SPARTA CLAUS AS JAGS GIFT POINT

The Jags got off to a wonderful start when a mistake by the Cadzow keeper allowed Thomas to knock the ball into the empty net and give Sparta a 3rd minute lead.

Anderson was next to threaten with a right foot drive that the Cadzow keeper had to turn wide. Chris Collins was making himself available and it was his pass to Phillips that cut open the Accies rear guard and Phillips' cross came back off the bar. David Anderson was eager to prove his worth to the side and he threatened again on the stroke off half time as his left foot shot whistled just over the bar. Young Ryan O'Donnell then jinked his way past 4 men then coolly curled the ball around the keeper, and unfortunately also past the post.

The second half was only 3 minutes old when a ball over the top resulted in a sickening head knock for two of the Cadzow players. The game was stopped for 24 minutes, until an ambulance came for the pair. All at Sparta hope that the 2 injured players make a swift recovery.

When the game restarted Sparta had sent on Aranda for Thomas and Aranda almost doubled the lead when he sped into the box and tried to curl the ball around the Cadzow keeper who banished the memories of his early blunder with a flying stop.

Next the visitors had a shot from long range that Burnside did well to turn round the post. Sparta were still searching for the elusive second goal and James Hamilton produced a fine run and shot which went wide of the left hand post.

Then the Accies struck back with 10 minutes remaining. The no 14 rode 3 challenges before striking a dipping 20-yard shot that Burnside could not get his hand to.

1-1 and Sparta threw everything at the visitors to get a victory. Collins audaciously tried a chip shot from 45 yards that narrowly drifted over the top then Ferguson twisted and turned his way in to the box before forcing the keeper into a save off the bar. Aranda had a further chance as time ticked away. Montgomery then popped up in the box just as he had done against Well Trust and Hamilton Accies and this time volleyed over.

Team: Gordon Burnside; Colin Reston, Chris Collins, Steve Walker, James Hamilton; Brett Phillips, Kenny Montgomery, Andy McIntyre, Ryan O'Donnell; David Anderson, Steven Thomas.
Subs: James Taylor, Steven Samson, Alan Maxwell, Ross Ferguson, Marcos Aranda.