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Saturday, February 20th, 2010 Today’s juniors game at Stoneyburn is off.Spartans too strong for Dunbar
Sunday, September 13th, 2009 The Spartans versus Dunbar United (courtesy of Dunbar website)Dunbar went into this league game against Spartans, the first Junior game at their new Ainslie Park facility, minus Geoff Jones, Stuart Robertson, Garry Lothian and Ryan Gibb.
Spartans stated their intentions early as Michael Osborne fed Iain Cartwright but he blazed his shot well over the bar. Dunbar nearly took the lead from a set piece, as John Twaddle’s corner was headed goal wards only for David Patarek to touch it over the bar.
Ross Hastie was the first booking of the afternoon when he was found guilty of pushing Michael Moffat, who seemed to go to ground rather easily any time any opposition player got even slightly close to him.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Spartans took a rather controversial lead. Michael Moffat had gone straight through John Twaddle on the half way line and when no whistle had come, continued down the right wing unchallenged and cross for NICK REID to slide into the net.
Dunbar came close 5 minutes later when Richie Weir fed Chris Grant down to Dunbar right wing. However, his shot was into the side netting. Curiously, a moment later, Iain Cartwright escaped a booking for an obvious handball offence when he clearly thought the referee was on the blind side. Grant Thomson had his name added to the crime count for a trip on Adam Perry.
On the half hour mark, Spartans went close to stretching their lead when Michael Moffat crossed for Nick Reid but his turn and shot went just wide.
Brendan Rooney went close with a header from Dunbar following an inch perfect John Twaddle corner and as Dunbar came back into the game, things might have been looking up for the visitors. A John Twaddle free kick into the box found Grant Thomson at the near post and his powerful header was pushed round the post by David Patarek. From the resultant Steven Girdwood corner, Grant Thomson saw his back post header cleared off the line by Mark Hutchison. Chris Grant then created a chance for Mark McEwen but his sliding shot went just over the bar.
Half Time: The Spartans 1 Dunbar United 0
Gary Bannon replaced Michael Moffat at half time as Spartans opened Dunbar inside the first minute of the second half. A high ball into the box by Michael Osborne found Daryl Johnston flattened by Nick Reid as he attempted to collect the ball. Kenny Young, standing on the bye line, played the ball along the line for NICK REID to net from under the bar whilst lying on his back. Dunbar could have been forgiven for expecting a free kick for the obstruction on the keeper or the blatant offside but the goal stood.
David McLeod found his name being added to the crime count for a late tackle on Steven Girdwood.
With an hour on the clock, the game was put to bed. There was just a touch of good fortune about the third Spartans goal as well. Kenny Young hit a free kick from 25 yards out which Daryl Johnston touched onto the bar. IAIN CARTWRIGHT reacted quickest and knocked the ball into the empty net.
Besides, the multiple subs, the only action of the remainder of the second half was a Steven Girdwood head flick, which went just wide from a Ross Hastie free kick.
All in all, it was a poor day at the office from an under strength Dunbar side who lacked a killer instinct up front.
Full Time: The Spartans 3 Dunbar United 0
The Spartans: – David Paterek, David McLeod, Mark Hutchison, James Hair, Samuel Scott, Michael Osborne,Michael Moffat, Kenneth Young, Adam Perry, Nicholas Reid, Iain Cartwright. Subs: – Gary Young, Martin Douglas, Raymond Fleming, Keith Boyes, Gary Bannon, Dale Robertson, Blair Thomson.
Dunbar: – Daryl Johnston, Grant Thomson, Stuart Laing, Dez Chisholm, Brendan Rooney, Mark McEwen, Richie Weir, John Twaddle, Steven Girdwood, Chris Grant, Ross Hastie. Subs: – Stephen Devine, Josh Hebdon, Mark Burke, Stuart Brown, Trialist #17, John Johnston (g/k).
Referee: – Mr. Paul Simmons.
