Archive for October, 2009
« Previous Entries Next Entries »Belated catch up on the Saturday action
Sunday, October 25th, 2009 SeniorsIn 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.
Management Reflections on a Scottish Cup win at Fraserburgh.
Sunday, October 25th, 2009 Mike says -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?”
Mike
Spartans progress after impressive victory
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 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.
Saturday action
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 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.
Management thoughts on the Scottish Cup
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 Mike says -“The build up to a Scottish Cup Saturday is unlike every other Saturday in the season for Spartans. In our domestic football, be it league or cup, there is a pressure which comes with invariably being favourites to win. That expectation brings with it an apprehension and anxiety to Sam and myself which is only released by a positive result.
The Scottish Cup on the other hand is the only competition we enter we can´t win so although there is pressure it´s to show what a good side we are. To show those outwith our league what a good standard an EOS side can play to. We all look forward to these games and a chance to pit our skills against a team from a different league.
As usual we have an away tie and an overnight stay ahead of us. There is a keen rivalry between the EOS and the HL with scores between sides noted by all concerned.
Sam and I watched the Broch win their last two games and we´ve been passed extra information by Windy Miller of Bonnyrigg. Fraserburgh are a fit, energetic young side with lots of pace especially up front. Charlie Duncan has been around as long as I have and he´ll have them well fired up on Saturday. We can´t wait.
For our part Alex King, Donal Henretty and Danny O´Donnell got 90 minutes under their belts last week at Coldstream. From the team which won at Home Park Ross Archibald and Gavin Malin will come back into the starting line-up although Sam and I have still to decide who will drop out.
Scottich Cup games at our level are all about 14 players and Sam and I are well aware of that. Saturday can´t come quickly enough”
Mike
Bus details for Saturday
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Just to confirm that there is a bus running to Fraserburgh on Saturday. The Bus will leave Ainslie Park at 8:30 on Saturday morning and return right after the game.We still have some seats available so if you would like to go to the game please send your details to Cameron_hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk
A reminder that the bus costs £12/£8
Bus to Fraserburgh – Reminder
Monday, October 19th, 2009 A reminder we are running a Spartans Supporters bus to Fraserburgh. The bus will leave Ainslie park at 8:30 on Saturday and will cost £12/£8.We are limited to just 49 seats so please e-mail Cameron_Hobbs@blueyonder.co.uk or click the banner to book your seat!!
More scores from yesterday..
Monday, October 19th, 2009 Unfortunately our Womens team lost 6 – 1 to Glasgow City in the league yesterday. City took a two goal lead and then our ‘keeper Jo Hutchison was sent off for a handball outside the box. A player short against the favourites for the title was much to difficult.Our EoS 19s drew 1 – 1 away to Civil Service Strollers in the league, Jamie Walsh scoring our goal.
Sunday best
Sunday, October 18th, 2009 Foster’s Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy second roundSpartans 2 Redhall Star 1
The Sunday amateur team produced their best performance of the season to overcome league leaders Redhall Star in the Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy today. Redhall beat Spartans 7-1 in a league meeting earlier this season and the visitors went into this game unbeaten all season. But Spartans, back to full strength for the first time in several weeks, were not overawed. Playing on the stadium pitch at Ainslie Park for the first time, Kenny Cameron’s men were 1-0 up at half time thanks to a stunning long-range strike into the roof of the net from outstanding American winger Daniel Chille, whose pace and dribbling posed a threat all afternoon. Dean Shanks showed composure when one-on-one with the goalkeeper to slot home the second midway through the second half, and although Redhall pulled one back with a header five minutes from time, Spartans held on for a deserved win.
Team: S Smith, M Leask, J Murray, M Watson, A Graham (O Lee 74), L Shanks, D Chille, P Johnson, D Shanks, R Pennett (S Hamilton 88), J Quinn.
Management Reflections on a fine victory at Home Park
Sunday, October 18th, 2009 Mike says -“Yesterday was the best we have played this season, well for 82 minutes at least. After Coldstream scored they got up a little head of steam and another goal before the end would have made the last few minutes interesting. Despite the distractions of next week and a few changes to the line up we started with the right attitude, at the right pace and kept a good tempo up for the majority of the game.
We should have been more than Stewart’s “one goal a season” at half-time and that was a bit of a worry as Coldstream are dangerous and were always going to have their “spell” in the game. Thankfully Cloudie and Robbie scored within three minutes of each other with half an hour to go and that put us in the hat for the next round of the Challenge Cup. Alex, Danny and Donal got 90 minutes under their belt and if Wee Eck’s ankle shows no ill effect that should sets us up nicely for next Saturday and the Scottish Cup.
There seems to be a debate among the supporters about Sam and my best starting 11 but on Scottish Cup Saturday’s we never think of that number. For us to get past the very big hurdle at Bellsea Park next week we’ll need top performances from 14 players. Having fit and able players to come on at any stage of the game is very important in the “big one”. Who will ever forget Kenny Hughes’s winner against Alloa at City Park.
Resting players yesterday gave others much needed “game” time and also Sam and I problems about selecting the team to face the Broch. That’s the way Sam and I would want it before the Scottish Cup.
We can’t wait.”
Mike
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