Match Reports
« Previous EntriesSpartans progress after impressive victory
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 Spartans progressed to the 3rd round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup today with a 4-1 victory over Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park. Spartans goals came from man of the match Donal Henretty (2), Main (o.g.)and Alex King.The draw for the 3rd round takes place on Wednesday.
Spartans v Edinburgh City – Goal Clips
Sunday, May 17th, 2009 Courtesy of Gary, who was filming yesterdays match, we have video footage of both of David Etale’s goals against City in the last game at City Park yesterday.And the second goal, the last ever at City Park.
Great Win keeps the pressure on Dalbeattie
Saturday, March 28th, 2009 A great fight back at Rosewell today saw Spartans keep the pressure on a Dalbeattie side who could only manage a draw at home to Lothian.Spartans started brightly but lost a goal against the run of play in the 24th minute. Dan fouled Gormely in our right back area and Ellis put a great free kick into the far post area where Johnston out jumped Donal to score. That sparked Spartans into some prolong pressure and the equaliser came in the 30th minute when Struan powered home a header from Nicky’s right wing cross. Whitehill were reeling and 6 minutes later another run and cross from the right (this time from Omar) was knocked onto the back post by Donal but Gavin reacted quickest to score with the rebound.
Gav - keeps banging in the goals
Whitehill pushed for the equaliser in the second half which left space for us to exploit down both flanks. Because we didn’t turn any of our many opportunities into goals it was a nervous last 15 minutes. That was until the 87th minute when Omar challenged the keeper for yet another right wing cross and the ball broke to David who scored from 6 yards.
An excellent result and an excellent performance.
There are still 9 league games to go so talk of winning the league are far too premature. Let’s just concentrate on Vale in the Cup next week and the league will take care of itself. Team: Flockhart, Archibald, Gerrard, Fowlie, Hoskins, Kader, Malin, Manson, Henretty (Etale 65), Preston (Devlin 70), Walker Subs not used: Smart, Opilka, Hair
Early look ahead to Sunday’s Cup Final
Thursday, March 12th, 2009 Co-manager Mike Lawson is already loking forward to this Sunday’s SFA Regional Cup Final at Meadowbank.“Everyone involved with Spartans is looking forward to our “big” cup day on Sunday at Meadowbank.
We are well aware the University side we line up against will have a different look and more importantly a different outlook from that we faced a couple of Saturdays ago.
When two teams meet twice in a short space of time the second result can be influenced by the mental attitude of both sets of players to the first game.
Our players will hear the “Celtic and St Mirren” parable a few times in the run up to the final. We are also well aware that the last time the two teams met in a cup final the attending students came out on top.
I watched a resilient performance from an under strength University side against Edinburgh City on Wednesday and I’m sure the 4-1 score line to the students surprised a few. City are a good side and the Uni had to defend stoutly before picking the Meadowbank side off on the break.Another lesson for our players.
As for the availability, David Etale played in an Army side which went down 2-1 to the Navy at Fratton Park on Thursday and has another game before heading back to Edinburgh, unfortunately ruling him out of Sunday’s game. Dean Hoskins and Struan Preston are both doubtful and another first team player hopes to recover from a knock taken on Tuesday against the Seconds. We hope all three will be there and available at kick off time.
Whatever the outcome of the final, we know the game will be played in the right spirit between two kindred clubs.”
The game kicks off at 2pm.
Will Mike be celebrating on Sunday?
Spartans Progress in Scottish Cup
Monday, December 15th, 2008 Spartans defeated Elgin City in tonight’s rearranged Scottish Cup third round match. Spartans went 1-0 behind in the 5th min from the penalty spot, however goals from Omar Kader and Gavin Malin gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. Elgin were reduced to 10 men in injury time as the game finished 2-1.The match was replayed due to Elgin fielding an ineligible player. Despite the fact Spartans also played long serving Dean Hoskins as a sub when he hadn’t fully resigned all the correct paperwork, the SFA decided the game would still go ahead.