Scorers: The Spartans- Reid (20 mins, 46 mins), Cartwright (60 mins)
Junior Latest News
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 All Junior Latest news and match reports are currently displayed on the Spartans FC homepageTUESDAY, AUGUST 11: Edinburgh Evening News (Iain MacKay)
ONE of the great football clubs currently emerging in the Capital city of Scotland is The Spartans FC and the lovely atmosphere generated by officials, players and fans alike from this club was in evidence again at their first section tie in the East Region Juniors League Cup at City Park. There is something special about all those people connected with Spartans and club captain, Craig Graham, was at the ground to welcome everyone as they entered this venue which is well and truly on its last legs. The new boys in the Junior grades will be moving to the palatial Academy at Ainslie Park, hopefully, next month, and it will in many ways be their very own ‘homecoming’. Possibly, it cannot come quick enough for the Spartans players and their opponents as City Park was a bit of an eyesore for the Edinburgh club’s first home tie in the Juniors League Cup. It ended with honours shared in a 1-1 draw but Spartans could have, and possibly should have, taken all three points. However, assistant boss, Jim Rae, admitted: “It was a difficult one (game), but we will take the one point. We played much better in the second half as a team and we dominated the game!” The visiting side from West Lothian were the better of the two sides in the first half of the game, in fact the Armadale players looked much more ‘streetwise’ than Spartans. Both sets of players huffed and puffed their way through a frantic opening spell of play on the roughly-cut playing surface – whoever prepared the pitch left piles of grass lying where it had been cut! Robbie Feeney showed up well in his striking role with Armadale, holding the ball up well before laying off good passes to set up attacks on the home goal. It was an impressive start by the Armadale No 9. Spartans keeper, David Paterer, was very busy in the opening spell and to the disappointment of the home fans, it was he who picked the ball out of the net in the 21st minute when Feeney stroked a very good spot-kick in to the Spartans net to put his side 1-0, deservedly so, as well. It was also Feeney who won the penalty when he went down in the box in a clumsy tackle and great match referee, Michael Banks, was right up with play and he had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Spartans kept up their workrate but the Armadale defence, with man-mountain No 5, Gavin Brogan, a dominant figure in the centre of the park. However, Spartans added to their problems in the first half by giving the ball away needlessly and they were also guilty of wild shooting in front of the Armadale goal. The ball continually landed in the back gardens of houses bordering City Park on the Ferry Road end of the ground. At the end of a frustrating first half, Armadale still led by the solitary goal from Feeney. Armadale previously won the toss and decided to kick down the pronounced slope at City Park in the first half and that almost proved to be their undoing in a tremendous second half of great cup football. Spartans were liked a changed team on the restart and all roads led to the Armadale goal, where Bob Ward was in terrific form. The transformation in the home side was, frankly, amazing. They found each other with their crisp passing, the ball was switched to both flanks and the moves kept flowing while Armadale also contributed to the proceedings and this game became absolutely absorbing. The visiting defence will, possibly, still be having nightmares at the way they lost the ball to present Spartans with a deserved equaliser in the 62nd minute. The experienced David Cunningham had loads of time to clear the ball on the right side of the Armadale defence, but he didn’t and Dale Robertson pounced to rob Cunningham of the ball then side foot it across the face of the Armadale goal for Scottish Amateur Internationalist, Nick Reid, to pop it in to the empty net. Ward had come off his line to try to retrieve the ball but he was left in ’no man’s land’ as Reid scored the equaliser. This cup tie moved to a much higher level after that. Spartans lost Paul Sutherland when the big No 4 bravely went in at the left-hand to get to a cross from the right. He connected but his header went wide, but the impetus of Sutherland’s dive saw him strike the upright and the experienced Spatans player picked up a really sore knock and had to be taken off. As he hirpled to his car after the finish, Sutherland said: “I have hurt my hip, but I thought at first it was much more serious than that. But I am very sore!” The home side were given a boost, however, when Feeney was sent packing by Mr Banks after an incident on the more popular side of City Park in the 70th minute. To say Spartans poured forward in pursuit of a winner and give them their first success in the Junior grades would be an understatement. Urged on by substitute Gary Young, they fired on all cylinders and it was a really great game of football to watch. Ward and his colleagues in the Armadale defnece worked wonders as Spartans tore in to them, with brilliant passing attacking moves. It was not all one-way, however, and the West Lothian combine still set up some good dangerous attacks at the other end. But it was at the back that Armadale excelled. They kept Spartans out despite all the pressure and it was still 1-1 at the final whistle. I forget how many near-misses there were at the Armadale end, but this experienced Junior side from West Lothian used all their skill and know-how to deny Spartans the win they, possibly, should have been celebrating. The facilities at Spartans Community Football Academy are so far ahead of what is available at City Park. It will be a real boost to the Spartans Junior side and their visitors when they move over the road. It will, in every respect, be like moving from the ridiculous to the sublime. Then, hopefully, the real Spartans will emerge and they will be given every opportunity to produce the same great football that brightened up the second half against Armadale. Well done, to Armadale, as well for getting a draw against all the odds in the second half at City Park. They won their first tie against West Calder 4-0 so they are sill in with a chance of qualifying from their group. Spartans lost 3-2 in their opener against Newtongrange Star.
