Spartans fairytale League Cup run has come to an end after a defeat to Premiership Aberdeen. Aberdeen have now made it 11 wins in a row to start the season after they beat Spartans 4-0 at Pittodrie in the League Cup quarterfinal.   

Dougie Samuel’s side went into the game knowing that they could have caused a cup shock, after already defeated Championship side Livingston and Premiership side Ross County. But Jimmy Thelin’s side had made an impressive start in the league and are the 2^nd top scorers in the League Cup competition with 16 goals.

Spartans made four changes from their midweek trip to Elgin, where they drew 1-1. In came the captain Kevin Waugh, for his first start in the League Cup, joined alongside Callum Booth, Jamie Dishington and Cammy Russell, who returned after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. They replaced Kieran Watson, Danny Denholm, Brogan Walls and Rory Whittaker.

The hosts made just the one change from their 2-1 win against Motherwell, with Leighton Clarkson replacing Topi Keskinen.

This was the first meeting between the two sides with Spartans in their first ever senior competition quarterfinal. They are the first Scottish League 2 side to make it to the quarterfinals in the League Cup since Rangers in the 12/13 season.  

In what can only be described as a historic day for Spartans, in what was their biggest match in their history, it was always going to be a tall order to defeat Premiership opposition. It was the Dons who came out the faster of the two sides with on loan Millwall striker Nisbet missing from 12 yards out, after a lovely scoop pass from Nilsen.

It wasn’t long however before Aberdeen took the lead. After 14 minutes Pape Gueye scored his 6^th goal of the season when a fortuitous break of the ball landed at his feet to smash the ball past Carswell from 12 yards out.

The Dons kept the pressure up and almost had a second just 5 minutes later. Clarkson put the ball on a plate for Nisbet, who completely missed the ball, in what can only be described as a let of for the team from the capital.

Palavera, who had an impressive first half, was then able to skip past Whyte, play the ball wide to MacKenzie who found McGrath who blazed the ball over.

There was then a flurry of bookings for Craigen, Nilsen and Booth with the latters foul leading to a Clarkson freekick that hit Carswells side netting.

There was just enough time for Aberdeen to get a second before the break. In the 45^th minute Craigen’s chest control was picked off by McGrath. McGrath then spread the play to MacKenzie. His picture perfect cross was then converted from Nisbet, who couldn’t miss.

Goalscorer Gueye was replaced for Keskinen and it only took 40 seconds from Aberdeen to destroy the Spartan dream, as Clarkson scored a glancing header from a Rubezic cross.

A stramash of subs from both sides, with Shinne returning from illness and Sokler coming on to replace Nilsen and Nisbet. The away side also brought on Walls, Stowe, Ritchie and Kieran Watson for Dishington, Russell, Henderson and Paul Watson.

Carswell was again called into action and made a tremendous save from Shinnie, to deny him a 3^rd goal of the season. But it wasn’t long before Aberdeen got their 4^th. A nutmeg from Clarkson found MacKenzie with his ball being scraped into the Spartans goal by substitute Sokler.

Denholm then replaced Booth for Spartans, with MacDonald and Milne coming on for Molloy and Devlin.

A late chance for Spartans as Brogan Walls received the ball from Stowe on the right hand and had his shot from 20 yards out just tipped over by Mitov, who kept his 7^th clean sheet of the season.

The final score may read out Aberdeen 4-0 Spartans, but it was a performance that Spartans should feel proud of. Aberdeen progress to the semi finals, with the draw being made for that after Celtic vs Falkirk game on Premier Sports. It is now 13 games without defeat for Aberdeen at home, who’s last loss came against St Johnstone on the 28^th February.

The attendance was 11,615 with Spartans next facing East Fife at Ainslie Park next Saturday, with the Dons away to Dens Park to face Dundee.  

Match Report by Scott Gourlay

A re-jigged Spartans XI succumbed to two second half strikes which saw Championship side Livingston progress in the SPFL Trust Trophy at Ainslie Park on Saturday.

