The best chances of the first half fell to Sparta. First up was Paddy Kelly, but the Ayr keeper did well to touch his effort onto the post. Rab Stirling was next up, but his low effort was blocked again by the keeper. Stevie Walker then sent a long ball through, which Charlie Kirkwood controlled well, before sclaffing his shot wide of the target.

The last foray upfield in the opening period saw Charlie Kirkwood played through. He lobbed the keeper and was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line by an Ayr defender. From the resultant corner, Sparta took the lead, when Andy McIntyre got on the end of a Stevie Walker corner to score his first Sparta goal with a powerful header.

After the restart, KaisAyr pressed forward looking for an equaliser. Sparta capitalised on this by extending their lead. Paddy Kelly's flick on found Charlie Kirkwood, who lobbed the keeper to net his third of the season.

KaisAyr pulled a goal back as the ball was played through a static Sparta defence, and deposited past Stuart Thomas in the Sparta goal.

Sparta could have killed the game off, as Stephen Burns created a good chance for himself out on the wing, but was unfortunate to see his effort clip the post and go wide.

A good start to the year for Sparta, with a competent, hard-working performance. Thanks as always to Pazza and the KaisAyr lads for another competitive fixture. A special mention to Stuart Thomas who flew up especially for the match, and for displaying porcine agility throughout!

Squad: Thomas, Deans, Condron P, Walker, Condron Joe, Kirkwood, Grenfell, Donnelly, McIntyre, Stirling, Burns, Kelly P.