The Spartans v Clyde

There was once again mixed news pre-match with Mouhamed Niang’s concussion keeping him out of the matchday squad, but Tommy Robson returned in the backline with Jamie Bradley and Darren Lyon back on the bench.

Clyde controlled the majority of the first half and had a big chance to break the deadlock after an edgy opening quarter of an hour, as James Hilton and Scott Williamson combined before the former bore down on goal, only to fire narrowly wide.

The Bully Wee continued to turn the screw but soon found themselves behind, as James Craigen fired a fine curling effort inside the far post from outside the box. The visitors battled back and fashioned a handful of half chances ahead of the interval, but couldn’t find an equaliser.

Some Clyde fans were yet to take their seats for the second half when Jamie Dishington misjudged a ball into The Spartans’ area and hauled down Marley Redfern, earning himself a red card in the process. Hilton stepped up and converted the resulting penalty to draw the scoreline level, to the delight of a strong travelling support.

Darren Young’s men failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the second half, with chances hard to come by in spite of their territory. The best of them fell to Scott Williamson who ought to have scored, but couldn’t direct his free header on target from close range.

The Spartans continued to carry a threat on the break and had a fantastic chance of their own to take the lead when Mark Stowe went one-on-one with Jay Hogarth, but the Clyde ‘keeper made himself big to keep the scores level on the hour.

From that point on the game petered out, with goalmouth action very limited at either end. Clyde came closest when Hilton fired into the side netting, but couldn’t break down an obstinate Spartans defence as the game ended in a draw, a result both sides would’ve taken pre-match but which represents a missed opportunity for The Bully Wee.