To ensure the squad stay match fit the Seniors have fixed up a friendly against junior team Arniston Rangers at Dalkeith HS tonight, ko 7.30pm.

Our EoS 19s beat Strollers 2 – 1 this afternoon in a league game.  Despite having most of the play we were behind at half time but kept our heads well and played with real spirit and determination.  Andrew Sinclair equalised from the spot and then scored the winner. The Sunday amateurs went down 4 – 1 against Boca Juniors.  we were 2 – 0 at the break before pulling one back from Aliou Faye but Boca went on to win comfortably.

The first shows Robbie just before he slots the ball past Kevin Swain, the Lothian ‘keeper

Robbie - composed

Secondly Keith celebrating his winner

Cloudy - celebrations

Our EoS 19s take on Civil Service Strollers at the Academy at 4.15 this afternoon.  Coach Gary McLelland has been pleased with a good turn out at training and pleased with their friendly against our Saturday amateurs played last Tuesday.

The Amateurs take on Boca Seniors in a league game at the Academy.  The ko is 2.30 but coach Kenny Cameron is missing a few regulars and may have to include himself in the squad.

The Seniors stay clear at the top of the league after a 2 – 1 win over Lothian Thistle.  It was an exciting game with Lothian taking the lead in the 8th minute.  Wayne McIntosh rounding Chris Flockhart to score after gaps appeared in our defence.  We equalised ten minutes later when Robbie Manson took advantage of a slip by their left back “Shaggy” and slotted home. 

Robbie - equaliser

We went ahead on the half hour mark.  Robbie set up Keith McLeod who fired home from ten yards.  Keith had been booked ealier after an altercation with a Lothian defender and some referees might have taken further action.  The action was end to end with both teams coming close before the half time whistle went.

The pace kept up in the second half.  We came closest to scoring when Gavin Malin slotted wide after a mazy run which saw him beat 4 defenders.  Omar Kader the fired over from close range after a delightful through pass from Jorge Vinneli, Jorge setting up the move with a nutmeg which bemused the Lothian defender.  McIntosh did have one final chance for Lothian by Chris Flockhart smothered his drive.  The Spartans man of the match was defender Dan Gerrard.  Dan showed great strength and determination on a tricky surface.  Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins, Gerrard, Sivewright, Manson, McAuley, King (Kader 62), McLeod, Henretty Malin (Vinelli 78) Subs not used: Fowlie, O’Donnell, Cassidy Att 151

The Juniors went behind at Blackburn before scoring twice before half time.  Kenny Young and Michael Moffat were the scorers and we seemed in control. 

Kenny - equaliser

Unfortunately Blackburn scored twice in the second half to take the points on a very muddy pitch as we couldnt get the ball down and play.  Team: Paterek, Cruickshank, Boyes (Perry), Sutherland (Reid), Steele, Scott, Antoni, Moffat, Robertson (Cartwright), Preston, K Young Subs not used: G Young, Trialist, McLeod

The Amateurs had a convincing 6 – 2 over Whitburn.  We were 3 – 0 up at half time with Ronnie Napier taking encouragement from last night’s website preview to score a hat-trick.  Whitburn pulled two goals back early in the second half but two more goals from Ronnie and one from Mark Howell gave us the points.

In last nights Under 16 action Alloa beat us 4 – 3 in a great game played in foggy conditions.  We would love the chance for the top teams in our Youth section to take on SFL opposition on a more regular basis.

At last we are back with some competitive football tomorrow for the first time in almost 6 weeks.  The Seniors big league game at the Academy against Lothian Thistle looks set to go ahead.   The ko is 2pm, the pitch is wet after the heavy rain but it is in good condition.  Danny O’Donnell and Stewart Fowlie both trained last night which means Mike and Sam will have a full squad to choose from.  We won 2 – 0 at Lothian earlier in the season but the wind was the winner that day.  In a tribute for Jim Martin we will do a minutes applause for Jim Martin before the kick off in our first competitive game since he passed away. 

The Juniors have swapped their game against Blackburn Utd to Blackburn’s ground with City Park not in ideal condition, ko is 1.45.  With two great friendly wins this week manager David Cowan has some tough selection choices.  Blackburn sit second in the table so a win for us would give us a great start to 2010.         

The Amateurs are at the Academy on the FieldTurf against Whitburn in a league game, ko 2.30pm.  We finished 2009 in great form.  Promotion isn’t yet beyond us yet but we need to keep winning.   Ronnie Napier has been banging in the goals since he came from Uni football and coach Dave Bryce will be hopeful that his squad haven’t lost too much match fitness over the enforced break.

The Juniors beat a Cowdenbeath XI 8 – 1 this evening.  The goals came from Iain Cartwright 4, Struan Preston 2, Adam Perry and Kenny Young.