*This match report and file of pictures is produced free of charge by Ian Mackay who is part of www.passionforsport.tk team. Everything will also be sent to the clubs involved, the Scottish Juniors and also the East Region Juniors FA in a bid to promote the game at this level. Best wishes and thanks to both teams for allowing us to cover this cup tie at City Park. Good luck to everyone in Junior Football as well. Despite the current run-down state of City Park, there was still a very warm glow about the place at this game. The pictures can be viewed as a slide show on Kodak Gallery by clicking on -
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=6pr9aqgt.2×0rvljp5&x=0&y=-nevlck&localeid=en_GB
Anyone who would like the pictures sent direct by email should contact mackayian@blueyonder.co.uk and the pictures requested will be sent on.
Last night’s teams:
Spartans FC – David Paterer, David McLeod, Iain Cartwright, Paul Sutherland, Oliver Antoni, Gary Gannon, Sam Scott, James Hair, Adam Perry, Kenneth Young, Dale Robertson, Gary Young, Nick Reid, Martin Douglas, Raymond Fleming, James Rae.
Armadale – Bob Ward, David Cunningham, Neil McMeechan, Gregor Buchan, Gavin Brogan, Scott Mauchline, Peter Lynch, Ryan Johnston, Robbie Feeney, Craig Chilton, Graeme Small, Daniel Malone, Dario Vita, Lee Johnston, Dean Purcell, Lee Suchinskyj, Kenneth Mannion.
This report and picture file can be used on any other website as long as no one tries to get payment from doing so. The match report and pictures should be credited to www.passionforsport.tk Everything can also be sent to newspapers if clubs want to give the game the publicity it deserved.
Peebles vs Spartans Juniors tonight
Monday, July 20th, 2009 Spartans Juniors take on Peebles tonight in a pre-season friendly. The match sees Mark Lamb return to face is former club for the first time since he has left.This will be the 2nd test for the new Spartans Junior side following their 2-1 victory over Stirling University on Saturday.
We hope Spartans fans make the journey to Whitestone Park tonight to cheer on the side.
Kick off is 7pm.
Spartans Juniors League Cup Fixtures
Saturday, July 4th, 2009 Spartans Juniors have been handed a tough opening to Junior Football with the League Cup group including Newtongrange Star, Linlithgow Rose and last season’s South League winners Armadale Thistle.Dechmont South League Cup Section 3
Sat 8th Aug – Newtongrange Star Vs Spartans
Wed 12th Aug – Spartans Vs Armadale Thistle
Sat 15th Aug – Spartans Vs Pumpherston
Wed 19th Aug – West Calder Utd Vs Spartans
Sat 22nd Aug – Linligthgow Rose Vs Spartans
M&M Cup Final Winners 2008/09
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 On Friday 29th May Spartans won their M&M Trophy final 3-2 against Premier League Colville Park winning the trophy for the third time in four seasons.Goals – Douglas, Moffat and Mitchell
The game was played at Adamslie Park, the home on Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Juniors.
