SPFL 2: Double Russell dedicates win for Watson

Posted on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

Cammy Russell’s double helped guide Spartans to victory over Clyde in a win dedicated to Paul Watson who had the high of opening the scoring before a nasty ankle injury unfortunately ended his afternoon moments after the interval.

After a midweek defeat to Stranraer, Douglas Samuel was looking for character within his squad to bounce back at the first attempt against a somewhat rejuvenated Clyde side who headed east with renewed confidence within their ranks.

It didn’t take long before the Spartans gaffer got a response.  Cammy Russell’s shot was saved by Robbie Hemfrey between the Clyde sticks.  Initially, the AR looked to have suggested a goal kick however this was evidently incorrect and overruled by Referee Duncan Nicolson.

That corner was delivered into the near post by Cammy Russell and in the resultant swinging around of limbs on the line, an attempted clearance found the back of Paul Watson’s calf forcing the ball into the net from the closest of ranges.

It could have been two moments later when a Blair Henderson clearance on the edge of his own box found Cammy Russell on the half way line.  He outjumped his man to nod into the path of Mark Stowe who had the beating of the backtracking defender however his lobbed effort was to go wide of the intended target.

Spartans didn’t have to wait too long though for that second goal when, in the 20^th minute, a simple move was sublimely executed by that man Cammy Russell.  A long ball up the park saw Russell use the slightest of body movements to send his man off balance and his turn and volley beyond Hemfrey had the home support on their feet.

Clyde rallied and Martin Rennie shovelled an effort out from under his feet that just went over Blair Carswell’s crossbar – a reminder that this game was still very much undecided despite the positive start.

There’s was a stramash in front of the sea of Santa costume clad visiting supporters after Lee Hamilton’s sliding challenge into James Craigen was deemed reckless enough by the Referee to warrant a booking for the Clyde captain.

With the respective Managers no doubt mentally preparing their half time briefings, Clyde were to halve the deficit when Logan Dunachie met a corner to nod across to Lee Hamilton who headed home.

HT: The Spartans 2-1 Clyde

The second half was merely three minutes old when an innocuous challenge in the box whilst clearing the ball saw Paul Watson receive the most unfortunate of ankle injuries that saw play suspended for over half an hour whilst he received initial treatment before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

When play resumed, Under 20s captain Jake Cunningham came off the bench for his second appearance in the senior side slotting in for Watson.

It could have been the perfect restart for the hosts when the ball was sent over the top of the Clyde defence however a combination of close encounters saw Cammy Russell and Blair Henderson both hit the deck under the last gasp challenge.

Aaron Scott was to send the ball high into the dark tea-time North Edinburgh sky and it was chested down on its arrival to earth by Blair Henderson who spotted the perfectly timed run of Cammy Russell who latched on to the pass and rammed it beyond Hemfrey with a nod to Paul Watson in his resultant goal celebration.

Blair Carswell was called upon to look sharp when he plucked the ball out from under his crossbar after a Ray Grant header rattled it second earlier.

Spartans made a brace of changes with Brogan Walls and Danny Denholm coming on for the hardworking Mark Stowe and Aaron Scott.

A squeekybum of a final quarter of hour was set up when a speculative effort from Jordan Allan took the most ridiculous of deflections off a defenders back to loop high into the air before it incredibly landed in the back of Blair Carswell’s net.

Spartans looked to get back up the field to restore their two goal lead. Clyde’s Ray Grant was cautioned after the Referee spotted a tug on Brogan Walls as he looked to progress into the box to get on the end of a developing move.

That was to prove costly for the Clyde man as received a second yellow with just seven minutes left on the clock, this time for hand ball tight on the touchline as he appeared to block Cammy Russell’s progress with an arm.

Ten man Clyde were to set up siege on the home penalty box. There were limbs flying to block attempts at goal, Jake Cunningham delivering defending headers like a seasoned campaigner and a dogged determination to see this one out.

That the home side did as play broke to the other end of the field and experienced heads offered some ‘keep-ball’ in the corners as the final whistle sounded.

Relief in the result, although attentions quickly turning to thoughts on Paul Watson who, we can confirm, is recovering at home following a late Saturday discharge from hospital.

FT: The Spartans 3-2 Clyde  

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Could only be one winner – Paul Watson.