KILSYTH SHOW SPARTANS THE WAY TO GOAL AT PEFFERMILL

SPARTANS were given a lesson in the art of goal-scoring by top rated Central Scotland Amateur League outfit Kilsyth at Peffermill. The visiting side are currently second in the premier division table in this amateur set-up and they looked a very good side indeed as they picked up all three points in a 3-1 win against the home combine on one of the immaculate pitches at the Edinburgh University Sports Ground.

Kilsyth were leading 3-0 as the game went in to the closing minutes and it was only then that Spartans managed to find the back of the net and it looked a real fluke as Jamie Calder sent a great cross in to the goalmouth from the right and the ball completely deceived Kilsyth keeper, Tom Cadbury, and landed in the back of the net at the far post! I don't think Calder meant to score, but they all count!

The number of chances the home side failed to get on target was amazing, with shot after shot flying wide of the target or over the bar. Kilsyth, on the other hand, made much better use of the ball in this game and they also looked dangerous and capable of scoring when on the attack. The first of the visiting side's three goals came when Spartans' keeper, Jim Kellacher, raced off his line to the right of his goal and he failed to gather the ball, leaving Gary Christie, to plant the ball in the empty net. It was a bad goal to lose but it was an example in the difference between the two side.

While Spartans worked hard, they lost the ball needlessly at times and their shooting was way off target, with the Kilsyth keeper not really tested enough. The vital spark was missing from Spartans' play, while Kilsyth continued to set up good attacking moves. The Spartans defenders were effective in breaking down most of the moves, but their forwards continued to miss opportunities to square the game at the other end of the pitch. And it was the visiting side again, who showed the way to goal, with a quick break up the left finished off brilliantly by Kevin McHendry to make it 2-0. At the other end, Keith Boyes sent a great ball in to the Kilsyth goalmouth, but Paul Sutherland fired his shot away over the top of the ball to waste another opportunity.

The play flowed from end to end and it was the Kilsyth keeper who produced a wonderful double save from Calder then Bryan Hawkins, to keep his goal intact. But the score was still 2-0 for Kilsyth at the break. It had been a frustrating first half in front of goal for the home outfit and they continued to be shot-shy in the second period again. Spartans worked hard to put the visiting defence under pressure in the opening stages of the second half but Kilsyth broke away up the left with Christie showing great control and close skills as the cut through the Spartans defence before being floored in the box by Sutherland for a penalty. McHendry gave Kellacher no chance of saving his brilliantly struck spot-kick.

That was a sore goal to lose and to add to Spartans woes in the second half, the visitors were effective in catching the home attack offside and as the frustration grew, the challenges became tougher. The game became a wee bit untidy with players going down in tackles and referee Scott Brown's yellow card made regular appearances. Christie had a good chance to add to Kilsyth's total, but he chose to have a go at goal himself, while Tom Malone was better placed in front of goal. Sutherland then came upfield to see a great attempt blocked by the legs of the Kilsyth keeper and that was followed by Calder's cross-cum-shot from the right landing in the back of the Kilsyth net to make it 3-1.

Sutherland was the hero for Spartans as he blocked a net-bound shot from Malone after a great cut-back to the Kilsyth striker from Stewart Coleman on the right. In the closing minutes, the Kilsyth No 9, Kevin Meechan, was floored in an off-the-ball incident involving Jimmy Rae. That disgraceful incident sparked fury on the visiting touchlines and several spectators ran on to the pitch while Meechan had to be restrained by two of his team-mates.

The match official, to his credit, was in control of the situation and he soon cleared the field and allowed the game to continue for the remaining minutes with no one punished. Even after the final whistle, the Kilsyth contingent were still seething! It spoiled the atmosphere at the end of a tough game won, by the better side on the day. Certainly, when it came to scoring goals! Kilsyth look to be a very well organised team with several very good footballers in their ranks. Spartans never got going and it was a disappointing show from them.