Archive for October, 2009
« Previous EntriesTop of the EoS league but not so good elsewhere
Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Double for Keith
With a 2 – 0 win over Edinburgh City at Meadowbank we go top of the EoS league. The same starting XI as last week took the field and we were ahead within a minute. Dean Hoskins was brought down as he drove into the box and Keith McLeod slotted the ball home. Edinburgh city came more into the game but the second came when a dinked Robbie Manson cross was headed into the top corner by Keith.
On the tight park at Meadowbank the game pretty much fizzled out for the remaining 70 minutes. Wary of losing a lead last season we played cautiously and ‘keeper Chris Flockhart was only really called into action to take a couple of tricky crosses. Keith missed a chance early in the second half and Omar came close in the last five minutes as they pushed forward. Our man of the match was Dan Gerrard who looked in control at the back.
Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins (Kader 71), Gerrard, Fowlie (c),Sivewright, Henretty, McLeod, Malin (McAuley 64), King (O’Donnel 80), Manson Subs not used: McKibben, Trialist.
The trialist was Luke Cassidy who signed after the game, Luke has played for Heriot Watt University for the last few seasons and has looked very lively in training over the last few weeks.
The Juniors drew 2 – 2 with Livingston in a tosuy affair at Ainslie Park. Joe Steele gave us the lead before they equalised from the spot after Joe handled. In a melee just before half time Joe and one of the Livingston players was ordered off, along with our coach Jim Rae. Gary Bannon did give us the lead before half time but Livingston equalised with 15 minutes to go.
Team: Paterek, Cruickshank, Steele, Sutherland, Hutchison, Cartwright (McLeod), Hair (Perry), K Young, Antoni (Scott), Moffat, Bannon Subs not used: Reid, Boyes, Robertson
The Amateurs went out of the East of Scotland cup 4 – 2 to North Berwick. First half goals from Clark Brown put us 2 – 1 ahead but they came back strongly in the second half.
Saturday Action
Friday, October 30th, 2009 The ko at Meadowbank is 2pm tomorrow for the EoS league game. Phil McKibben returns to the squad which played at Fraserburgh with everyone else fit.The Juniors are at Ainslie Park for a league game against Livingston Utd. Coach Mark Lamb has Michael Moffat doubtful and although he’s played the last few games Joe Steele is still not fully fit. the ko is 2pm, admission £4/£2 with season tickets valid.
The Amateurs play North Berwick away in the first round of the East of Scotland Cup.
Management thoughts on Edinburgh City tomorrow.
Friday, October 30th, 2009 Mike says -“At our level there is usually a real worry the week after a Scottish Cup victory. You spend your time at training trying to get the players feet back down on the ground. You try to get them to ignore the draw for the next round and concentrate on the job at hand.
As I told them on Tuesday before the home draw against Forfar was made ”Guy’s there’s two things about the Scottish Cup – 1) the next round’s not until 28th November and 2) it’s the only competition we enter we can’t feasibly win. We do have a chance however of retaining our league title – lets forget the Scottish Cup for now and concentrate on Edinburgh City.”
Despite the rhetoric you worry it’s a case of “after the Lord Mayor’s Show” but thankfully it’s City we are playing this week. Like us they had a good Scottish Cup win last Saturday and like us they had the distraction of the Third Round draw during the week. They are our “big” city rivals and there is a mutual respect between the players and clubs which eases Sam and my worries about our players mental preparation for tomorrow’s game.
Our sloppy league start means every point is vital and we’ll have to be at our very best to pick any up at Medowbank. As far as the team goes it would be very hard for Sam or I to leave out anybody after the magnificent performance in terrible conditions the players gave at the Broch. We have had one player suffering from the flu this week and Sam and I will make a final decision on the line up at 1.00 tomorrow.
We are all looking forward to the game.”
Win for Scotland
Thursday, October 29th, 2009 Scotland beat Georgia 3 – 1 tonight at Tynecastle in a Womens World Cup qualifier in a game shown live on BBC Alba. Spartans Di Barry came on in the 83rd minute for her 5th cap. Jo Hutcheson was an unused sub. Spartans coach Shelley Kerr was the expert analyser for the TV coverage although she could only chat in English rather join her fellow commentators in Gaelic!Full Third Round Scottish Cup Draw and Management thoughts on Forfar
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 The full Third Round draw isAirdrie United v Queen of the South
Ross County v Berwick Rangers
Whitehill Welfare or Threave Rovers v Inverurie Locos
Deveronvale or Buckie Thistle v Ayr United
Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic
Albion Rovers v Elgin City
Stirling Albion v Huntly or Auchinleck Talbot
Clyde v Livingston
Irvine Meadow v Arbroath
Edinburgh City v Keith
Wick Academy v Brechin City
Stenhousemuir v Cove Rangers
Greenock Morton v Dumbarton
Montrose v East Fife
Raith Rovers v Peterhead
Spartans v Forfar Athletic
Mike says -
“I couldn’t be happier with the draw. At long last we are at home and the added bonus is that we are playing against old friends. Don’t get be wrong, Forfar are going great guns and will be overwhelming favourites but if we play at our very best we have a chance.
It goes without saying that everyone involved with Spartans have been delighted at how successful Ross has been since he stepped up to the SFL. He has kept in touch and both he and his dad are involved with Spartans on the social side with the organisation of our “smokers”. It’s a tie and a day we are all looking forward to.”
Mike
Scottish Cup draw
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 We have drawn Forfar Athletic at home in Round 3 of the Scottish Cup. A welcome back to Spartans for Ross Campbell who is having a great season, banging in loads of goals.Some news items
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 We have drawn Edinburgh City at home in the last 16 of the South Regional Cup. The game will be played on Saturday 21st November….another home draw in the Scottish Cup will give us four home games in a row in November! We won this trophy last season and this is a tough tie as we try and retain it.The Scottish Cup draw will be updated on the website as soon as we know it, the draw is scheduled to start at 2pm. We are no 28 in the draw!
There is a prize for guessing the Spartans player featured in the new pic in the top left panel of the home page of the website (ctrl F5 if it doesnt come up).
The club has some spare tickets for the Civil Service Strollers Sportsmans Dinner this Saturday (31st), please contact Sam Lynch if you want to go along on the Spartans table.
John McCabe appointed Youth Section Club Manager
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
John McCabe has been appointed as Spartans FC Youth Club Manager with effect from 1st November. John has provided us with a short introduction. Everyone at Spartans Youth section is delighted to have John as part of the team.
My name is John McCabe, and I’m the new Youth Section Club Manager (effective 1st November). I’m 55 years old, married, with one child. I’ve recently taken early retirement from a career in education. For thirty-one years, I worked in various high schools around the city of Edinburgh. During that time I managed an Education Support Service, working with children and families to maintain the child’s attendance at their local school, and to avoid the need for them to be taken into the care of their local authority.
I joined The Spartans in 1978, and during my playing career, I played for all three of the Club’s adult teams. I have coached the 1st and 2nd XI’s, and taken on administrative duties for the Club, including that of being the SFA Secretary, since my coaching and playing days came to an end. At present, I am a Director of the Football Club; a Trustee of The Spartans Community Football Academy; and an Executive Member of the East of Scotland Football League.
I look forward to my new role as Club Manager of The Spartans Youth Section, and to having the opportunity to work with all of the coaches, officials and parents associated with the Youth Section.
I will be at The Academy on Saturday mornings starting THIS Saturday and contactable via email and mobile ‘phone.
Email: ClubManager@spartansfcyouth.com
Mobile: 07928 382863
Sunday News
Sunday, October 25th, 2009 Congratulations to Gavin Malin and Dean Hoskins who have been selected in the EoS Under 23 team to play Livingston FC next Monday (2nd Nov) in a friendly at Almondvale, ko 7.30pm.Our Sunday Amateur team beat Oxgangs 2 – 0 in a league game this afternoon, Michael Watson and Steve Hamilton with the goals.
A couple of pics from yesterday…
Sunday, October 25th, 2009 …the Fraserburgh photographer doing an excellent job given the circumstances
Donal's first goal...not Sivvy!
AK knocks home the third
Dan about to be booked