Match Report

Annan Athletic face defeat to title contenders The Spartans at Galabank, as the away side scored a goal in each half.

Annan entered the clash off the back of an impressive 3-0 away victory in Elgin as they looked to push for a playoff spot with three league games left to play. Spartans, on the other hand, were defeated by Stranraer in last week’s fixture, as they sat just one point off the leagues top spot.

Two changes were made to the Annan starting line-up, with star man Wullie Gibson unavailable due to a yellow card accumulated suspension, alongside Josiah Sowa who made his way to the bench, and were replaced by Aidan Smith and Charlie Maxwell. Spartans also made two changes with Kenzi Nair and Jamie Nishington making way for Kevin Waugh and Bradley Whyte.

It was a bright start from Spartans, with both wingers looking dangerous on each flank, having the first two attempts on goal. Left winger Cameron Russell had the first shot of the game taking on Ryan Muir but he was forced wide, and his effort went over.

Mark Stowe, on the other side would have the second effort, after just six minutes, cutting inside past Cammy Clark and Aiden Smith, yet his left footed shot was tame and did not test Charlie Albinson.

Spartans retained the majority of possession in the first 20 minutes, and continued to create chances, when a long throw would be flicked on in the box by towering centre half Ayrton Sonkur. However, it would narrowly miss Stowe at the back post, as he failed to connect with it.

Jordan Tapping would be the next one to let it fly on the 25th minute, as he took on an audacious long-range effort, but his shot would whistle over the bar.

Tensions began to rise after the half hour mark with Spartans continuing to remain in control of the ball, yet unable to break the deadlock, as Annan would defend well throughout the half, keeping the score level.

On the 38th minute Annan would counter a Spartans attack when a Paul Smith tackle would land to Dixon, who sent an enticing through ball down the right-hand side for the charging Maxwell to chase. Maxwell drove into the box and fired the ball across the face of goal, yet Aidan Smith was unable to get on the end of it.

Spartans would open the scoring just minutes before the half time whistle, through a Tapping header. The goal scorer himself would win a freekick down the right, in a perfect position for Stowe to send a cross in. Tapping would leap above his man and knock the header into the very top corner, making it 1-0.

Half Time: Annan Athletic 0 The Spartans 1

Annan looked more lively entering the second half, having the first chance, when Dixon would force Blair Carswell into a save. An Aidan Smith cross was cleared and landed to Dixon on the edge of the box, yet his left footed shot would be held by Carswell.

Ryan Muir would be next to create a chance, in the 52nd minute, swinging a brilliant ball into the six-yard area and in behind the Spartans back four, however nobody was there to meet the cross.

The home side would make an attacking change on the half hour mark, sending on the attacking minded Josiah Sowa for right back Ryan Muir, as they looked to equalise the scoring.

Stowe would come close to doubling the lead for Spartans when he cut in on his left yet again, yet Albinson would stretch to make the save in acrobatic fashion and push the ball wide.

With 20 minutes left to play Paul McGowan and Timam Scott were sent on in place of Paul Smith and Maxwell.

Tommy Goss was presented with a great opportunity on the 80th minute, when Clark would send in a ball from left back. Goss managed to find space in the box and get on the end of the cross, but his header went wide of the post.

Spartans would put the final nail in the coffin in the 85th minute through a Mark McNulty tap in, from a corner. James Craigen sent a cross on top of Albinson, in which he could not hold, and the ball landed to McNulty who finished into an open net, doubling the lead.

The pressure would be piled on by Annan with just a few minutes left, in seek of pulling a goal back. Goss would flick on a loose ball in the box, which would land to Aidan Smith who met the ball with a diving header. However, his header would go wide, and the final whistle would ensue minutes later.

Full Time: Annan Athletic 0 The Spartans 2

By Owen Clanachan