Defenders scoop Player of the Year Awards
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 At the club dinner last night the awards were presented for Players’ Player of the Year and Manager’s Player of the Year:
Players' Player of the Year - Jordan Steele
Manager and Coach's Player of the Year - Paul Sutherland
Spartans demolish Wishaw to advance to M&M Semi Final
Thursday, May 14th, 2009 The 2nd XI beat Wishaw HSFP 8 – 0 on Wednesday night in the M & M Trophy quarter final. The semi final is next Wednesday against Campsie Minerva. Iain Cartwright opened the scoring in the first minute with a volly from a David McLeod free kick. Wishaw then had most of the possession and missed a couple of good chances however it was Iain who scored the second after being set up by Nick Reid. A Jim Rae trademark free kick was the third before a further goal from Iain, a hat trick from Nick Reid and Adam Perry completed the scoring.Team: Paterek, McLeod, Burns, Rae, Sutherland, Moffat, Bunyon (Young), Mitchell (Boyes), Douglas, Reid, Cartwright, (Perry)
Up and Coming Fixtures
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 Fixtures for remainder of season as follows:Wed 13th May – M&M Cup Quarter Final Vs Wishaw HSFP (Ainlsie Park k.o. 7.30pm)
Sat 16th May – Central Scottish League Vs Scotia Athletic (Motherwell Miners Welfare k.o. 2.30pm)
Mon 18th May – Central Scottish League Vs Campsie Minerva (Ferguson Park, Lennoxtown k.o. 6.30pm)
Wed 20th May – M&M Cup Semi Final Vs Arthulie or Campsie Minerva (if win QF) – Venue TBC
Others
Division 1 Championship Playoff – Vs Winner of Division 1A (presumably St Pats) – Venue TBC
East of Scotland Cup Update
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009Spartans and the East of Scotland Cup
Spartans have reluctantly and regrettably decided not to appeal the decision by the Eastern District to expel the club from the Semi Final stage of the East of Scotland Cup and the SAFA Appeals committee’s decision to uphold the verdict. The club can appeal to the SFA but does not wish to cause further disruption or derail the competition.
The Facts
Spartans signed a player from East of Scotland Senior side Leith Athletic in November 2009 after he was released in October and had trained with the club for a few weeks and following a short injury the player then made his debut for Spartans.
After some peculiar comments posted on a non amateur football forum in February 2009 (4 months later) it was brought to the attention of the club that the player had picked up a red card at the end of the previous season in the Central Scottish league with Leith before they had resigned from the league.the player had played against Pilton Albion Wanderers in the 2nd Round of the East Cup. The player was then not in the squad to face either Plean or Liberton and came on as sub in the last minute of the Quarter Final against Stenhousemuir with the score at 6-2.
At this point Spartans proactively approached the Central Scottish League to bring our findings to their attention and to seek advice on:
- whether or not the player had actually received a suspension from the Central Scottish League
- whether or not the suspension had lapsed following Leith’s resignation from the Central League, and
- if the player was still suspended how this would affect the games he had played in
It transpired that the player had a three match ban carried over from Season 2007/08. The player had not received a letter advising him of a suspension for his red card although Leith Athletic had been aware of it.
The outcome of the Central Scottish League Committee meeting was to severely punish the club, financially, deduct points from the league and suspend the player for 6 games. It was unclear from the SAFA Cup rules whether the player had been ineligible when he played in the East of Scotland Cup. The Eastern District considered him to be ineligible and decided that Spartans should be expelled from the East of Scotland Cup at the Semi Final stage. The SAFA committee then subsequently upheld the Eastern District decision much to the club’s disappointment.
At no point did Spartans attempt to gain an unfair advantage or knowingly play a suspended player and as a club we are extremely disappointed by some of the comments made on forums in regards to cheating and justice being served and we would like to clearly state the events that actually took place. Unfortunately, for the club and the honesty in coming forward we will not be taking part in the semi final.
The Spartans FC wish both finalist good luck on what is truly a superb day and achievement in reaching the East of Scotland Cup Final on May 12th
Finally, the 2’s would like to specifically thank Craig Graham and Jim Martin for their tireless efforts in regards to this case and are very appreciate of all time to pull our case together and attend several meetings.
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