Foster’s Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy second round
Spartans 2 Redhall Star 1

The Sunday amateur team produced their best performance of the season to overcome league leaders Redhall Star in the Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy today. Redhall beat Spartans 7-1 in a league meeting earlier this season and the visitors went into this game unbeaten all season. But Spartans, back to full strength for the first time in several weeks, were not overawed.  Playing on the stadium pitch at Ainslie Park for the first time, Kenny Cameron’s men were 1-0 up at half time thanks to a stunning long-range strike into the roof of the net from outstanding American winger Daniel Chille, whose pace and dribbling posed a threat all afternoon. Dean Shanks showed composure when one-on-one with the goalkeeper to slot home the second midway through the second half, and although Redhall pulled  one back with a header five minutes from time, Spartans held on for a deserved win. 
Team: S Smith, M Leask,  J Murray, M Watson, A Graham (O Lee 74), L Shanks, D Chille, P Johnson, D Shanks, R Pennett (S Hamilton 88), J Quinn.

Saturday 18 July 2009

• Raith Rovers v Hamilton Academical (kick-off 12:30pm)
• Spartans v Blyth Spartans (3:15pm)

Sunday 19 July 2009

• 3rd/4th place play-off (12:30pm)
• Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup final (3:15pm)

Admission prices for spectators are £10 (£5 concessions) for both days and £7 (£4 concessions) for one day. Season tickets, costing £50, will be available to buy and will be valid for both days. Gates open at 11.30am.

Parking spaces at Ainslie Park are limited. Fans are advised to park away from the ground or use public transport. For more parking and travel advice, scroll down to the news story posted on July 12.

Spartans get the ball rolling at Ainslie Park this weekend by hosting a four-team tournament involving Hamilton Academical, Raith Rovers and  Blyth Spartans.
 
The four teams will compete in north Edinburgh for the inaugural Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup on Saturday and Sunday. The trophy is named after the club’s honorary president, who joined Spartans in 1953 and has served as player, manager, secretary and president.
 
Spartans chairman Craig Graham said: “The grass pitch is in fantastic condition and we can’t wait to get started. This is an occasion everyone at Spartans is looking forward to. We anticipate a big crowd over the two days for what will be a competitive tournament. I’m confident supporters will enjoy our excellent new facilities and the opportunity to see four good teams in action.”
 
The Spartans women’s team are also in action at Ainslie Park this weekend. They entertain Newcastle United in a friendly on the synthetic pitch on Sunday, with a 10am kick-off.

Julie Melrose of Spartans and Edinburgh University collected a bronze medal as a member of the Great Britain squad who defeated France 4-1 in the women’s bronze medal match at the World University Games in Belgrade. The British team lost in the semi-finals to Japan in a penalty shoot-out.

Julie Melrose