Another fine night for football saw Peterhead host The Spartans in their 3rd match of the ViaPlay League Cup.
The suspensions of Ryan Strachan and Andy McCarthy saw Danny Strachan adopt a more central role in midfield and David Wilson enter the starting XI. Caleb Goldie also made his first start for the club since signing for The Blue Toon.
The Spartans took an early lead in the 9th minute through a close range finish from forward Blair Henderson; following a well worked move from the visitors. A crisp Balmoor surface allowed both teams to play good football in the first half, with Peterhead applying plenty pressure on The Spartans defence and a fine display at the opposite end; including a heroic clearance off the goal line from defender David Wilson. Defender Caleb Goldie was unlucky to have his strike inside the penalty area denied by The Spartans goalkeeper just shy of half time, following great link up play with Hamish Ritchie down the right hand side of the pitch. The Blue Toon went into the interval trailing 1-0 to visitors Spartans, after the late effort of captain Jason Brown crept past the rear post.
Half Time: Peterhead 0 – 1 The Spartans.
A positive 2nd half start for Peterhead kept The Spartans pinned back with Shanks grabbing an equaliser 5 minutes after the break. Shanks’ low driven strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area left The Spartans goalkeeper no chance. Game on! The Spartans responded almost immediately with another close range finish from forward Cameron Russell in the 55th minute; breaking the brief deadlock and leading the tie 2-1. Changes for Peterhead after 60 minutes played saw Jordon Brown and Hamish Ritchie make way for Jack Brown and Conner Duthie in like-for-like swaps. 10 minutes later, another double change saw Scott Ross and Robert Ward enter the match in place of Jordan Armstrong and Aaron Reid. As we approached the 80th minute, The Blue Toon continued their search for an equaliser however when Jason Brown flashed the ball across The Spartans goalmouth, a blue shirt couldn’t latch on to it. With just under 5 minutes of regular time to play, defender David Wilson was swapped for Arran Smith; a change which saw Caleb Goldie switch to left back. In the dying minutes of the match at Balmoor, Peterhead were unfortunate to not grab an equaliser.
In a match which could have gone either way with chances a plenty for either side, Peterhead were again unfortunate to come away from Balmoor empty handed.
Full Time: Peterhead 1 – 2 The Spartans.
