Mike says -

“Tynecastle are an excellent side with two or three exceptional players so it stands to reason that Sam and I are delighted we picked up the three points yesterday. As a club Tynecastle have come a long way in the last few seasons both on and off the park. On the park they are now contenders for all competitions in East of Scotland football and must be treated with respect by us all. Off the park the new pavilion is streets ahead of the old portacabin. It’s a pity for a team who try to play the ball on the ground that the Council can’t send along a roller when they are lining and cutting the park. The condition of the pitch hindered two good teams from playing football in the correct manner and with chances not being taken in the defensive third, it turned out more of a “long ball” day than both management teams would have wanted.    

Although we created more chances the first half was fairly even but we stepped up the pace in the second. Our experience, fitness levels and being able to bring quality off the bench for the final push saw us more likely to add to our two goals rather than losing the very late goal as we did. That put a bit of a damper on proceedings and I felt a bit flat immediately after the game as I thought Dan and Kevin especially, deserved a clean sheet. As it set in than we had increased our lead at the top of the league to 8 points the smile returned to my face and I was able to enjoy my post match pint.

We have five league games left and are at home to Selkirk at the Academy next week. It took an own goal with less than 10 minutes to go at Yarrow Park 8 days ago to pick up the points and the players will be reminded of that a few times this week. As for selecting the team Sam and I will have a pleasant headache as next Saturday approaches. I’ve said who I hoped to bring in the follow week in my last couple of Sunday round-ups but I’ll leave well alone this morning.

All I will say is despite being 8 points clear Whitehill can go 5 points ahead of us and it’s therefore their league to loose. We need everyone in our squad to be on their toes and desperate to play. Sam and I can’t keep everybody happy every Saturday but we hope to make them realise that each and everyone of them is as important as each other and will play their part in trying to retain the title.

Some things are easier said than done.”

There are a small number of spaces left on the Academy Youth and Children’s coaching course “Play like Gerrard” which starts tomorrow Monday 15th at the Academy. There is coaching on each morning between 10 and 12. As before there will be three age groups:

- 3 to 4 (£25/week or £5/day)

- 5 to 8 (£30/week or £5/day)

- 9 to 14 (£30/week or £5/day)

To book call Debbi or Kenny on 0131 552 7854 or just turn up at 9.30 tomorrow morning to register.

Robbie - opener

The Seniors and Juniors both recorded fine wins today.
The Seniors management rotation syatem saw Gavin Malin and Robbie Manson return to the starting line up. On a surface even worse than Motherwells neither team could get their passing game working in the first half. Gavin and Keith Mcleod came closest for us when both shot straight at the ‘keeper when through on goal.
We’re not sure what was in the half time cuppa or team talk but it certainly made the difference in the second half for us. We were sharper, kept the ball really well and looked dangerous.  Just five minutes into the seond half and after good work by Danny O’Donnel, Keith’s cross was nodded home by Robbie Manson.   The second came five minutes later when Keith ran onto a through ball and tucked it home.  Omar Kader struck the post as we continued to create chances.

Tynecastle stuck at their task and pulled one back with the last kick of the match when Mearns netter from close range.

Good performances from Dan Gerrard and Kevin Sivewright at the back although both were booked but the Spartans man of the match was Keith Mcleod who started with a petulant 15 minutes before becoming the match winner.

Team: Flockhart, O’Donnell, Fowlie, Gerrard, Sivewright, Archibald, Manson, King, Malin (Henretty 66), McLeod (Vinelli 87), Hoskins (Kader 72) Subs not used Smith, McAuley

The Juniors recorded back to back wins this week with a 3-1 victory over Broxburn United in the Fife & Lothians Cup.  Adam Perry failed a late fitness test with Iain Cartwright coming in as the only change from the seond half team which played in midweek. 

We started the brighter team and opened the scoring when Bannon laid the ball back and Young who fired into the top corner from 20 yards.
Midway through the first half the small crowd was treated to the goal of the game, unfortunately for the home side this was scored by Broxburn. Following a deep cross from the right, the Broxburn striker unleashed an unstoppable bicycle kick from 15 yards high into the corner of the net.

Broxburn started the second half the better team and an outstanding save from Paterek kept the scored level.

Spartans took the lead with 20 minutes to go following a mistake by the away defence. The Broxburn central defender dwelled on the ball and was tackled, the ball broke to Moffat who calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner.

Michael - crucial second goal

Spartans passage to the third round of the Cup was sealed with 10 minutes remaining. Reid was fouled 25 yards from goal and Kenny Young stepped up and struck a spectacular strike high to the goalkeepers left.

It was not the best performance by the home side however the defence looked more solid than it has for quite some time.

Team: Paterek, Cruickshank, McKibben, Steele, Scott, Moffat (McLeod), Bannon (Robertson), Antoni, K Young, Reid, Cartwright (Baxter) Unused – Keeson, Trialist

The Amateurs unfortunately went down 2 – 1 to Tynecastle in the league, the winner a deflected 20 yard effort with 2 minutes remaining.  Ronnie Napier getting our goal.

