SPFL 2: Watson urges team to take midweek momentum on the road again

Posted on Friday, February 16th, 2024

After a hard fought 0-0 draw on the road at Dumbarton in midweek, The Spartans make the 260 mile round trip to Stranraer, in round 24 of the 36 game debut SPFL 2 campaign.

With the treatment table having had its work cut out of late, positive shoots of recovery may see welcome returnees to the squad for a return trip to the scene of a seven-goal thriller last time the sides met at Stair Park.

The bond of togetherness within the home changing room is a place that finds Kieran Watson in a positive headspace ahead of the game.

“It’s a busy month so far with midweek games added in and we’ve picked up a few injuries along the way which we obviously weren’t bargaining for however the squad is strong and is more than capable of competing with what’s thrown at us.

“Going away to Dumbarton and keeping a clean sheet was never going to be easy.  You saw the desire from the boys during the week to ensure they took something out of the game following the disappointment of two narrow defeats.   The likes of Dish making that last gasp challenge on the goal line in the second half and guys just flinging themselves in the line of fire for their team mates was first class.

“Saturday gives us another tough game to channel our energies into.  I think I’ve a touch of PTSD from the last time we were there as I tweaked my hamstring!  Just like Dumbarton, the conditions above and underfoot will no doubt be a factor in how things pan out however we’ll carry forward the momentum from midweek onto the park and set out to bring home the three points.”

Admission Prices: Pay at the gate: Adult – £15, Concession – £10, 5 to 16 Years Old – £5, Under 5 – FREE.

The Pavilion Bar will be open from 1pm for all supporters.

Stats:

This is the third game between the sides this season.  The first being the seven goal thriller that saw Blair Henderson net the winner adding to goals from James Craigen, Rhys Armstrong and Jordan Tapping.   Meanwhile, in their final game of 2023, Spartans recorded a 3-0 win at Ainslie Park in December.  Danny Denholm with the opener before a brace for Ayrton Sonkur secured the points.

Whilst there are just eleven points and five league positions between the clubs, there’s very little to pick between them on a number of aspects:

The game is likely to be played in firm but fair fashion between the two ‘cleanest’ sides in the league.  Spartans ‘lead’ the Fouls conceded table having been pinged only 225 times, whilst just behind them sit our hosts on 240.  Likewise the Bookings table shows Spartans only picking up 36 yellows with Stranraer on 38.

They are also neighbours in the ‘Shots on Target’ department.  Spartans 72 v 75 Stranraer.  Out of those 72, 50% of them have landed in the net for Dougie Samuel’s men with 26 finding the target for Stranraer.

Other SPFL 2 Fixtures: Bonnyrigg v East Fife, Clyde v Dumbarton, Elgin v Stenhousemuir, Forfar v Peterhead.