17th October 2004
Sparta Jag vs Sandbank Rangers
Ibrox Community Complex, Glasgow
HANDY ANDY PROVES POINT
For the 2nd consecutive week Sparta found themselves involved in another
Glasgow Derby, if of course you count Cumbernauld as Glasgow!
Having let themselves down in the previous game against Sandbank Rangers
Sparta were eager to make amends against their Bitter rivals.
Sparta started well with the wing play of Maxwell causing Clyde all sorts of
problems. It was O'Donnell who had the first chance of the match, this time
excellent play by Stirling created a half chance and an O'Donnell snap shot
was well held by the Bully wee goalkeeper.
Having dominated the early part of the game Sparta fell behind after Walker
and Collins got in a fankle on the half way line to allow the Clyde no. 11 a
clear run on goal. The Bully Wee man showed great composure to round the
advancing Grenfell and slot the visitors in to the lead.
Worse was to follow for Sparta when the energetic Stirling got caught in the
tackle and had to be carried from the field. Manager Kirkwood rejigged the
side bringing on Steven Samson, and moving Chris Collins into the midfield.
Half time: Sparta Jag 0 Clyde 1
Ferguson came on for Maxwell as Sparta searched for a way back in to the
match, attack after attack seemed to flounder around the Clyde no. 4 who was
having a magnificent performance at the heart of the Clyde defence. Anderson
and Ferguson had efforts to pierce the visitors' rearguard but still the men
in white held firm.
Burnside replaced Walker as Kirkwood made his final change. However it was
not all one way traffic, but for a superb last ditch save by Grenfell to stop
a menacing move by the Clyde no. 11 it would have been all over.
Clyde were left to rue this missed chance as with 8 minutes left Sparta struck
back. There seemed little danger as McIntyre lined up a free kick from 45
yards out. But what happened next would not have been out of place on a
Question of Sport!!! McIntyre's left foot arched a free kick into the
box, which sailed in to the top corner to the jubilation of the home side.
The final whistle was sounded and Sparta left disappointed at drawing their
second league game in a row, not the start manager Kirkwood was hoping for.
Full time: Sparta Jag 1 Clyde 1
Team: Ruairidh Grenfell; Colin Reston, Chris Collins, Stevie Walker, James
Hamilton; Alan Maxwell, Robert Stirling, James Taylor, Andy McIntyre;
Ryan O'Donnell, David Anderson.
Subs: Gordon Burnside, Steven Samson, Charlie Kirkwood, Ross Ferguson.
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