Our 17s tonight beat Loanhead MW 5 – 3 to win the League Cup at Rosewell.  Loanhead had won the league and had beaten us twice already this season.  We were underdogs but a great performance in front of a good crowd saw goals from Stewart Patton 2, James Hymers, Jason Scott and Shaun Wringe give us the trophy.  Our 17s are hitting form at the right time having beaten Livingston in a friendly last Saturday and have the big East of Scotland Cup Final to come on 6th June.

We beat Campsie Minerva 4 – 3 after extra time tonight to go through to the M&M Trophy cup final.  The final will be played next Friday (29th) at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy’s ground against either Colville Park or Harestanes.  Mark Lamb made six changes from the team which played on Monday and it took only two minutes for the opening goal.  Iain cartwright nodding home a good Steven Bunyon cross.  Spartans looked to be on top but ‘keeper David paterek fumbled a through ball before tripping their striker who then scored from the spot.  it was a physical encounter but it took Spartans until the 30th minute when iain scored again after Steve and Nick Reid had both had shots cleared off the line.  Spartans soaked up a bit of pressure in the second half with quick breaks.  in the 60th minute Michael Moffat made a great run through, rounded the ‘keeper and Nick knocked the ball home.  It stayed that way until the 75th minute when the Campsie no 10 drove home a great left foot strike.  He then equalised with an equally good right foot free kick. 

Iain the  missed the last chance of the half from a perfect Adam perry cross.  Into extra time and both teams were missing chances before Nick notched the winner in the 107th minute.  Paul Sutherland flicking on a Jim Rae throw in and Nick knocked it home from three yards.

Team: Paterek, Burns, Rae, Sutherland, Steele, Moffat (Perry), Douglas, Scott (McLeod), Bunyon (Boyes), Reid, Cartwright subs not used: Young, Mitchell

Before the cup final we have the Division 1 Championship play-off final this Monday against St Pats, a 7pm ko at Colville Park.

Mike Lawson’s thought on Dalbeattie this season.

“I’d like to take the time to offer both congratulations and thanks to Dalbeattie Star before my thoughts turn to Spartans and the title decider on Saturday.

I was at Dalbeattie’s first game of the season when they were defeated by Heriot-Watt on the back of Skin handing in his resignation. Few then would have envisaged what Gordon Holt and his boys would achieve in the months that followed. Dalbeattie soon fought their way to the top of the league and they stayed there for most of the season. I’m sure Kenny Murray and Gordon like us all at Spartans would have settled for still having a chance of winning the title on the last league Saturday of the season and so it has turned out. Dalbeattie have also won the biggest “South” trophy when the beat Annan in the South Challenge Cup Final and are in the final of our own League Cup next weekend. I’d like to congratulate them on a magnificent season so far.

I’d also like to thank them for playing in our league. We were all disappointed when Threave Rovers decided to return to play solely in the South a few years back and of course we lost Annan to the SFL at the start of this season. Our league is all the better for it’s contribution from the “South” and I thank Kenny and his committee for staying with us. Dalbeattie are a good club ran by good people and I’m sure they’ve grown stronger as a club with a foot in both camps.

Maybe with Gretna joining us this season thoughts will turn to combining the two associations?.”

Mike - concentrating on Saturday

Our Womens team set up their league decider on Sunday against Glasgow City with a 5 – 1 away win against Hamilton Accies tonight. Goals from Di Barry 3, Debbie McWhinnie and Claire Crosbie.

The 19s lost 2 – 0 to undefeated league champions Edinburgh City at City Park.

Well done to our 14s who won 4 – 2 in the Paladin Cup Final beating Bonnyrigg Rose 4 – 2.

Finally a bit of catch up with the 1000 Club monthly draw:

February

1st Jimmy Dunnett £253

2nd Miles Rees £152

3rd Lorraine Suggest £102

March

1st Bob Dryburgh £256

2nd Shaun Millican £154

3rd Raleigh Gowrie £103

The 2nd XI lost 4 – 1 last night to Campsie Minerva in the league through in Bishopbriggs.  Adam Perry scored the goal.

A much stronger squad play Campsie again on Wednesday at Camelon Juniors in the semi final of the M&M Trophy, the ko is 7pm and we’re looking for a big Spartans turnout.

Voting closes for the Supporters Award for Unsung Hero 2008/09 on the 19th of May at 11pm. To ensure you cast your vote please send an e-mail to Cameron_Hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk with your name and who you think should win.

For anyone wanting a seat on the bus to Dalbeattie this weekend please can you click the banner above and complete the form. Once you have registered how many seats you require you will be sent a confirmation e-mail. Seats cost £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. There is a limited number of seats so please act now to avoid missing out.

If you require more information please contact Cameron Hobbs on 07962 353 645