David - back at Spartans
The 3rd XI travel to Armadale also for a league game. Coach Doug Cowie also has a strong squad together – we are unbeaten in four games but need wins rather than draws.
Archive for March, 2009
2s and 3s Preview
Friday, March 27th, 2009
The 2nd XI travel to Shotts tomorrow to play Sporting in a league game. We played through there earlier in the season and won 3 – 0 but it took two late goals to win. Tomorrow sees new signing David Mcleod in the squad. David played in the 1st XI at the tail end of last season and during pre season this season before heading off to Dubai. He has just returned and has joined Mark Lamb’s squad. Gaffer Lamb has Mark Burns and Paul Sutherland back in the squad after missing the last two games and has a strong squad heading along the M8. The ko is 2pm.
Top Four Fight It Out
Friday, March 27th, 2009Co-manager Mike Lawson thoughts on tomorrows game are
“With Lothian at Dalbeattie and ourselves at Rosewell some will say that this is a pivotal weekend in the East of Scotland Premier Division but I think there will a lot more of twists and turns before the end of May.
For ourselves we head to Whitehill without the services of Danny, Alex and Cloudie so the faith Sam and I have in the current squad will be tested to the full. We’ll make at least four changes from the team that won at Easthouses and we know we will have to be at our very best to prize any points away from the Ferguson Park club.
I’ve seen Whitehill win twice recently at Meadowbank and Riccarton. On both occasions they have shown what a good side they are and despite losing a few players from the league winning team those who came in have impressed me greatly. Mark Ellis and Darren McGlashan are both good young players while Jack Lynch and Mark Duthie bring a raft of experience to the team.
Mark played for me at Meadowbank and I’m well aware of the quality he can bring to any side.
For our part the players have been buoyant at training this week and can’t wait for tomorrow’s encounter.
Neither can I.”
The games kicks off at Rosewell at 2.30pm.
Mike Irving - on the phone (again), pitting his wits against Whitehill for the first time
SWFa Scottish Cup Draw
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
We have been drawn to play Rangers in the semi final of the Womens Scottish Cup. The date has still to be fixed and the game will be played at a neutral venue. Glasgow City play Hamilton Accies in the other semi final.
The moment which kick started our season
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
We’re still getting photos given to us from games earlier in the season – thanks this time to Andrew Irvine for taking us back to the game at Pollok. Pollok had dominated the opening exchanges, seemed to be much stronger and had taken the lead. We were slowly coming back into the game and had started passing the ball about. Omar was looking threatening and inviting rash challenges…this one gave us a penalty which Nicky drove home to give us an equaliser on the day.
Omar - flying...down the wing and through the air
Scottish Cup win and good win for the 19s
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
Despite the very windy conditions our Womens team produced a find performance to beat Hibs 2 – 0 in the Scottish Cup quarter final played today at the Academy. Hayley Lauder our Under 20 internationalist scored the first after 20 minutes attacking from her left back role. Our second came with 59 minutes on the clock when Di Barry scored her twenty fifth of the season from the penalty spot. Coach Shelley Kerr was delighted after the game watched by a crowd of about 150 including Scotland manager Anna Siguel. Also through are Rangers, Hamilton Accies and Glasgow City. The date has yet to be fixed for the semi finals, the draw is tomorrow.
- Hayley – opening goal
Our 19s had a great 6 – 2 win away to Easthouses. the goals came from Phil Mshelbwala 2, Michael Kirkland, Scott Syme, Gavin Cattenach and Steven Philp.
Brace for the Apprentice as Spartans cruise to 11th straight win
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
Spartans 4 – Cumbernauld Colts 0
Fosters Central League
Spartans made it 11 out of 11 as they stretched their lead at the top of the league with a comfortable but lacklustre display at Ainslie Park. Earlier in the season Spartans outclassed the Cumbernauld side and posted an impressive 8-1 victory. This encounter looked like it was heading for a similar result after a solid opening ten minute spell.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Spartans | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 10 | 39 | 33 |
| 2 | Linwood | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 43 | 25 | 18 | 28 |
| 3 | Elderslie | 15 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 33 | 21 | 12 | 27 |
| 4 | Campsie Minerva | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 12 | 20 | 19 |
Cannon - goal and a sitter for the galloping gazzelle
Gary the Cannon was on the scoresheet early for his tenth of the season when he pounced on a chance in the box and made no mistake from 6 yards. Asbo Perry soon made it 2-0 with a cool finish past the outrushing Colts keeper and Spartans looked like accumulating a cricket score. Following this the interestingly named Colts (with some of the oldest players ever seen at this level of football) put their entire team behind the ball in the hope of avoiding another embarassing scoreline. With the game over and at snail’s pace Spartans really didn’t play to the standards usually set. A few crude challenges followed as the Colts went on damage limitation. A comedy Bobby Ball double was the Colts best player despite easily being in his fourties – Craig Graham would have looked like a rookie against some of the opposition.
Moffat did have the ball in the net for the third but the ref inexplicably disallowed for offside – a decision more aligned to the lack of pace of the opponents making Moffat appear offside. The only plus point was that this disallowed goal for Lammy’s Boy will provide another week of ‘goal drought’ banter for the training ground. The Cannon then created a great chance for himself and two fine efforts were saved well by the keeper (according to Bannon), the truth now – a powderpuff first effort with his right foot rebounded off the keeper who knew nothing about it, then the rebound feel to Bannon’s left foot – the result was inevitable – a rocketed drive bounced twice in front of the keeper who had time to adjust his hat, speak to his central defence and then fall on top of the speeding bullet!
The disappointment was evident at half time to only be two goals ahead in what was a very unenjoyable and forgettable game. The second half started (and ended in similar fashion). Spartans soon scored their third – a Moffat freekick as tamely hit as a Bannon left uppercut was someone spilled by the Colts keeper and Reid tucked home the parry from all of 4 inches (it was pointed out his nose was actually over the line before the ball!)
Fine brace from the 2's Torres
The final goal showed a different side to Spartans more usual cultured football – Paterek’s long ball from goal deceived the ageing and tiring Colts back line and Perry produced a superb lofted finish over the keeper – further proof of his undoubted ability in front of goal.
Team: Paterek, Scott, Rae, Steele, Bunyan, Moffat, Boyes, Douglas, Bannon (Harris), Reid (Zuk), Perry
Subs not used: Cran, MacDonald
Man of the Match – Steele again – coasted through 90 mins untroubled – even produced a bit of skill for a big man at one stage.
Saturday scores
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
We moved into second place in the East of Scotland League with a 2 – 0 victory over Easthouses. It was a tousy affair. We had the btter chances in the first half and after 23 minutes David Etale opened the scoring from close range.
David - first goal
It was a scrappy game which burst into life in the final fifteen minutes. Firstly Chris Flockhart made a great save and the Easthouses striker should have done better than hit the post from the rebound. Then Keith McLeod received a straight red card for a kick at the Easthouses defender following his rash challenge. Robbie Manson then missed when straight through before the Easthouses keeper also saw red following a handball outside his box. The drama wasn’t over as the bookings mounted. We were three minutes into injury time when Dan Gerrard and Stew Fowlie were deceived by the bounce and again the Easthouses striker missed when it looked easier to score. There was still time for Alex King to see red after a second yellow and for Donal Henretty to knock home after a great run from Struan Preston. We hadn’t played well and 2 - 0 was harsh on Easthouses but it was still three points Team: Flockhart, O’Donnel, Gerrard, Archibald, Hoskins (Fowlie 79), Malin, Manson, King, Etale (Henretty 72), Kader (Preston 77), McLeod Subs not used: Devlin, Opilka
The 2nd XI continued their winning form with a 4 – 0 league win over Cumbernauld Colts – goals coming from Adam Perry 2, Nick Reid and Gary Bannon. Coach Mark Lamb was disappointed with the performance but happy with the points. Team: Paterek, Scott, Bunyon, Rae, Steele, Moffat, Bannon (Harris), Douglas, Boyes, Reid (Zuk), Perry Subs not used: Cran, McDonald
Mark - we didn't play well
The 3rd XI drew again – this time 1 – 1 against Liberton AVU in a league game at City Park. Finlay Clark equalising from the spot after Liberton had taken an early lead.