Our EoS 19s are back in action tomorrow witha  crucial League Cup game against Easthouses at City Park.  The ko is 2pm with the winner going through to the semi final.

Our Sunday Amateurs are also back in action after the break caused by the weather.  They are in league action against Ryrie’s Alba at Saughton with a  3pm ko.

Tomorrow’s Seniors action kicks off at 2.30 at Fernieside and as the Evening News says tonight it should be a cracking game.

At Ainslie Park our Juniors take on Broxburn Athletic in a Fife and Lothians Cup game.  We drew 1 – 1 at City Park in the league earlier in the season.  We were 1 – 0 down at half time before equalising, and had chances towards the end to seal a victory.   Manager Dave Cowan was delighted with Wednesday’s comeback with the second half substitutes staking a claim for a starting position.  The update text to the chairman after 30 minutes was “2 – 0 down, rubbish” but after a motivating half time team talk the players took the plaudits.   Paul Sutherland and Struan Preston are still missing tomorrow but all the players from Wednesday came through the game with no problems.  Tomorrow’s game goes straight to penalties if it is a draw after 90 minutes, for this Cup the entrance price is £5/£3.  Ko is 2pm.

The Amateurs also play Tynecastle away in a critical league game.  Manager Dave Bryce is overseas on business so it will be down to the experienced coaching due of Doug Cowie and Kenny McDonald to ensure our good run continues.  French wonderkid Alex Ouvry is expected to return to action after 2 months out with an ankle injury.

Mike says -

“On Tuesday when the players came in to training there were two enlarged match reports attached to the home dressing room wall at the Academy. One covered our home league encounter with Tynecastle on 29th August and was entitled “Tynecastle make out of sorts Spartans suffer”. The other covered Tynecastle’s last game a couple of weeks ago at Meadowbank Stadium and it didn’t have a headline as such. The top of the report however read “Edinburgh City 1 Tynecastle 5″.

Should Sam and myself have to motivate our lot tomorrow? I hope not.

We have played 22 games so far this season – won 17, drawn 1 and lost 4. In three of our four losses we didn’t play that badly and on another day could have won or drawn. The other loss was against Tynecastle where we failed to turn up. Now that result was partially because of the skill and commitment of the opposition but it was also down to a dreadful display by the majority of those in Spartans colours. Tomorrow we have a squad of players who have something to prove to a recently promoted team who turned up at the Academy in late August expecting an examination of their abilities by the Premier League champions.  Need I say more.

The task in hand is a difficult one. The 5-1 scoreline against City surprised everybody in East of Scotland football but it shouldn’t have. People have spoken for months about 3 potential league winners this season – Lothian, Whitehill and ourselves. Under the radar have slipped the new kids on the block from Fernieside but it’s not lost on me that if they win their games in hand they go above Lothian into second place. 4 teams can now win the Premier title this season and believe me, Tynecastle are one of them.

We didn’t play badly at Selkirk last Saturday but we’d be kidding ourselves if we thought we played well. A surface which cut up and stubborn defending from the home team didn’t help but the truth is we didn’t fire on all cylinders. We will change things around a bit tomorrow without losing the shape our direction of the team.

There are only 6 leagues left for ourselves and each and every game is as important as the other. The 6 games are 6 cup finals and Sam and I will use the very talented core of our squad across these 6 games.

Tomorrow should be a belter of a game and I can’t wait for it.”

Mike

Spartans Juniors won an entertaining game at Ainslie Park this evening 4-3.  After going two behind within the first 30 minutes, Spartans pulled a goal back when Perry scored from close range in first half injury time.  Kenny Young equalised for Spartans early in the second half from the penalty spot after Michael Moffat was fouled in the box.  Spartans had a glorious opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the match, however, Reid managed to miss from half a yard in probably the worst miss in the strikers illustrious career.

Spartans then fell behind again from a set piece, United skipper Pullen heading back across goal for Zavaroni to turn the ball home from close range.  Perry scored Spartans second equaliser, and his second, turning home a rebound after Kenny Young’s freekick was saved by former Spartans keeper Livie.  The points were wrapped up with 15 minutes remaining when Cruickshank fired a left foot half volley in off the cross bar.

Spartans Team – Paterek, Cruickshank, McKibben, Steele, Scott, Bannon, Moffat (Boyes), Antoni, Baxter (Reid), K.Young, Perry (Cartwright) Unused – G.Young, Robertson, McLeod.

The stadium pitch at the Academy was in great condition tonight and it looks like tomorrow’s league game for the Juniors against Edinburgh  Utd will go ahead – ko is 7.30.  Coach David Cowan was very pleased with Saturday’s friendly win against Edinburgh City although he will be missing both Paul Sutherland and Struan Preston through injury, and James Hair is doubtful.  We still have a very strong squad including Phil McKibben on loan from the Seniors.  Admission is £4/£2 and Spartans season tickets are valid.