Spartans look for fringe benefits in Edinburgh derby clash

Posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

Spartans will seek to build on their opening day victory in the Scottish Sun Lowland League when they welcome capital rivals Edinburgh City to Ainslie Park on Wednesday.

The greatest show on earth is already underway in Edinburgh and we can expect all the drama, tension and excitement of a box office hit in what promises to be another close derby encounter in round two of the Lowland League season.

Our visitors swept aside Vale of Leithen on Saturday and the team tipped by Spartans Manager Dougie Samuel as his ‘dark horses for the title’ make the short trip across the busy capital with an air of confidence about themselves.

In his match programme notes, Samuel writes, “This is the first of a minimum of four fixtures this coming season against our nearest rivals.  Games against City are always hugely competitive and tight affairs that can go either way, which is exactly the type of game we are expecting and have prepared for.

“There are several positives we could take away (from Saturday’s win v Stirling) and, we hope, can build on.  Our ‘speed of play’ and ball retention was excellent in spells, we created several opportunities to score and we restricted our opening day opponents to a handful of chances.”

Last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stirling Uni was executed with a somewhat depleted side and gaffer Samuel is saddled with more of the same as Kevin Sivewright and Willie Bremner drop out however they are replaced in the squad by Mikey Bruce and John Grant who are both now available to play.

If you like your football and are visiting Scotland’s Capital for the first time, come and enjoy the beautiful game at wallet friendly prices. Adults £5, Concessions £3 and U/15s are FREE!  Season tickets are also available on the gate.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm.