Lowland League: Spartans 'finally getting breaks' | Bonnyrigg Rose in penalty heaven

Spartans manager Dougie Samuel believes his team are finally getting the breaks they deserve after chalking up their fourth consecutive victory.

Spartans manager Dougie Samuel.

The Ainslie Park outfit ran out 6-2 winners over Cumbernauld Colts at Broadwood on Friday night, a result that sees the club move into the top half of the Lowland League table.

Following the club’s 4-3 extra-time triumph over East Stirlingshire in Soccer Shop Challenge Cup last month, Samuel’s men have picked up maximum points with wins over Edinburgh University, Dalbeattie Star and now Colts.

Gregor Woods gave the visitors the lead inside 60 seconds in Cumbernauld before Archie Meekison curled home number two.

Ewan MacPherson halved the deficit temporarily only for Scott McCrory-Irving to restore Spartans’ two-goal cushion in the 25th minute.

MacPherson added a second for the hosts before the break but Spartans upped the tempo after the break, McCrory-Irving, Blair Atkinson and Woods all putting a gloss on the scoreline.

“After a great start the team failed to settle, although we were a constant threat going forward in the first half,” boss Samuel said. “Our second-half performance was more controlled, however, we also got one or two breaks.

“Decisions which went the other way earlier on in the season have gone our way in recent weeks. But more importantly we’ve started to convert the chances we have been creating. It’s been great to see the goals being scored freely and several players among the goals.

“The BSC game aside, the team has been in every game and played well in spells in every game. Digging deep to come from 3-0 down against East Stirlingshire to win 4-3 in the cup has moved the dial in terms of confidence and belief.”

Rose continue to bloom

Elsewhere, Bonnyrigg Rose are up to second after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over struggling Dalbeattie Star at Islecroft.

Two first-half penalties from Lee Currie and an Alan Horne header in the Borders keeps Rose just a point adrift of reigning champions Kelty Hearts at the top.

It’s the second week in succession that playmaker Currie has scored a brace of penalties following last weekend’s 2-1 success over East Kilbride.

Boss Robbie Horn said: “It’s different penalties Lee’s taking every time. That’s class. In my opinion he should be playing at a much higher level but we’re delighted to have him.

“I think Dalbeattie are a really good side so it’s not an easy place to come. We obviously got off to a great start with the penalty but even at 3-0 they made it difficult and kept pressing so credit to them.”

Meanwhile, Civil Service Strollers went down 2-0 to East Kilbride at K-Park.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the hosts edged in front in the 49th minute through Craig Malcolm before Daryl Healy’s header ten minutes later sealed the points.

The defeat in South Lanarkshire, Strollers’ fifth of the campaign, sees them remain in tenth spot.

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