Viaplay Cup: Spartans get set to face Falkirk

Posted on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023

The Spartans welcome Falkirk FC to Ainslie Park on Tuesday night in the next instalment of Viaplay Cup Group B.

After the plaudits from the weekend’s win over Championship side Dundee United, the back slapping turns its attentions to another energy sapping encounter, this time against John McGlynn’s cinch League 1 outfit.

Blair Henderson’s first half strike and a penalty save by Blair Carswell secured Douglas Samuel’s side a historic victory in front of a crowd of 1701.

With two challenging fixtures in close proximity, the Gaffer may well look to shuffle his pack tonight, with new signing Danny Denholm available for selection.

For Falkirk, it’s the visitors first competitive outing of the season following a trio of pre-season outings that saw them defeat Civil Service Strollers and Bonnyrigg Rose before narrowly being edged out by the odd goal in three at the weekend against Arbroath.

There’s another roll out of an Eamonn Bannon stat for this encounter as the former Spartans player and last Saturday’s hospitality guest was the Bairns Manager for a total of 20 games between May to December 1996.

Looking back in the archives, there’s been a couple of meetings between the clubs.

In July 2014, the sides met in the Ronnie Swan Challenge Tournament, played in memory of Mr Spartans.  In sweltering heat on day 1 of the weekend four team tourney that also featured Livingston and Dunfermline, Spartans ran out 4-1 winners with doubles from Kevin Motion and Matty Cunningham.  Cameron Blues netted for Falkirk.

Blues was also back at Ainslie Park two years later in the Falkirk Youth side who defeated the young Spartans side by the same scoreline.  Cameron Dawson got the only goal for the hosts against their loftier opponents who saw Kevin O’Hara – who recently signed for Hamilton – net a hat-trick, with Conor Langton grabbing the other.   One surviving member of that Spartans side, Mikey Allan, is likely to feature this evening.

Kick-off at Ainslie Park is 7.45pm. Tickets can be either purchased in advance via Fanbase or supporters can pay at the gate.

Parking directly at the ground will be limited / unlikely. There is on street parking nearby along with neighbouring Morrison’s where you could get your messages before or after the game whilst you are parked there.

Season tickets are NOT valid for Viaplay Cup fixtures.

Despite our very best efforts, the City of Edinburgh Council have yet to approve the continued use of the Newtown Roofing & Building stand following the expiration of the temporary safety certificate issued for last season’s promotion winning play-off games.  As you might imagine we are hugely frustrated.

We highly recommend any supporters who wish to sit in the stand, which accommodates 504 spectators, to arrive early.

On a more positive note, we have a signed off capacity of 3500 excluding the stand which will offer sufficient space for all spectators coming along.

Coming to Ainslie Park for the first time? Here’s our handy guide.