JAGS SON-SATIONAL AS T IS SOUP-ER

Sparta struck first when the wind caught out the Airdrie Utd no 1 who misplaced his kick straight to the right boot of Anderson who dispatched the ball back over his head with aplomb. Samson and Collins at the heart of the defence were repelling everything that the Diamonds could throw at them. Montgomery found the time to play the ball into the gap for the onrushing Taylor who sprang the offside trap and struck home across the keeper to make it 2-0 at the break.

Manager Kirkwood emphasised that the game was not over yet and for Sparta to continue their good 1st half work. Kevin Kelly came on to replace the injured Ferguson to make his Sparta debut.

James Taylor was dominant with Montgomery in the middle of the park and it was this combination that allowed Taylor to break through again and round the keeper to make it 3-0.

Airdrie Utd then started to take the game to Sparta and use the wind to their advantage. Utd reduced the deficit when a hotly-disputed throw-in was not given to Sparta and a deep cross was headed home by the Airdrie full-back despite Maxwell's best efforts.

The Jags response was immediate: a Chris Collins through ball was latched onto by Anderson who scored with a glorious shot. 4-1 up and the Jags should have scored more - Kelly, McIntyre and Anderson all came close to ramming home their superiority. Maxwell was carried from the pitch with a nasty looking ankle injury to be replaced by Steven Fyfe. Next Steven Samson hobbled from the pitch to be replaced by Stevie Walker. Airdrie pulled a goal back in the dying seconds as Sparta ran out 4-2 winners to move into 2nd spot.

Team: Gordon Burnside; Colin Reston, Steven Samson, Chris Collins, James Hamilton; Alan Maxwell, James Taylor, Kenny Montgomery, Andy McIntyre; Ross Ferguson, David Anderson.
Subs: Steven Fyfe, Stevie Walker, Steven Thomas, Kevin Kelly.