Archive for November, 2008
« Previous EntriesBlyth Spartans draw Premiership opposition
Sunday, November 30th, 2008 After their draw yesterday away to Bournmouth Blyth Spartans have been handed a home game against Premiership side Blackburn Rovers if they manage to win the replay.
With two games already shown live on TV is promises to be a lucrative cup run for our friendly rivals….can we match them?
Supporters Bus to Elgin
Sunday, November 30th, 2008 As before please email Cameron on Cameron_hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk or call him on 07962 353645. The cost will be £2 for those who made the abortive trip yesterday or £10/£8 as before for those who didn’t make it. Hopefully we will get another big turnout - might depend on the next round draw which is tomorrow at 2.30pm.New Academy Development Officer Appointed
Sunday, November 30th, 2008 We are delighted to announce that Debbi McCulloch has been appointed our second full time development officer. Debbi has worked at Ross County for the past five seasons and before that she was at Dundee Utd. Her role is part funded by the SWFA so part of her role will be to further develop our girls and womens sections. She will also design, devlop and deliver Community programmesand work with our Youth section on coach and player development. Her work will also include helping some of the youngsters in our area to achieve Community Sports Leader awards. Her experience from Ross County will be invaluable as their programme has been recognised as one of the best in the country for some time. Debbi starts with us in January and said “I am delighted and excited to be joining the Spartans Academy project. Spartans is already a great community club and the Academy will help us make it even better.”
Debbi -
With the Academy set to open next weekend our managament team is now in place. Douglas Samuel, our Development Manager, is supported by Colin Hutchison looking after all maintenance and groundswork, Kenny Cameron and Debbi our the two Development Officers and Dan Gerrard in a part-time role as the Cafe/Bar manager.
We will be revruiting a number of part-time staff and volunteers over the next few weeks.
More postponements
Saturday, November 29th, 2008 Both our Womens 1st XI fixture at home to Aberdeen today and this mornings Under 13 Scottish Cup tie against RossVale have been postponed due to the frost. Finally our Under 19 League Cup game against Edinburgh City due to be played at City Park this afternoon has also been postponed.Kenny Young moves to Lothian Thistle
Saturday, November 29th, 2008 Kenny Young was allowed to move on a free transfer to Lothian Thistle at the end of last week. He proceeded to score on his debut today in a 4 - 2 defeat by Edinburgh University. Kenny joined Spartans in February last season and we wish him all the very best at his new club. His experience around the 1st XI squad will be missed.
Kenny Young
Another wasted journey but 2nd XI win
Saturday, November 29th, 2008 Obviously it was a very frustrating day. Many thanks to our supporters, some who had reached Elgin and others who were en route. Chairman Craig Graham said “It was very surprising that it was called off as early as 11am with the sun out and it thawing. Indeed it did clear up enough for Clach to go ahead with their game against Stenhousemuir. We would have preferred to wait and see how the weather developed over lunchtime but it did mean some of our fans were able to turn round part way north. Our skipper Stewart Fowlie headed through to Elgin after the game to see his brother and did say it was still frosty. All in all very frustrating and costly but we will certainly be ready for the game next Saturday. At least we are in the draw on Monday and our secretary Jimmy Murray got back to Edinburgh in time to catch his favourite TV show Strictly Come Dancing!”
Jimmy Murray - Hearts win and home for Strictly
Supporters travel plans for next Saturday will be announced tomorrow evening.
Jordan Steele - his third goal of the season today
The 2nd XI won their East of Scotland 3rd round cup match 2 - 0 with second half goals from Danny Forbes and Jordan Steele.
Scottish Cup fever
Friday, November 28th, 2008 The team leaves tonight for Inverness before heading through to Elgin in the morning. Scott Livingston is still out with his knee injury and Struan Preston is doubtful with an ankle knock. Ross Archibald returns to the squad after suspension and Kevin Brown returns to the squad for cover. Kevin retired last season after seven seasons at the club, but has helped out the 2nd XI this season and his experience will be useful in the dressing room tomorrow. Recent signing Sam Woods may come into the reckoning after a very positive week at training. Coach Mike Irving is looking forward to the game “we’e watched Elgin and had a number of other reports but they may not prove very useful as i see their their manager is intending making a number of changes after their defeat last week. Our players know that they will have to be flexible and react as the game develops, and we have been working on this during the week. We enjoy being the underdogs and are looking forward to the challenge”.
Kevin Brown - back in action
Squad: Flockhart, Gerrard, O’Donnell, Archibald, Fowlie (capt), Kader, Malin, Preston, Manson, King, McLeod, Walker, Hair, Brown, Smart, Devlin, Hoskins, Henretty.
Our fans have been invited to enjoy some hospitality at their social club just outside the ground before and after the game.
Looking ahead to Sunday our Under 13s are also in Scottish Cup action, they play Rossvale BC at Edinburgh Academy with an 11am ko. Some of the boys are on the supporters bus to Elgin but I am sure they will be allowed to snooze on the way home!
New Merchandise Range now here
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 Please visit the Football Nation website via the link on the right or go to their shop in Lothian Road to see the new 08/09 range of Spartans merchandise.
www.thefootballnation.co.uk
Spartans Podcast - What a goal!!
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 A short, mini podcast this evening in the form of a cracking video clip of Donal Henretty’s goal against Dalbeattie Star yesterday. Enjoy.For any You Tube members who wish to subscribe to the Spartans Podcast, simply go to http://uk.youtube.com/user/TheSpartansfc and click on the yellow ‘Subscribe’ button.
Spartans hit top spot
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 Eastfield AFC 2- Spartans 3
Spartans made hard workof a stubborn and determined Eastfield side in Cumbernauld yesterday. The game should have been over as a contest within half and hour as Spartans dominated the first half on a very difficult pitch. Spartans started brightly and kept with the bulk of the starting line up from last week’s disappointing defeat. Jim Rae came back after a week out and the team shaped up with a more familiar 4-4-2. The win has put Spartans top with a maximum 18 points from 6 games with games in hand on closest rivals.
Spartans had a number of half chances to open the scoring before a well worked free kick set up Danny Forbes to slam home from 8 yards - the young striker’s seventh of a very impressive debut season. Spartans had a number of chances to increase the lead as Burns and Mitchell controlled the midfield and Boyes got numerous crosses in from the left hand side. Michael Moffat could only hit the keeper’s legs when through on goal and Forbes, after a flowing team move smashed a shot from the edge of the box against the bar. Gary ’shoots like a cannon’ Bannon displayed his normal prowess in the box with a lame left foot effort from an excellent ball into the box. Eastfield’s only notable chance was a header from a long throw.
Manager Lamb was disappointed at half time to only hold a slender advantage and it wasn’t long before Bannon made it 2-0 with a goal of such quality that I can’t remember it, but it is his third goal in 4 games. As Lamb prepared to freshen things up Eastfield sprung to life and replied almost immediately with a long ball that the back four failed to deal with. Eastfield took the game to Spartans in the second half and challenges flew in which the referee failed to deal with.
Sam Scott was brought on to shore up the midfield following a lengthy lay off after knee surgery and was soon back to his usual driving runs and crunching challenges. Having Sam back to fitness will be a big boost to the team both on and off the field. Nick Reid then also returned following injury replacing Forbes who had another good game. A well placed slide pass caught out Jim Rae who despite turning marginally quicker than the Larne ferry, couldn’t prevent an excellent cut back for the Eastfield strker to equalise the game.
Lukas Zuk was quickly intorduced and Spartans piled on the pressure with another couple half chances going begging. The turning point came when a Jim Rae rocket was sent goalwards which the Eastfield centre back decided to cushion down with his ‘Davina McCalls’ - a mistake the big man will never make again! With only 10 minutes left a long Rae free kick was flicked on by Reid which Moffat and Zuk chased into the box - Zuk got in ahead of Moffat and squeezed a shot in off the post. Rather than sit back Spartans went in search of the killer goal and should have had it after Moffat was brought down in the box but the ref waived play on much to the bemusement of every player and the Eastfield keeper.
Overall, a poor performance in a game that should have been over long before the half time whistle. The only plus points being the return of a few injured players.
Team: Paterek, Young, Rae, Sutherland, Steele, Bannon (Zuk), Mitchell (Scott), Burns, Boyes, Forbes (Reid), Moffat.
Sun not used: Perry
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