Archive for February, 2009
« Previous Entries Next Entries »End of our February Week Coaching Course and looking ahead to Easter
Friday, February 20th, 2009 The youngsters had a great week down at the Academy, and so did the coaches. Looking ahead booking has now opened for our Easter programme for both boys and girls.
The Easter Programme
CSAFL August Team of the Month Award
Friday, February 20th, 2009 Spartans attended the CSAFL Sportsman’s Dinner last night at Colville Park, Motherwell. Spartans would like to express their gratitude to the CSAFL committee on a very enjoyable evening.
Nick Reid picking up the award on behalf of the club
The league presented awards for the team of the month for August – December 2008.
I am delighted to announce, that with 4 wins from 4 games, 15 goals scored and only 4 conceded, Spartans picked up the Central Scottish Amateur Football League team of the month award for August 2008. Hopefully the first of many as we enter the business end of the season.
Back into Competitive action
Friday, February 20th, 2009
Fans - looking forward to the action tomorrow
After a two week break it’s back to competitive action tomorrow with a home league game against Preston Athletic. The Prestonpans side are currently above us in the league and are a very strong side. Tomorrow sees the 200th appearance of Stewart Fowlie in a competitive game for Spartans. Despite living in London at the start of his Spartans career Stewart has rarely missed the game. He has also been a regular starter in the Scotland semi pro team for the last three seasons.
Stewart in action
The squad tomorrow includes Sam Woods with Daryl Devlin missing on holiday and David Etale out with illness. Squad: Flockhart, Archibald, O’Donnel, Fowlie, Gerrard, Malin, King, Kader, Manson, King, Hoskins, Woods, McLeod, Walker, Preston, Henretty. The ko is 2.30pm.
The 2nd XI have a massive East of Scotland Cup quarter final away to Stenhousemuir. Manager Mark Lamb is missing Iain Cartwright through illness but Steven Bunyon is getting fitter with Michael Moffat also due to return from injury. The ko in Larbert is 2pm.
The 3rd XI are in league action away to Redhall Star, ko 2pm.
February Fun at the Academy
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 Our school holiday programmes are in full swing. Our Mini Dribblers, plus the Junior and Senior Soccer Schools are being enjoyed by over 50 youngsters.
scoring into a goal with a net - we wish we were 30 years younger
Academy Coaches Kenny Cameron and Debbi McCulloch supported by 1st XI defender Dan Gerrard are taking the various ages thru’ their paces. The programme runs to the end of the week – the coaches are having as much fun as the youngsters.
more spartans strips than hibs or hearts!
Latest 1000 Club Winners
Sunday, February 15th, 2009 The winners are:1st Prize Maggie Gardner £221
2nd Prize Danny Costello £133
Danny
3rd Prize Alun Williams £89 
Spartans sail past Sporting dishing out ‘Corporal’ punishment
Sunday, February 15th, 2009 Spartans 8 – Sporting 1Firstly, an unsavoury incident to report – on Friday keeper Paternek’s house was broken into while he slept. David and his girlfriend are both fine but the intruders did shave both sides of his head leaving a horrendous mohawk that idol Boruc would not even dare try!
The milk man
Spartans made light work of Sporting in their Central Scottish League game at Ainslie Park yesterday. Manager Lamb (a.k.a.Corporal Kilnger from M*A*S*H) was forced to make a late change following the late arrival of Joe Steele. In terms of excuses for his lateness- this truly was a belter. Half an hour before kick off Steele strolled through the changing room door to advise ‘the Corporal’ that his missus had bought the wrong type of baby milk and he was fored to go back to Boots to change it – well done Joe!
Spartans started the game in a similar vein to the previous two outings and it did not take long for the Spartans to open the scoring. The ever present Bannon put in a good cross from the right and Reid finished high into the net (his first goal on 2009 – which has been the focal point of many a changing room debate!). The second goal wasn’t long behind and the deadly Perry got himself into a good position and cooly slotted past the keeper to make it two. Perry then pulled his top over his head to reveal his new T-shirt clearly emblazzoned with the word ‘ASBO!’
The floodgates were always going to open and the front pairing of Fred and Ginger seemed on for a hat-ful. Reid then doubled his tally rising above a defender at the front post from a pinpoint Mitchell corner. At this point Spartans took the foot off the gas and let Sporting back into it. With the back four trying to play football, Sporting created a few chances. A long ball forward caused panic at the back at Paterek opted not to head the ball clear due to his new hairstyle and the Sporting player nipped in to make it 3-1. Sporting were reduced to 10 men after a needless second booking for the ned of a centre forward, the only thing he did right in the game was kick Sutherland. Reid also missed a sitter after being put through by Perry
Half time hairdrier by the Corporal
A half time ear bashing by the gaffer told the boys that they had been underperforming and that more was expected. Concers rose at the start of the half as both Rae and Burns started to make it over the halfway line. Rae has not made it out of bed today as a result and the drug testers have been on the phone. It was soon to be four and Asbo was on the scoresheet again. Perry raced on to a through ball by Reid and wrong footed the keeper with a fine finish. Reid completed his hatrick minutes later driving into the box and finishing at the front post for his 100th goal for the 2′s. Sporting were reduced to 9 men as the right back had enough of the mauling and saw red for a poor kick at Reid – a yellow would have been suffice.
Chances mounted and Reid got his fourth of the day from another Bannon cross. Boyes then got on the scoresheet with the goal of the game a fine flowing move and a crisply driven strike from 10 yards. A penalty claim was turned down when Reid was interestingly tackled by the Sporting no 7′s head to many a spectators amusement. Tino Douglas then wrapped up the win with a fine curling effort from outside the box – his first goal for the club. Moments earlier a similar range effort ended up on the forecourt of the Morrison’s garage.
A special mention for Monty Burns who managed a 2′s career best performance - 2 efforts at goal, the first a powderpuff drive from the edge of the box and the second a headerwhich Burnsy kindly knocked behind for a bye kick rather than increasing the margin.
Team : Paterek, Young (Steele), Sutherland, Burns, Rae, Bannon, Boyes (Douglas), Mitchell, Zuk (Harris), Reid, Perry
Manza of the Man
Man of the Match: Gary ‘the Cannon’ Bannon - an excellent display from our squeeky winger who likes quiet nights in and pub quizzes. Always available and willing to run at defenders – the galloping winger caused mayhem for Sporting.
Results from Saturday and preview of a big Sunday programme
Saturday, February 14th, 2009 The 2nd XI went further clear at the top of the league with a convincing 8 – 1 win over Sporting at the academy. The goals coming from Nick Reid (4), Adam Perry (2), Martin Douglas and Keith Boyes. It was 3 – 1 at half time before Sporting imploded with two red cards. Nick’s third was his 100th goal for the 2nd XI.
Nick (hidden) notches his second and our third goal
Nick heading over this time
The Rick Shaws Manza of the Match going to Gary Bannon after a hard working shift patrolling the right wing. Team: Paterek, Young (Steele 45), Rae, Sutherland, Burns, Bannon, Boyes (Simpson 72), Mitchell, Zuk (Harris 70), Reid, Perry Subs not used: Scott, Graham.
The 1st XI then enjoyed a friendly outing against a spirited Gala Fairydean. With goals in each half from Omar Kader and Nicky Walker it was a good workout. David Etale was suffering from flu and Keith Mcleod from a muscle knock but it was still a strong squad. Team Flockhart, O’Donnel (Archibald), Hoskins (sub Trialist), Gerrard, Fowlie, Malin, Kader (sub Manson), Hair (sub King), Preston, Walker, Henretty.
Tomorrow is a festival of football…with our Youth section playing games at 10, 11, 12, 1.30 and 3!
Manager Lamb reveals Hollywood past
Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Gaffer Lamb
It has been brought to the attention of the club that Manager Mark Lamb has been concealing his true identity since his arrival at Ainslie Park. The Gaffer has previously hit it big in M*A*S*H*:
M*A*S*H Corporal Klinger
Sutherland arriving for pre-season training
Finally, Jeremy Kyle will air a shock Spartan’s paternity test this week:
Mini Monty
Skeleton in Mr Spartan's closet?
M&M Cup Draw
Friday, February 13th, 2009 The draw for the last 16 and Quarter Final of the M&M Cup was made at the League Meeting on Thursday. Shouldwe overcome Scotia, a tough tie at home to the reigning Scottish Amatuer Champions awaits.Scotia Athletic or Spartans Vs Eddlewood or Kilsyth
McDonald Grassroots Scottish Football Awards 2009
Friday, February 13th, 2009 At a gala dinner at Hampden last night we were awarded the Grassroots Community Club of the Year. This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club. Most of Scottish football’s top brass were on show with Gordon Smith and Kenny Dalglish leading the speeches. The Sunday Mail will be giving full coverage this Sunday and we were delighted when Colin Hutchison, Les Atkinson, Michelle McNab and Stuart Lockhart picked up our trophy at the end of the evening. It’s easy to think about all the things we could be doing better but sometimes it’s better to reflect on what a fantastic job we do for our Community and all our players. Thanks to everyone for their commitment over the last few years - the trophy belongs to to you all.
Academy team of Dougie, Colin, Kenny and Dan with the trophy today