Viaplay Cup: Skipper sees Peterhead challenge as ‘key marker’ for season ahead

Posted on Monday, July 24th, 2023

The Spartans are back in action on Wednesday evening when they head up the A90 to continue their Viaplay Cup campaign at Peterhead (7.45pm KO).

Following back to back home fixtures against Dundee United and Falkirk, it’s the first of two away days this week and with the table having everything to play for at the half way stage, Douglas Samuel’s side head North looking to pick up vital points on the road.

It will be the first time the two teams have met and they will be well acquainted with each other by then end of the season, with a quartet of fixtures scheduled in the SPFL 2 diary.

After dogged displays against a pair of full time opponents, the Gaffer will be looking to further utilise his squad for the trip to Balmoor Stadium.

The hosts will be without player/manager Ryan Strachan who picked up a red card at Tannadice on Saturday in their 4-0 defeat and they will be out to record their first win of the group stages after suffering an agonising 9-10 shoot-out defeat at home against Partick Thistle in Match Day 1.

A familiar face in the host’s side is Connor Duthie who came to Spartans on a short term loan from Hibs in 2015-16.

For Club Captain Kevin Waugh, the tie is perhaps the most crucial clash of Group B for his side.

“That will put a marker down.  It’ll be the biggest test out of the group games so far in terms of our preparation for life in SPFL 2.  It’s fine getting yourself up for games against teams like Dundee United and Falkirk at home when there’s a big crowd, but can we roll our sleeves up and put in the same kind of performance in our bread and butter matches? 

“We’re going to have to empty our tanks the same way as we did against Dundee United when we are against anyone in League 2.  There’s absolutely no ‘gimmes’ in that league, it’s well known for being like that.

“Wednesday night will be interesting and we are all looking forward to it.  We all want to play and all want to win.  As I’ve said before, we aren’t there to make up the numbers, we’re ambitious and the way the results have gone in the games so far, there’s so much still to play for.

“We’ve got three points in the group and who says we can’t win the last two and potentially get through?.”

Useful Match Day info from our hosts:

There is car parking located at the front of Balmoor Stadium

Tickets can be purchased via the link below or from our ticket office which will be open before the match, there are NO cash turnstiles.

Ticket link: https://www.peterheadfc.co.uk/online-tickets/

Our stadium bar will be open for refreshments.

Our pie hut located within the ground is CASH only.

If you have any other enquiries please contact the club office on 01779 478256.