16th January 2003
Sparta Jag vs Clyde Supporters AFC
Ibrox Community Complex, Glasgow
Sparta took to the field in this eagerly anticipated match up looking
resplendent in their new set of tops. From the whistle, both teams looked
right up for the match with Clyde starting the brighter of the two teams.
Clyde won a corner early on and the resultant header was cleared off the
line.
Clyde maintained possession for a good chunk of the first half, without
creating too many clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. Sparta had two good
chances before the break. The first was when Rab Stirling beat the offside
trap, only to see his attempt to round the keeper blocked by the onrushing
custodian. Perhaps the best chance of the half came virtually on the whistle.
The ball broke to Joe Condron inside the box, but his effort cannoned off the
post.
During the interval Sparta freshened things up by introducing Marcos Aranda to
the play, and he almost made an immediate impact, as twice, he had good efforts
blocked by the Clyde keeper.
Sparta's next chance came from a free kick, which Charlie Kirkwood struck well,
but the keeper dealt with it comfortably. Sparta continued to push forward,
and from a corner, Andy McIntyre was unlucky to put his effort across goal,
wide.
It seemed to be only a matter of time before Sparta took the lead, and they
did. Stevie Walker sent in a corner to the back post, which Charlie Kirkwood
headed home to break the deadlock.
The next chance fell to Clyde. Michael Kelly brought down a Clyde player at
the edge of the box, and the resultant free kick struck the post. Sparta took
advantage of this narrow escape by doubling their lead. Marcos Aranda was
played through, and he fired an excellent left foot shot past the Clyde
keeper.
Marcos almost added to his tally soon after, but his effort came back off the
bar. Clyde then had the best possible opportunity to pull a goal back, after
Charlie Kirkwood was penalised for a trip in the area. The resultant penalty,
however, was blasted high and wide. Clyde then has a goal chopped off for
offside. The last opportunity of the match fell to Paddy Kelly, but his shot
hit the post.
Many thanks to Clyde for taking part in a game, which I'm sure both sets of
players had been looking forward to for quite some time.
Full time: Sparta Jag 2 Clyde Supporters AFC 0
Squad: Sutherland, Deans, Condron P, Hamilton, Walker, Condron Joe, Kirkwood, McIntyre, Stirling, Kelly M, Thomas, Sangster, Kelly P, Anderson, Aranda.
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