The victory means Spartans will travel to Airdrie United on January 10th.
Full Match Report – The Scotsman
Full Match Report – Daily Record
Spartans 2 Lothian Thistle 0 – Match Report
Saturday, November 15th, 2008 Spartans won a hard fought match against Lothian Thistle in the quarter finals of the SFA South Regional Cup. It was a match dominated by the referee rather than either side with 3 red cards, several yellows and even more unusual decisions.Spartans started with the 3-5-2 formation they played against Coldstream last week. Henretty, Manson and Kader all returned to the starting line up. New signing Sam Woods started on the bench but wasn’t to feature in the game.
Spartans took the lead in the 23rd minute. A good pass from Danny O’Donnell set up Kader who crossed to the back post. Donal Henretty headed back towards goal where Robbie Manson rose above the Lothian defence to head home the opener and his first ever goal for Spartans.
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Annan Athletic 1 Spartans 2
Saturday, November 1st, 2008 Spartans are today looking forward to a long trip to Elgin on the 29th of November after their hard fought victory over Annan Athletic.The media had billed this as a potential revenge match for Spartans, however the City Park club were only interest in progressing in the cup and furthering their reputation as one of the best non league sides in the country.
There were several changes from the team that faced Dalbeattie two weeks ago. Spartans lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Gavin Malin moving into the centre of midfield. Kader returned to his usual right wing position and captain Fowlie was passed fit to start the game.
Annan started strong, using long ball tactics to the tall strikers and causing Spartans a few problems at the back. (more…)
Spartans 1 Dalbeattie Star 1 (Spartans win 5-4 on penalties)
Sunday, October 19th, 2008 Spartans find themselves in the 4th round draw of the Challenge Cup after a hard fought victory over Dalbeattie Star. It took a penalty shoot out to separate the two sides after a goalless ninety minutes followed by a goal each in extra time.Spartans made several changes to the side which saw Preston, Malin and Livingstone start in place of Kader, Fowlie and King. With Kader having played a full game in midweek, he was rested. Fowlie is still carrying a slight knock so wasn’t risked and King suffered illness during the week so didn’t quite make the starting team.
Spartans lined up in a more attacking 4-4-2 formation and frequently pushed forward to try and break down the determined Dalbeattie defence.
Struan Preston, starting after an impressive display last week, had a half chance on the seventh minute, his half volley just flying past the post. (more…)
Preston Athletic 1 Spartans 1
Sunday, October 12th, 2008 Spartans had to come from behind to get a point from a hard fought encounter with Preston Athletic. Though the wind remained strong through out the weather stayed bright, allowing this game to go ahead at the third time of trying.Dean Hoskins returned to the starting line as Spartans reverted to the 4-5-1 formation they have played for most of the season. Struan Preston dropped to the bench and Danny O’Donnell returned to the centre of midfield.
Spartans started strong and forced a corner within the first 30 seconds. Nicky Walker shot from just outside the box, striking a defender on its way out.
In the second minute Walker raced onto a poor pass back from the Preston defence. Gilpin, in the Preston goal was quick off his line to collect the ball. (more…)
League Cup Semi Final win for Spartans Womens 1st XI
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
SPARTANS beat Hibernian 5-3 in what can only be described as a tremendous Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup semi-final under the floodlights at Riccarton.
The lighting may not have been good enough to take action pictures in this semi-final, but both Spartans and Hibernian made this a fantastic occasion and the best possible advert for women‘s football. I have always been intrigued by the title of teams at this level and the word ‘Ladies’ is incorporated in to the name of many of the women’s teams. When I looked up the word ‘lady’ in a dictionary is said ‘gracious and well-mannered’! That may be correct, but it was certainly not gracious and well-mannered at Riccarton, where the far-side referee’s assistant had to warn players, several times, not to swear at him! I thought men’s – or should it be gentlemen’s – football was passionate, tough and committed, but these two team of women/ladies more than matched their male counterparts! (more…)
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