Next up is Forfar away in the league on Sunday.
Archive for April, 2009
Update from SWFA Cup Semi Final
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
In a dramatic Scottish Cup semi final we lost 6 – 5 aet to Rangers in Glasgow tonight. This is only our second defeat all season. By all accounts we didnt play nearly as well as we can but best wishes to Rangers who now play Glasgow City in the Scottish Cup Final next month.
Mike looks back at last night and forward to Saturday
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
As the games come thick and fast co manager Mike Lawson gives us his thoughts:
“Considering we were without, Dan, Stewart, Cloudie and David and playing against the meanest defence in the league, Sam and I were delighted with the result against The Uni on Wednesday. Dan, Stewart and David will also miss Lothian on Saturday although Stewart could make the bench and will be deputising as sponge-man for Dougie who’s on holiday. Unfortunately Alex King starts a two match suspension but on the bright side Cloudie should return to the team.
I had the privilege of watching Lothian play against Dalbeattie last midweek and I mean privilege. Fraser Ogilvie was right in handing out praise to his team in the News as they played the better football against the league leaders despite being down to 10 men for 83 minutes. Lothian passed the ball for fun, dominated for long spells and should have taken something from the game. The Enclosure is a big park and if Lothian play that well on it with 10 players it will be more than interesting to see how they do with 11.
For our part we are looking forward to the third of four games we play in eleven days. Our pool of players has been stretched but we are playing with both pace and confidence. The firmer grounds are suiting Omar and Nicky and they will be big players for us this weekend. I must also give a special mention to big Michal. Not only has he stepped in help fill the gap Stewart and Dan have temporarily left, he has chipped in with a couple of goals. He has been the find of the season.”
Spartans Defence Not Lacking ‘Steele’
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Spartans 3-0 Campsie Minerva
Spartans continued their impressive form with a hard fought victory at Ainslie Park last night. For the 3rd game in a row, Corporal Lamb had to use different personnel from the previous game due to unavailability. One talking point amongst the Ainslie Park faithful was the exclusion on veteran Graham in goal after his faultless display on Saturday. Steve Bunyan recovered from his weekend tummy bug to replace ‘Sugar’ Rae at left back.
Spartans got off to the best possible start when a long kick from goalkeeper Bartak was greeted with indecision in the Campsie defence. The ball bounced beyond the defence and with the goalkeeper off his line, the alert Perry nipped in to subtly head the ball over the Campsie goalkeeper.
It was evident from the early stages that both teams were up for the battle. In 10mins Campsie were awarded a dubious corner. Steele remonstrated with the referee and was cautioned for his behaviour. The disappointing referee decided to then get involved in some dialogue with the players rather than defuse the situation, a flippant comment from Steele, questioning the referee’s parentage, saw the man in black produce a straight red card.
Corporal Lamb tucked in the fullbacks to make a defensive trio of Burns, Sutherland and Bunyan. In the remainder of the first half Spartans had to withstand some considerable pressure but the defence remained strong and restricted Campsie to a couple of speculative long range efforts.
The halftime whistle was a welcome break for Spartans as the whole team had worked tirelessly to make up for the loss of a player so early in the game. Both Burns and Scott were treading on eggshells having picked up a caution from the card happy referee in the first half. Burns booking was for unsporting behaviour!!
Midway through the 2nd half there was a moment of controversy in the Spartans box. An in swinging corner was met by the impressive Campsie skipper who powered his header goal wards only for the ball to strike Andy Mitchell on the line. Mitchell’s presence on the line reminded me of John Collins in the Scotland v Brazil game in the 1998 World Cup. I say no more…!!
Spartans were breaking forward at Pace with both Boyes, Moffat and supported by Mitchell. Scott was doing a fantastic job of resisting his natural tendencies to bomb forward and played the defensive holding role at which he excelled. Cartwright was also having an excellent game holding the ball up and linking play with the wide men.
The game was put beyond all doubt with 15 minutes to go. A delightful defence splitting pass by Perry found Moffat cutting in from the right to slide the ball past the goalkeeper. You could almost feel the sense of relief amongst the small army of Spartans fans who braved the cold misty conditions.
With two minutes to go, Camsie’s misery was compounded when Perry scored his second goal of the evening. Cutting in from the right, Asbo drilled a low shot which appeared to confuse the goalkeeper as he made a mess of it. With the ball nestling in the back of the net Spartans were on easy street.
Team: Bartec, Burns, Steele, Sutherland, Bunyon, Mitchell (Douglas), Scott (Young), Moffat, Boyes, Perry, Cartwright
Red Carded Steele
Going into the last 5 games of the season, Spartans require 7 points to make sure they gain promotion as Division 1B Champions. The players cannot rest on the laurels until the job is mathematically done and this starts with a challenging home game against Millbank at Ainslie Park on Saturday – 1.30pm kick off.
Midweek Results
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
The 1st XI played well tonight to beat a spiritied Edinburgh uni team 1 – 0. The goal came midway through the first half when Michel Oplika nodded home following an Omar Kader free kick. Although we had most of the possession in the first half we created few chances.
The start of the second half was more even and it wasnt until the last ten minutes when the game opened up. Donal Henretty and Gavin Malin might have scored from close range and Robbie Manson hit the bar from the edge of the box. The Uni threatened when sub Jack Beesley came on but ‘keeper Chris Flockhart wasnt really tested. Another 3 points and with whitehill losing heavily to Edinburgh City it appears that the league is a two horse race between Dalbeattie and ourselves. Team: Flockhart, O’Donnel, Opilka, Archibald, Hoskins, Kader, Manson, Malin, King, Henretty, Walker Subs not used: Woods, Fowlie, Preston, Hair, Devlin
Michel - critical goal
The 2nd XI played very well to beat Campsie Minerva 3 – 0 in a league game at the Academy. Adam Perry opened the scoring after only two minutes but then Joe Steele was sent off for arguing with the referee after only ten minutes. The ten man Spartans defended well but looked really dangerous on the break and second half goals from Adam Perry and Michael Moffat sealed the win. Adam is now up to 20 goals for the season. The defensive trio of Mark Burns, Paul Sutherland and Steven Bunyon defended really well and the pace of Perry, Moffat and Boyes look threatening throughout the game. Team: Bartec, Burns, Steele, Sutherland, Bunyon, Mitchell (Douglas), Scott (Young), Moffat, Boyes, Perry, Cartwright
Joe - red card
The 19s lost 3 – 1 to undefeated Edinburgh City in a league game at Meadowbank, Phil Mshelbwala scoring our goal. Despite the scoreline manager Gary McLelland was pleased with the performance ahead of Sunday’s cup final against City.
The Midweek Fixture card
Monday, April 13th, 2009
The 3rd XI played tonight but lost 2 – 1 to Lochend in the first leg of a first round Stead and Simpson cup tie. The squad was strectched to the limits with late call offs and both of the coaching team Doug Cowie and Brian Hutton had to start. Our goal was scored by Garth Fitzsimons and we are looking forward to the return leg on Saturday…the away goal could be crucial!
We have three crucial games on Wednesday. The 1st XI have a 6.30 ko at City Park in a league game against Edinburgh University. Dan Gerrard and David Etale miss the next three games as they have headed off on their travels but Danny O’Donnel comes back after suspension and Stewart Fowlie did train tonight but is far from back to full fitness. Co Manager Mike Lawson is looking forward to the game but is wary “we couldn’t have picked a harder game than Edinburgh University. Dougie and Neil will have little need to motivate their players as they will have a point to prove after their massive disappointment at Meadowbank. Everything that could go wrong for the students that Sunday did as they couldn’t buy a break. The debate whether there were two or three own goals highlights that fact”.
Mike - wary of the students
The 2nd XI play Campsie Minerva on Wednesday with a 7.45ko at the Academy. Jim Rae and David McLeod will both be missing but back comes Polish ‘keeper Bartec and Steven Bunyon. If they win their games in hand Campsie would go second in the table but a home win would make it very difficult for anyone to catch us at the top.
The 19s are also in league action – a 7.30pm ko against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank. A crucial league game between the two top teams and a dress rehearsal for the League Cup Final at Riccarton on Sunday.
Our final midweek fixture is our Womens Scottish Cup semi final at Toryglen in Glasgow against Rangers, ko 7.30. The Women were training tonight and looking sharp despite their tough encounter against Celtic yesterday. Coach Shelley Kerr is delighted to have another big game so soon and is confident her squad can play as well as they did yesterday. ‘Keeper Marie Hourihan has now signed from Watford and will travel up for Thursday and Sunday’s league game at Forfar.
Sunday Scores
Sunday, April 12th, 2009
Debbie (partly hidden on the ground) scores our third
In a pulsating game at the Academy our Womens 1st XI drew 3 – 3 against Celtic. The draw keeps Celtic 5 points ahead at the top of the table although we have a game in hand.
We were given a boost before the game when we signed the Watford and England Under 23 ‘keeper Marie Hourihan to replace the injured Jo Hutchison.
Celtic were however ahead at half time 1 – 0 but the game really came to life in the second half. We were playing really well in front of a crowd of about 200 and had chances to equalise before Di Barry nodded home a flick on by Claire Crosbie.
Julie - equaliser
Celtic however went straight up the park and once again went ahead. Time was running up and with 89 minutes on the clock we again equalised – Julie Melrose nodding home from close range. Several injuries meant there were five minutes of stoppage time. In the first minute we took the lead to the delight of the Spartans fans when Debbie McWhinnie tapped home but dramatically Celtic equalised following a corner in the dying seconds. It was a superb match but the late goal means Celtic are now favourites to win the league.
Di scores our first goal
At City park our 19s won a league game 2 – 0 against Civil Service Strollers to set us up for two games against Edinburgh City this week. Firstly in the league on Wednesday at Meadownbank and then next Sunday in the final of the East of Scotland League Cup at riccarton. The goals today were scored by Scott Syme and Jamie Lipscombe.
Win for 2s but defeat for 3s
Sunday, April 12th, 2009
The 2nd XI conitunued their winning way in the league with a 3 – 1 victory over second placed Linwood. Linwood opened the scoring after only 2 minutes when a long ball over the top caught the defence square. Keith Boyes equalised on the 30 minute and two goals in the second half from Rick Shaws Manza of the Match Iain Cartwright seasled the win.
Team: Graham, McLeod (Moffat 24), Rae, Sutherland, Steele, Scott, Mitchell (Douglas 72), Burns, Boyes, Cartwright, Perry (Young 85)
The 3rd XI lost 4 – 1 away to Liberton in the league – Patrick White scoring the goal.
