Mike says -

“Unlike most if not all East of Scotland teams yesterday, both Easthouses and ourselves played 90 minutes of football on an excellent surface. Because it was a friendly the result was of little importance but all those involved got a good physical, competitive run out which should hopefully keep the fitness levels of both teams up during this stop, start season.

Could it have been more? We are an East of Scotland side who had a perfect playing surface available but unable to play an official game despite having a home fixture. If we could register both pitches at the Academy (I’m merely speaking for myself here and don’t know the EOS rules) it would be easy to switch pitches at the last minute. As it was we tentatively approached Lothian (about playing our King Cup-tie on the Field Turf) but they declined probably because of the earlier kick off. Either way we would have had to seek permission from the Association at least and probably do a bit more.

I’m in no way having a pop at Lothian here but if both Academy parks were able to be registered at the start of the season and teams knew when the fixtures came out that a game would go ahead on one of the pitches, they could prepare accordingly. We only approached Lothian on Friday morning when we realised the grass park would not be available and in the same position Sam and myself may have declined such a late change. 

As I say, these are my thought only and not those of the club but in an age where it’s obvious that winter weather is getting colder and wetter, having a field turf option may become a necessity rather than a luxury in future. 

We changed things around once again on the park yesterday but by the time the game finished everyone available other than Flocks (who misses next Saturday) got at least 30 minutes football. Despite going behind on the half hour we passed the ball really well for 90 minutes at a pace and tempo which pleased both Sam and myself. There is no doubt in my mind that working twice a week on an excellent surface doubled with the structured training exercises Mike puts the players through is showing dividends. Add to that the fact the squad of players are kept on their toes by a management team who don’t know their best starting 11 and you get a motivated group of individuals who try out of their skin when they get a starting jersey.

With Edinburgh losing yesterday to Glasgow in a British University cup competition our midweek league game against the students will go ahead but on Wednesday, not Tuesday as advertised. I’ll comment on the build up to that game on Tuesday morning.”

Mike

The Seniors beat Easthouses Lily 4 – 1 in a friendly today.  Easthouses took the lead after 20 minutes but a penalty from Keith McLeod and an Alex King goal gave us the lead by half time.  Keith scored on the turn early in the second half before Dean Hoskins completed the scoring.  Team: McGarrie (Flockhart), Archibald, Hoskins, Gerrard (McKibben), Sivewright (Fowlie), Manson, Kader, Malin, King (McAuley), McLeod, Vinelli

The league game against Edinburgh University this week is scheduled for Wednesday night at the Academy, ko 7.30pm.

The team bus to Dumfries for next Saturday’s South Regional Cup quarter final against Crichton has a few spaces for supporters.  Please contact Jimmy Murray if you want to travel on the bus.  It will leave the Academy at 10.45am.

As expected the Seniors game on the grass stadium pitch has been postponed, we will now play a friendly against Easthouses on the FieldTurf with a 12.30 ko.

The game against Edinburgh University on Tuesday is also in doubt as the Uni are likely to be in British Uni’s cup action on Monday if their game is postponed this evening.

It’s not looking good for any competitive football this weekend.

The Ainslie Park pitch is waterlogged tonight and the chances of it clearing overnight is minimal.  Assuming it is postponed the Seniors will play Easthouses in a friendly on the FieldTurf pitch with a 12.30pm ko.  The Juniors game at Pumpherston and the Amateurs game against Edinburgh University have already been postponed.   Our top team in Saturday 19s are also in action on the Fieldturf with a 2.30pm ko against Tranent Juniors in a league match.

Mike says -

“Before talking about tomorrow’s game I have to say how sad it was to hear the news that Bobby Smith had died. I played against Bobby a couple of times, when he was at Leicester and then again when he was at Dunfermline. He was a class act on the park but it was only when his son Chris started with out Under 19′s a few years back that I realised that Bobby was a class act off the park as well.

Bobby used to give Chris a lift to training at Peffermill and stand around in all kinds of weather, waiting to give Chris a lift home. It was only through discussing the progress Chris was making and blethering about football in general that I found out what a genuine, friendly guy Bobby was. He actually phoned me a couple of weeks back about the lack of opportunity Chris was getting with the first team. He was frank, lucid, dismissive about concerns over his health and put his points over in a pleasant yet impassioned manner. Talking to a parent in such circumstances can be uncomfortable for a manager but Bobby was a gentleman. He was proud of Chris just as much as I’m sure Chris was of his dad. 

