21st November 2004
Sparta Jag vs Hamilton Accies
Barlia Sports Complex, Glasgow
SPARTA PITCH POOR AS ACCIES STING JAGS
After recording their first league victory in their previous match, Sparta
sought another win that would bring them back into the pack chasing Clyde
at the top of the table.
On a surface which can only be described as a boating pond the Jags started
brightly with Anderson and O'Donnell linking up well up front. McIntyre had
a half chance which went wide. A good run and shot from Maxwell almost
pushed the jags in to the lead. Disaster stuck in 20 minutes as Hamilton
stole in to the lead, a move down the left led to a melee in the box and it
fell to the visiting no 11 to slot home past the unfortunate Walker.
Sparta's response was immediate and Anderson broke through and slotted home
on 27 minutes only to be pulled back for offside. Anderson was not to be
denied and he levelled four minutes later when he picked the ball up 25
yards from goal and fired in a shot. The Accies keeper got his hands and
body to the shot that was stuck straight towards him but somehow the ball
squirmed from his grasp and trickled into the back of the net to level the
scores.
Half time: Sparta Jag 1 Hamilton Accies 1
Sparta with their tails up started the second half the way they finished the
first, as darkness fell and the tackles flew in there was very little
football played by either side. In 72 minutes Hamilton grabbed what proved
to be the winning goal. A through ball skidded off the turf past Samson who
chased the No 3 who picked the ball up and slotted past the onrushing
Walker.
Two chances created and two goals scored for Hamilton, Kirkwood rejigged the
side throwing on Burnside for Maxwell and Collins being pushed into
midfield. It was Collins that almost levelled the match when he fizzed a
low drive just past the post as time ran began to run out.
Kirkwood and
Thomas replaced the tiring strike force of O'Donnell and goal scorer
Anderson, as Sparta looked for an equaliser with some direct play. The
scores were almost tied when McIntyre's cross was deflected to the back post
where Montgomery somehow missed from a yard, and that was to prove the final
act of a bitterly cold and disappointing day for Sparta.
Full time: Sparta Jag 1 Hamilton Accies 2
Team: Stevie Walker; James Taylor, Steven Samson, Chris Collins, Colin Reston;
Alan Maxwell, Kenny Montgomery, Michael Kelly, Andy McIntyre; David Anderson,
Ryan O'Donnell.
Subs: Charlie Kirkwood, Steven Thomas, Gordon Burnside.
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