06/02/2016  |  League

Spartans   4  v  1  Cumbernauld Colts

Colts travelled to face top of table Spartans at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh on a fine run of form. However circumstances dictated that it was a much changed side that faced the capital side with Pirrie needed for first team duty, Milne injured, McKay suffering from flu and Bateman struggling with a stomach bug. The latter having to take a place on the bench to make up the numbers. In addition, keeper Giles was playing with a painful hip injury that had seen him visiting the physio for the previous two weeks and unable to train. The culmination of this saw three trialists added to the bench and McGaraghan and Fergus playing in unfamiliar positions in a back three,

Despite the changed team, the young Colts were quickly out the blocks and took the game to the home side. Colts were enjoying lots of the ball and the Spartans coaching staff were not slow in pointing out to their team that the Cumbernauld youngsters were dictating the early exchanges. At this stage the Colts nearly went in front when McNee was unlucky not to capatilse on a bit hesitancy in the home defence that saw him challenge a back pass with the goalkeeper but the ball wouldn't drop for him and the keeper scrambled the ball to safety.

This incident was to signal a massive change in the events of the game and the Colts conspired to capitulate under some Spartans pressure and produce the worst 11 minutes of their entire season.

In 8 minutes poor defending on the right of defence saw a speculative shot being fired in which deflected off a defender on its way to goal. Giles struggled to deal with the shot and the ball spilled out to the Spartans striker who easily rolled it into the net.

In 12 minutes some slack defending on the left saw the Spartans midfielder burst through and make it 2-0.

16 minutes gone and a free kick is spilled by Giles and with the Colts defence spectating, the Spartans striker had a the simplest of tasks to make it 3-0.

Finally in 19 minutes a high speculative cross to the back post caught the Colts off guard and the midfielder headed Spartans into a 4-0 lead.

Almost unbelievable that the team sporting the best defensive record in the league could have folded so easily. Some tactical changes saw the Cumbernauld youngsters move to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation and the game evened out although the Colts were looking rattled by the preceding events. The youngsters gradually recovered some composure and in 30 minutes McGaraghan pulled one back after a corner kick.

The Colts then nearly made another breakthrough when McAtear went through on goal and possibly should have done better than lob the ball over the bar with the keeper stranded. McAtear was to cause further panic in the Spartans defence in 44 minutes when he outpaced his markers as he chased a through ball. The Spartans keeper sprinted from his line and unceremoniously upended the striker. A rash decision by the keeper that caused the referee to produce the red card and reduce the home side to 10 men.

Half Time 4-1

The second half started with Colts having much of the possession and probing at the home defence. The youngsters tried hard to pick up the momentum of the game but struggled to play with any great impetus. Spartans defended well and never allowed the Colts and real scoring opportunities by working hard and getting men behind the ball when required.

The introduction of the trialist substitutes saw the pattern of the game remain mostly unchanged. At one stage the Colts were playing with two defenders as they attempted to drag themselves back into the match, but they were met with a resolute home defence who were in no mood to surrender their advantage.

One final twist on the night saw one of the trialist substitute's get injured and Bateman had to take the field for the last 10 minutes despite his unhealthy appearance and condition.

Full time 4-1

A night to forget in the capital. The youngsters have been well advised of their frailties on the evening and lessons must be learned.