If Chris turns out to be like his dad and half the player he was his family will be very proud. Our thoughts are with Chris, his mum and his brother at this time.

The rain following on after the snow means the Academy Park is almost completely under water. Sam, the most optimistic man on the planet is still hopeful that the Lothian game will go ahead and we prepared at training last night as though it will.

Tomorrow Lothian and ourselves will hopefully get a welcome break from trying to accumulate league points by playing a King Cup tie. The Saughton club are having another excellent season and will want to improve on their 3rd place in the table last time round. They currently sit in 2nd place and although we are on 40 points Sam and I are well aware only Lothian and Whitehill can better that total. 

 Last week Lothian beat City which might have surprised a few in previous seasons but not any more. Alan and Chick have a very good team who like ourselves will be wanting to progress in the King Cup today.

For our part, last Saturday it all fell into place, especially for Cloudie. We took a lift firstly from the game being on and then from the flat surface which allowed us to pass the ball. No two games are alike and with no disrespect to Selkirk, Lothian are a different kettle of fish altogether. I’ve been reminding the players at training that 7 days after the last time we scored 7 goals (against City) we struggled badly going down to the Vale. Last week is history and we have to prepare properly to play a really good side. We have to give Lothian the respect they are due.

We did poorly in the King Cup last season and we want to put that right this time round.

Tomorrow we’ll hopefully get to see if we can.”

Mike

Saturday 27th February 2010 – Gorgie Suite, Tynecastle, 7.30pm

A reminder that the Spartans Juniors have organised a fun filled evening to raise funds for the club at the home of Hearts on Sat 27th February.

A great opportunity to have an extending Football Saturday this weekend and have a great night out at the same time!!

The evening will take the form of:

• Game Show Night
• Buffet
• Disco
• Raffle, with many prizes to be won 
• and more!!

Tickets for the event are only £10 and it promises to be an excellent evening - we would like as many fellow Spartans players, coaches, supporters, friends and family to join us on the night.

Anyone interested in coming along to support the club please contact:

Nick Reid – 07789 926 671 (nick_reid@bankofscotland.co.uk)

Paul Sutherland – 07717 706 922 (PaulSutherland@bankofscotland.co.uk)

Mike says -

“First of all everyone involved with the First team wish big Finlay a speedy recovery. We could see the ambulance on the Field Turf but only heard the bad news after the game. Finlay is a big part of the Spartan family and I’m sure he’ll soon be back around the Academy swapping “hospital” stories with Sam. 

Yesterday morning it looked like the game could be in doubt but the fact the park saw a lot of morning sun meant everyone got a lift when they arrived at the Academy. The players got an even bigger lift when they saw how flat the surface was and they took these positive vibes into the game to give a very professional performance. Yarrow Park cut up quite badly two weeks ago and last week Fernieside had a very uneven surface so on both occasions we had to adapt or passing style to suit the conditions. Yesterday we could get the ball back down on the ground to pass it and pass it we did.

Having said that we were 20 minutes in and honours were even when Dan flighted a lovely ball onto Donal’s head for him to score with a terrific header. Cloudie then took over and showed what a good, good player he is. He scored a hat-trick in 7 minutes, 5 goals in 34 minutes and for most of his 70 minutes on the park he was unplayable. There is definitely life in the old dog yet.

Our second goal less than a minute after Donal’s header probably decided the game and was a lesson I drum into our team before every game. Selkirk took the centre, played the ball back the way and promptly lost it. Donal and Cloudie went through on big Doddsie unopposed and Donal unselfishly set his striking partner up. I hope our lot take on board the reason I make sure we knock the ball forward after any kick off we take. Anyway although Cloudie had a purple half hour the whole team and subs played very well which was more than pleasing when you remember we rested Deano, Alex and Gavin from yesterday’s starting line up.

We get a break from league action next Saturday with a cup game against Lothian but it didn’t go un-noticed that Whitehill picked up 3 points at Peffermill. The fact that it is still their league to lose is keeping every Spartan foot on the ground.  All we can do is keep the pressure on Whitehill, Lothian, Heriot-Watt and Tynecastle by winning games.

Finally although yesterday was Cloudie’s day I have to say a word about our Spaniard. Jorge is technically the most talented player in our squad and Sam and I are slowly giving him more and more game time as he adapts to how football is played in our country. His touch, awareness and weight of pass is second to none and we hope to give Mr Vinelli a good bit more time on the park in the coming weeks.

As for now, next Saturday can’t come quickly enough.”

Mike