3rd June 2000
Sparta Jag vs KaisAYRslautern
Firhill Complex, Glasgow
Not only was this Sparta Jag's first match, it was also the first time most of
the squad had met. We very nearly got off to an inauspicious start when an
experienced KaisAYRslautern side appeared to have scored inside the first 30
seconds. Eyewitness accounts have the ball crossing the line before it was
cleared, but the referee waved play on. However, it wasn't long before the
visitors went ahead with a shot which somehow found its way past Sparta's
keeper. Another goalkeeping error gave Ayr a comfortable lead which was by
no means against the run of play. Neil Martin made amends later on in the
half by touching a well-struck shot over the bar. Ayr also had to make a
substitution after one of their players was warned by the referee for
dissent.
Half time: Sparta Jag 0 KaisAYRslautern 2
Ayr could have gone further ahead early in the second half when a throw-in
back to our keeper was picked up, but they were unable to take advantage of
the indirect free-kick. However, the match was put beyond Sparta Jag when
they scored their third goal, the result of a defensive slip after the team
had been reorganised at the break. The fourth was prodded home from close
range after Neil Martin could only parry a shot from the edge of the box.
With victory assured, the visitors seemed to take their foot off the gas a
little and rested one or two key players. Towards the end of the match,
Sparta began to create a couple of scoring chances, but our first goal
remained elusive. Trinidadian midfielder Tony Chambers had brought along
some friends with a camcorder who taped some of the action, but the fate of
the tape is unknown.
Full time: Sparta Jag 0 KaisAYRslautern 4
Squad: Martin; Maclean, Deans, Fyfe, McIntosh; Chambers, Tunney, Clark, Calder;
Mulrine, Garrow, Dunnett.
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