of Dylan Corr but the ball went high and wide.

Celtic were looking well organised and were seeking a breakthrough in the Spartans defence.

And in the 27^th minute the Celts had a successful breakthrough. Joey Dawson was given the ball through the middle from Ben Summers in the box and put the ball past the keeper with a classy finish.

The Hoops seemed comfortable on the ball and it wasn’t long before Ben Wylie sent an effort towards goal from distance, which flew over the bar by a metre.

Spartans then went on the hunt for an equaliser. One of their many corners found a Spartans body in the box but this time Ryan Mullen parried then protected the ball.

The Edinburgh team came charging again crossing a ball into the box, which was headed away by Benny-Jackson Luyeye.

The goal they’d been searching for came in the closing stages of the first-half after the Celtic keeper had to push the ball over his crossbar, giving Spartans a corner. Kevin Waugh was able to get his head on the corner kick and level the match before the break.

The second-half got off to a busy start with Spartans and Celtic creating opportunities near both goalmouths.

Moffat’s chance was blocked by the keeper who came out to stop the forward’s shot. He tried again crossing the ball in from the right wing which landed near Summers at the far post but he couldn’t get a quality touch on the ball.

Only minutes later the play was down at the other end of Ainslie Park where Mullen was earning his keep with a brilliant set of reaction saves keeping the Spartans at bay.

Both teams were trying for a winner with the game becoming very end-to-end.

However, late heartache struck again for Celtic as the hosts managed to grab a goal in the 90^th minute.

Jamie Dishington was there to fire the final blow and claim the three points for his team putting the Spartans into second place on the Lowland League table.

CELTIC: Mullen, Luyeye, Paterson, Easton, Corr, Murphy, Moffat, Wylie, Dawson, Letsosa (Deane), Summers.

SUBS: Robertson, Morrison, Dobbie, Kelly

Spartans claim all three points with last minute winner - again