Mike says -

” I warned about “banana skins” on Friday but I didn’t realise how slippy it was going to be. Our players were down after the game with the timing and nature of the second equaliser but I told them Mike and I couldn’t fault them for effort. In the long run we can’t be sure if that was two points lost or a point gained. Strollers may be near the bottom of the league but they are a big strong team who play with a lot of heart and will upset more than Spartans before the season is out.

After dropping points I usually wake up on a Sunday agonising over the team selection or formation “what could I have done before and during the game to change the outcome?” but this morning was different. There was enough agony watching Andy Murray but the nagging question in the back of my head was “should I have allowed the game to go ahead?”. If either Keith Stewart or myself had not fancied it the referee would not have played the game. He even spoke to both managers at half-time and was willing to call a halt to proceedings. Were the conditions a leveller? did they help the underdog? I don’t know but Saturday afternoons are about a game of football and the ground though difficult wasn’t dangerous and I’m glad it went ahead. Some players handle adverse conditions better than others and it’s not always who you think will struggle or excel who actually do.  

There are many ups and downs in a league campaign and yesterday we lost our first league points away from home. After a shaky start the players have been on a magnificent run and Sam and I are both delighted with the skill and endeavour they have shown. Two points lost or one point gained?

Time will tell.”

Mike

With the pitch just passing an inspection at 1.30 co-manager Mike Lawson stuck with last week’s starting XI.  We opened very brightly on the bone hard pitch and had three good chances early on.  Robbie Manson hit the bar with a free kick, Donal Henretty fired over from close range and then had a header cleared off the line.

Strollers came more into the game having one chalked off for offside in what was a close decision.  It was pretty even for the remainder of the half which ended goalless.

We took only four minutes of the second half to open the scoring Alex King found Ross Archibald in the inside left position and he slotted it past the ‘keeper…not sure how he ahd moved from his right back beat.  Strollers equalised only three minutes later Allan Dillon heading home a corner.

The game was scrappy but half chances came and went before in the 70th minute Donal Henretty ran on to a through ball and poked it past the ‘keeper.

Strollers were using their height advantage to good effect at set pieces and we looked dangerous on the break but just when it looked like we would take home the points they equalised.  After clearing a corner the second cross rebounded from Chris Flockhart and was knocked into the net by ex Spartan Danny Forbes from close range.  On chances created a draw was a fair result, the Spartans man of the match was Donal Henretty who looked dangerous throughout.

Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins, Gerrard, Sivewright, Manson (Fowlie 76), McAuley, King, Malin (Kader 73), Henretty, McLeod Subs not used: Cassidy, Vinelli, O’Donnell.

The Amateurs game was postponed today.

The Academy is busy again tomorrow with four youth games scheduled plus a friendly between our Womens 1st XI and 2nd XI for their first pre-season friendly.  Andy Murray’s tennis final will also be on live in the cafe/bar.

Unfortunately the Juniors game against Dalkeith at home today has been postponed.  Most of the pitch is playable but the goalmouths are frozen and the temerature isn’t set to rise significantly.

The game has been re-arranged for this Tuesday, ko 7.30pm.

The Seniors game is still on but the referee is inspecting it at 1.30pm.

The Seniors game at Muirhouse kicks off at 2pm.  Co-manager Sam Lynch was in hospital earlier this week to get a pretty major op on his hip.  He’s going to be on crutches for several weeks and its unlikely he’ll make it down tomorrow but hopefully he’ll be back in the fold soon.  He can only be faster on his crutches than he was walking before his op anyway.  We’re not sure who from the coaching team will pick up Sam’s mantle to keep the ref on his toes.

The Juniors are at the Academy in a league game against Dalkeith.  KO is also 2pm, admission is £4/£2.  Ex  Hearts full time youth player Dale Baxter has now signed after a couple of games as a trialist.  Phil McKibben is also playing with the Juniors tomorrow to help get to match fitness.  After three defeats in close games we are keen to bounce back to winning ways against a Dalkeith team who are on a winning run.

The Amateurs face Edinburgh Uni 2s in a cup game at Peffermill.  The Uni are in sitting third in the Premier League, the league above us so it will be a big test for coach Dave Bryce and his team.  Ross Hutchison is unlikely to be back in action after missing last week through injury and we have a number of other injury worries.  Assistant Coach Kenny MacDonald is likely to ne maned on the bench however with Ronnie Napier banging in the goals it should be a close game.

We have been drawn to play Crichton away in the quarter final of the SFA Regional Cup, the game to be played on 6th March.  We don’t think we have played Crichton before, they play in Dumfries, close to the hospital.

Stewart with the Regional Cup after our win last season

Mike says -

“If I’m honest I have to say I’m very apprehensive about tomorrow’s trip to Muirhouse. The fans forums are overwhelmingly in favour of an away win and a couple of weeks ago Civil went down 2-0 to our Juniors. If our players don’t mentally prepare correctly for the game we will be in trouble. This could be a banana skin with a capital “B”.

Before the game I’ll point out to the players that we were overwhelming favourites against Tynecastle at home this season in the league yet came a cropper and I still have memories of a fired up Strollers team beating us on the field turf last season. The Civil Service boys were well fired up for that game and we weren’t.

Last week we were back playing on grass for the first time in 6 weeks and at times it showed. Lothian are a very good side and the result hung in the balance for long spells.  We did however grind out a result and first and foremost that’s what Sam and I want tomorrow.

Strollers are much better that their league position would suggest and caused us all sorts of problems early on in the reverse fixture. They are another team who try to play the game in the right manner and are a credit to our division. Civil have games in hand and will no doubt finish mid table.

For our part Danny O’Donnell and Stewart Fowlie returned from injury in a friendly against Arniston on Tuesday as everyone in the squad finally got some game time under their belts. Sam and I are in the enviable position of being able to ring a few changes or leave well alone without altering the shape and quality of the side. 

We are really happy with the strength in depth we have available to us but know that whoever gets the nod will have to be at their very best if we are to pick up the three points. 

Time will tell”

In tonights friendly the seniors drew 3 – 3 with Arniston Rangers.  We came from 3 – 1 down, the goals coming from Omar kader, Ross Archibald and Alex King.

On a different note the most expensive ever Spartans programme was sold on eBay today – one from the East of Scotland League between Hibs Reserves and Spartans in September 1951 (our first season) which went for £85.77!  We were a bit slow to react to the bidding as the club might have gone a bit higher so if you know who bought it a deal might be on.