Juniors game from yesterday re-arranged
February 7, 2010
Management thoughts on a hard fought win at Yarrow Park.
February 7, 2010
“Sometimes it all falls into place for you after scoring first, with more goals following and everything becoming a bit of a formality. That happened at Yarrow Park last season but it definitely didn’t happen yesterday. After scoring and despite having the majority of the ball we became too comfortable; we thought the job was done. Selkirk are fighting for their Premier lives and just before the half-hour they got up a head of steam. The result was a disputed penalty and game on.
Last weekend at Muirhouse the breaks went against us in the closing stages of the game so just to even things up Lady Luck did us a favour yesterday. Selkirk who hadn’t played a competitive game for 11 weeks were very tired as we went into the last fifteen minutes and under pressure an own goal broke the deadlock and handed us the points. Although we were the better team and had the bulk of possession we were a bit fortunate to win the way we did.
Sam and I had intended to make three changes yesterday. Robbie, Gavin and Donal hadn’t played badly at Muirhouse but Danny, Stewart and Omar deserve to be starting games such is the equality of our top 14 players. As it is Stewart was in a Fife hospital with his boys who are thankfully recovering from a viral infection so Donal got a reprieve. At the time of writing my thoughts are that Stewart, Robbie and Gavin will come into the team for Tynecastle but a week is a long time in football. Sam, Mike and myself will talk things over on Tuesday.
The result and score at Home Park Coldstream are a reminder to us that Lothian haven’t given up hope of winning the league and if Whitehill ever get playing again they have the players to go on a run and pass both the Saughton club and ourselves. Winning a league isn’t easy and retaining a league title is doubly difficult. We are in a good position but have 6 very important league games left starting next weekend.
Our thoughts turn to Tynecastle and trying to pick up points against a team who beat us at the Academy earlier in the season.”
Mike
Good win in tough encounter
February 6, 2010
AK - opener
With two late goals we beat Selkirk 3 – 1 away today to stay clear at the top of the league. It took us only 8 minutes to open the scoring when a great through ball from Danny O’Donnell was driven home by Alex King. For the remainder of the half we had the bulk of the possession without creating many clear cut chances. In a rare break Selkirk equalised on the half hour mark when Clapperton scored from the spot after a soft handball was given against Kevin Sivewright. Omar Kader had a chance with a header just before the break but headed straight at the ‘keeper.
We had loads of possession again in the second half but Selkirk defended very well. We upped the pace when Gavin Malin and Chris Smith came on but the second took a long time in coming. Gavin had hit the bar with a free kick before the second came. When it did it was an own goal, a Keith McLeod cut back was knocked into his own net by Monaghan. Donal Henretty scored the third with the final kick of the match, knocking home a rebound after the ‘keeper had blocked a Chris Smith drive. Kevin Sivewright was the Spartans man of the match…by virtue of giving the ball away less than anyone else! It was a difficult pitch to play on and we were unable to get controlled possession against a very stuff and spirited Selkirk side. Team: Flockhart, O’Donnell, Hoskins, Gerrard, Sivewright, King (Malin 68), Mcleod, Kader (Smith 68), Henretty, Archibald, McAuley Subs not used: Manson, Vinelli
The Juniors beat Edinburgh City 5 – 4 in a friendly, we played very well and were 5 – 2 up until close to the end. The goals came from Michael Moffat 2, Adam Perry, Struan Preston and Kenny Young. Unfortunately Struan broke his arm near the end of the game in a collision.
The Amateurs beat Ferniside 4 – 1 with tow goals from Ronald Napier, and one each from Finlay Clark and David Cran. David’s goal a rocket from 25 yards into the top corner, goal of the season so far….and his first since scoring against Queens Park 18 months ago.
Spartans Juniors vs Edinburgh United postponed
February 6, 2010
We are playing Edinburgh City on the FieldTurf at 12.30 in a friendly as their game has also been postponed.
Tomorrow Fixtures
February 5, 2010
The Juniors entertain Edinburgh Utd at the Academy with a 2pm ko. Coach david Cowan also has a near full strength squad with only James Hair and Martin Douglas struggling. Entrance is £4/£2 but free for Spartans season ticket holders.
The Amateurs have a league game at Peffermill against Fernieside. Dave Bryce has players returning from injury with new signing Mark Wells from Heriot Watt Uni in the squad. Youngster Dean Gibson has been signed for Coldstream by ex Juniors manager Mark Lamb. KO is 2pm.
