South Challenge Cup | 3rd Round tie sets up Student clash

Posted on Friday, October 11th, 2019

It’s a break from Lowland League duties for The Spartans as Dougie Samuel’s side go on the search for silverware over the next two weekends, commencing with a South Region Challenge Cup tie at home on Saturday against the University of Stirling.

The 3rd Round tie is one of a hat-trick of all Lowland League clashes as the sides meet for the first time this season following their aborted attempt on the opening day of the campaign due to a heavily waterlogged pitch back in… July!

Both teams have experienced a mixed bag of outcomes thus far in their endeavours with the teams sitting eighth and tenth in the table, with the Ainslie Park side occupying the loftier position.

League standings however, as clichés dictate, go out of the window in the knock-out competition that ensures the tie must be played out to a finish on the day. With no Typhoons anticipated for North Edinburgh and our astro surface in order, there will be no requirement for a hotline to Judith Ralston for any early morning updates on whether the weather will put this fixture on hold.

Our opponents made it to last year’s semi final whilst The Spartans will be keen to progress to the latter stages of the tournament, which they last done in 2016 when they reached the Final.

Kick-off is 3pm. Admission: Adults £7, Concessions £4, Under 16s Free. We are committed to offering affordable football for all.

We are delighted to also note that the Academy are also doing some tackling of their own off the pitch on match days too. The Spartans Community Football Academy are tackling period poverty and free sanitary products are available in the toilet areas.

Fact of the Day: In 2007, the Scottish FA decided to abolish the two Qualifying Cup competitions and give direct access to the Scottish Cup for all Senior clubs, as well as up to four Junior clubs. To compensate for the demise of the tournaments, two new ones were put in its place – the North Challenge Cup and South Challenge Cup. The Qualifying Cup was originally introduced in 1895.