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
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.
In weather conditions nearly as bad as at Airdrie last season we notched up another good Scottish Cup victory at Fraserburgh. Despite the conditions we passed the ball well and were too strong on the day for the younger opposition. The old Bukta light blue tops had to be rolled out due to a colour clash and after a sluggish opening ten minutes we opened the scoring against the gale. An inswinging Dean Hoskins free kick found its way into the net at the back post bouncing off Donal Henretty on its way. We were beginning to dominate the midfield and the second came on 19 minutes. A Deano corner died in the wind as the Broch winger Main scooped to head it away at the near post, the ball squeezing over the line. Keith McLeod could have added a third, first when his header was cleared off the line and secondly when the ‘keeper made a good block. Fraseburgh weren’t out of it and hit the crossbar before the SFA fine machine kicked into action. Dan Gerrard fouled a Broch player in front of the dug out and was pushed to the ground by a different and upset Broch player. Dan was booked before the linesman highlighted the push and the ref pulled out another yellow. Their manager Charlie Duncan didnt enjoy the vigilence of the linesman and found himself red carded and sent to the stand.
Despite a half time team talk asking us to focus going into the second half the Broch came out all guns blazing and pulled one back after 49 minutes. A trip by Kevin Sivewright on the edge of the box saw him booked and Main side footed the free kick into the bottom corner. The Broch tails were up and for five minutes they had most of the possession but we weathered the storm and on the hour mark following an excellent Donal run his cross was laid into the path of Alex King by Gavin Malin and Alex dispatched it into the bottom corner. Man of the match Donal them made it four a few minutes later when he ran onto a through ball, rounded the ‘keeper and stroked it home. Robbie Manson then picked up a yellow for a trip before in the last minute their scorer Main was sent off for a second yellow.
Here are the Spartans goals courtesy of Garry. First, Donal Henretty’s opener.
Then the own goal.
Alex King’s goal.
And finally, Donal’s second of the day.
Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Gerrard (O’Donnel 84), Sivewright, Fowlie, Malin, King, Manson (McAuley 72), Henretty (Kader 86), Mcleod, Hoskins Subs not used: Smith, Brown
Crowd: 426
It was a great day out. The hospitality shown by the Fraserburgh committee was superb. They are an excellent community club, all local players with first class support from local businesses. We wish them well for their Aberdeenshire Cup semi final this week and for the rest of the season.
Donal - MoM
Juniors
The juniors drew 2-2 at Sauchie in a league fixture. Nick Reid opened the scoring in the first half but Sauchie went ahead midway through the second half. An equaliser from Gary Bannon in the 89th minute saw the points shared. A good point at the end of the day, Sauchie had been on a good run. We are now sitting on 8 points after 4 league games, some 8 points behind leaders Blackburn United with 4 games in hand. Team: Paterek, Cruickshank (Thomson),Sutherland, Steele (McLeod), Hutchison, K Young, Antoni, Moffat, Robertson (Bannon), Reid, Cartwright Subs not used: Scott, Boyes, Hair
Gary - equaliser
The Amateurs game was postponed.
Womens World Cup qualifier
Scotland beat Greece 1 – 0 away in their opening World Cup qualifier witha goal from Beattie. Spartans players Diane Barry and Jo Hutcheson were unused substitutues.
In atrocious weather with driving rain and strong winds yesterday our more experienced players handled the conditions much better than the home side. Charlie Duncan the Fraserburgh manager thought that us winning the toss and kicking into the strong wind from the kick off was a big factor in the outcome. The local players continually over hit their passes with the wind at their backs whereas we progressed up the park mainly on the ground. Our two early goals gave us a great foothold in the game but I think over the piece we were worthy winners.
Sometimes in football management you make a lucky call and Sam, Mike and myself made that call on Saturday morning. With the team talk prepared and typed before we set up north we had the team set up in a 3 5 1 1 formation with Gavin sitting off Cloudie. Gavin excels in that space between midfield and up front but I was worried that our players would think we were being a bit negative with Keith as the only player up top. We wanted to have a real go so over breakfast the management team decided to push Donal up front from central midfield and pull Gavin back into the engine room. Much scribbling over the typed team talk and we were ready to go. As I say, sometimes you make a lucky call and Donal vindicated our decision by having his best game in a Spartans shirt for years.
It wasn’t all about Donal though as every player and the three introduced subs put on a display which must have pleased the vocal travelling support as much as us soaking in the away dug-out. Everyone in the Spartans dressing room appreciates the support we get on Scottish Cup days especially well away from home.
Overall it was another good day at the office for us and the expectations of a home draw in the next round on Wednesday. I can dream, can’t I?”
Spartans progressed to the 3rd round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup today with a 4-1 victory over Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park. Spartans goals came from man of the match Donal Henretty (2), Main (o.g.)and Alex King.
The draw for the 3rd round takes place on Wednesday.
Looking ahead to the Scottish Cup the Fraserburgh FC secretary has said the game will definitely be on tomorrow despite the very heavy rain in the North East over the last few days. They have a stand and a covered enclosure so there should be plenty cover for all the fans as rain is again forecast for the afternoon. The action kicks off at 3pm. Between the supporters bus, the fans going with the team directly plus quite a few travelling bus car we should have about 70 – 80 fans at the game.
The Juniors get back to league action tomorrow with an away fixture against Sauchie. Sauchie beat the previously unbeaten leaders Tranent last week and coach mark Lamb caught the second half “they look a very good team, quick and sharp around the pitch. This will certainly be our toughest league game so far. Their set up is great and the big pitch will suit both teams”. Adam Perry is still suspended and Gary Young is on holiday but the remainder of the squad are all available.
The Amateurs are at the Academy on the synthetic pitch with a 2.30pm ko against Armadale in a league game. Having won our last league game coach Dave Bryce is hoping to climb the table if we can cut down on the number of silly goals we are losing.
Over in Greece tomorrow the Scotland Womens team take on the hosts in a World Cup qualifying game with Diana Barry and Jo Hutchison both in the squad of 19. The team then play Georgia at Tynecastle this Thursday in a double header to kick off our qualifying campaign.
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.