Looking forward to Yarrow Park
February 5, 2010
“The milder weather over the last couple of days has raised the hopes for all connected with East of Scotland football that a full list of fixtures will take place tomorrow afternoon.
For our part we travel down to Yarrow Park, Selkirk to play a home side who haven’t kicked a ball in anger since 21st November. It’s been a long time without competitive football for Paul Brownlee and his players but at least the supporters have had the memory of a 5-5 draw with Border rivals Coldstream that day to tide them over.
I spoke to a local reporter this week and Selkirk have made quite a few changes since last season. By the turn of the year I’ve usually managed to have seen all the Premier teams in action but that’s not the case with tomorrow’s opponents. Whatever, I’m aware that they’ve won at both Meadowbank and the Pennypitt in the league this season so we won’t be taking them lightly.
Last weeks surface at Muirhouse was difficult for both the Strollers and our boys. Some players adapt to adverse conditions better than others and although we were disappointed to twice lose the lead, we can’t fault our players for effort and commitment. That aside, I keep going on about the strength of our squad and tomorrow could be the time to reintroduce one or two who have been on the sideline recently.
With so many games cancelled over the last two months and still three Cup competitions for us to complete as well as trying to retain or league title, games will come thick and fast as the light nights arrive. Sam and I have to keep as many players interested and more importantly match fit as possible.
First things first and three valuable points to play for tomorrow.
Let’s hope a full programme of fixtures takes place.”
Mike
Match cancelled tonight
February 2, 2010
Spartans Junior side are scheduled to play Edinburgh United this weekend in the only Edinburgh Derby in Junior football. Spartans won 1-0 at away to Utd earlier in the season and hope to get back on winning ways this weekend.
The match is to be played at Ainslie Park with a 2pm kick off. Tickets are £4/£2
Pitch inspection for Juniors tomorrow
February 1, 2010
Management thoughts on yesterday at Muirhouse.
January 31, 2010
” I warned about “banana skins” on Friday but I didn’t realise how slippy it was going to be. Our players were down after the game with the timing and nature of the second equaliser but I told them Mike and I couldn’t fault them for effort. In the long run we can’t be sure if that was two points lost or a point gained. Strollers may be near the bottom of the league but they are a big strong team who play with a lot of heart and will upset more than Spartans before the season is out.
After dropping points I usually wake up on a Sunday agonising over the team selection or formation “what could I have done before and during the game to change the outcome?” but this morning was different. There was enough agony watching Andy Murray but the nagging question in the back of my head was “should I have allowed the game to go ahead?”. If either Keith Stewart or myself had not fancied it the referee would not have played the game. He even spoke to both managers at half-time and was willing to call a halt to proceedings. Were the conditions a leveller? did they help the underdog? I don’t know but Saturday afternoons are about a game of football and the ground though difficult wasn’t dangerous and I’m glad it went ahead. Some players handle adverse conditions better than others and it’s not always who you think will struggle or excel who actually do.
There are many ups and downs in a league campaign and yesterday we lost our first league points away from home. After a shaky start the players have been on a magnificent run and Sam and I are both delighted with the skill and endeavour they have shown. Two points lost or one point gained?
Time will tell.”
Mike
Late goal gives Strollers a point
January 30, 2010
Strollers came more into the game having one chalked off for offside in what was a close decision. It was pretty even for the remainder of the half which ended goalless.
We took only four minutes of the second half to open the scoring Alex King found Ross Archibald in the inside left position and he slotted it past the ‘keeper…not sure how he ahd moved from his right back beat. Strollers equalised only three minutes later Allan Dillon heading home a corner.
The game was scrappy but half chances came and went before in the 70th minute Donal Henretty ran on to a through ball and poked it past the ‘keeper.
Strollers were using their height advantage to good effect at set pieces and we looked dangerous on the break but just when it looked like we would take home the points they equalised. After clearing a corner the second cross rebounded from Chris Flockhart and was knocked into the net by ex Spartan Danny Forbes from close range. On chances created a draw was a fair result, the Spartans man of the match was Donal Henretty who looked dangerous throughout.
Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins, Gerrard, Sivewright, Manson (Fowlie 76), McAuley, King, Malin (Kader 73), Henretty, McLeod Subs not used: Cassidy, Vinelli, O’Donnell.
The Amateurs game was postponed today.
The Academy is busy again tomorrow with four youth games scheduled plus a friendly between our Womens 1st XI and 2nd XI for their first pre-season friendly. Andy Murray’s tennis final will also be on live in the cafe/bar.
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