The first game of the new era in the Lowland League for Open Goal Broomhill arrived on Saturday afternoon at Broadwood Stadium under the new management of Simon Ferry. The vastly experienced Kirk Broadfoot was named as Captain as we looked to kick off the campaign with a victory.
The match began with both teams working each other out however no real chances created in the opening quarter.
The first opportunity of the game arrived twenty minutes with good work from Grant down the right wing creating a half yard for the Full Back, who fired a low cross into Semple in the centre of the box, however the striker’s right footed effort went just over the bar.
Spartan’s reacted well and soon had their first chance of the match through an effective press and interception by Russell in the middle of Open Goal Broomhill’s half. The attacker then played a low through ball to Henderson who went one on one but the striker’s low effort was saved brilliantly by the onrushing Wilson.
The away side had another opportunity soon after when a dangerous corner was curled into the box and Tapping managed to get on the end of it but the defender’s header went just over the bar.
The final opportunity of the half came for the home side, this included brilliant interplay and movement from O’Sullivan down the left side which lead to the defender whipping a teasing cross into Cook, his header going just off target.
HALF TIME: OPEN GOAL BROOMHILL 0-0 SPARTANS FC
There was no delay in the action in the 2nd half as Open Goal Broomhill came flying out the gates and they were quickly rewarded with a deserved goal on 50 minutes. Grant received the ball on the right side and the full back then played a superb low cross towards the near post where Semple cleverly flicked the ball into the bottom right corner of Carswell’s goal, notching the first of the Open Goal Broomhill era!
Twelve minutes later and it was two! The home side were able to capitalise on the momentum of the first goal and soon got their second goal of the game. Brilliant interplay allowed Semple to receive the ball on the right side of the box and the number 9 drove a low cross to the back post where the oncoming Cook tapped in.
The away side reacted well and pushed to get back into the game, and they soon got their opportunity. Good movement down the right wing and then a low driven cross allowed the ball to find Henderson in the centre of the box but the forward’s point blank range strike was incredibly saved by Wilson to keep it out.
Spartan’s kept pressing to breach the home side’s defence and in the 75th minute they did just that. Russell whipped a wide free kick to the back post where Tapping headed the ball back across the box for Brown to tap in to make it 2-1.
The momentum swung slightly in favour of the away side and they continued to attack Open Goal Broomhill to try and carve an opening to breakdown the home side’s defence. Wilson was tested again when a dangerous cross lead to a looping header from the Spartan’s attack but the keeper again done superbly to tip it over the bar.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Spartans commenced one last ditch attack. The ball was whipped dangerously into the box and found Dishington at the back post, however the attacker was not able to get great contact on the header and it went just wide of the post.
Due to Spartans pushing for the equaliser, space was left in behind and the game was nearly sealed following a fast counter attack from Open Goal Broomhill which lead to Maley having a clear shot on Carswell’s goal from the edge of the box but unfortunately the attacker’s right footed shot went straight at the goalkeeper.
FULL TIME: OPEN GOAL BROOMHILL 2-1 SPARTANS
MOTM: O’Sullivan.
Match Report by Conroy Hunter