There were no fewer than five changes from the previous week’s outing at Forthbank with a long-awaited return to side for skipper Kevin Waugh whilst Adam Meek and Mark Stowe made their first starts of the season.  Rory Whittaker was away on Scotland u19s duty and Danny Denholm came in for Cammy Russell who took up one of the seven spots on the bench.

The early running was made by the visitors, keen to avenge the recent Premier Sports Cup defeat. Play almost exclusively featuring in the Spartans half however it’s a resolute defence that held tight.

Academy Graduate Goalie kept things interesting when his attempted kick up the park was blocked by Steve May’s back, the two players racing towards the rebound before the Livingston player got a shot in that was well saved by the backtracking keeper.

Bradley Whyte was in the wars as he required treatment after using his face to halt Lewis Smith’s endeavours to set up another break.

Spartans got their first free-kick of note shortly after following Mark Stowe being grappled to the ground.  He dusted himself down however couldn’t find a way round the wall to trouble Jerome Prior between the sticks.

Moments later, a shot towards the Livingston goal was directed behind by Michael Nottingham in the box.  As to how it founds its way there, the home contingent in the box were adamant it came off an arm, such was their remonstrations that ultimately fell on deaf ears.

There were hearts in home mouths when Lewis Smith appeared to break the offside trap with only Meek left to engage with.  Thankfully for the Spartans faithful, Smith lost his footing, landed on the carpet and danger denied.

The ball found itself in the Livingston net ahead of the break however Blair Henderson’s reaction to the AR’s flag suggested the Spartans striker had more than an inkling.

Then, with seconds left before the interval, a long cross to the back post by Callum Booth evaded Cristian Montano, it fell to Stowe who found Prior in good form to save.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Livingston

Spartans made a change at half time with Paul Watson replacing Kevin Waugh.

Just like the first half, the opening minutes once again saw the visitors make progress up the park however they found Meek in fine form with a brace of fine saves.

Further changes were made by the hosts just shy of the hour mark with Cammy Russell and James Craigen coming on for Booth and Stowe.

Livingston were to take the lead in the 64^th minute.  Meek could count himself unlucky after pulling off a sublime save however it was Steve May who pounced to send the rebound home.

A second stop of the day for a knock to the coupon, this time Montano’s napper.  After a lengthy stoppage, the Livingston man’s game was done as the visitors included him in a raft of changes.

At the same stage, Aaron Scott entered the fray, replacing Brogan Walls.

The break appeared to benefit the visitors more and they were to double their lead almost immediately after the restart.

Winter’s low pass towards Lewis Smith couldn’t be cut out and the Livi man progressed into the box before sliding beyond Meek.

With the game entering the final minutes, Ben Lamont came on for Lewis Hunter and made some positive yards and despatches during his cameo up top.

FT: The Spartans 0-2 Livingston

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Bradley Whyte

Blair Carswell returned between the sticks in what was the only change in the Spartans starting line-up and there was positive news with skipper Kevin Waugh taking a spot on the bench.

Another blustery Saturday afternoon for both teams to deal with as the game kicked-off between two teams who were constant top four bedfellows in last season’s competition.

An early foul on Cammy Russell, perhaps the quickest since he signed for the club offered Spartans a free-kick that was launched into the Peterhead box but comfortably dealt with by the visiting defence.

Calum Booth was next to deliver the ball into the Blue Toon penalty area with Blair Henderson’s flicked header flashing past the far post.

The offside trap was then sprung by Cammy Russell who looked to latch on to the ball however Stuart McKenzie dashed from his area to just about get there before the Spartans playmaker and the ball was retrieved in a neighbouring post code.

There was a lengthy break in play as Andy McCarthy took a sore knock during a collision in midfield which brought an early end to his involvement in the game.

Best move of the half came on the stroke of half time following dogged determination by Jamie Dishington who works hard to get to the byeline to pull back for Cammy Russell who didn’t have much time to consider his options as he was closed down and he sent his shot over the bar.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Peterhead

Blair Henderson was presented with an early half chance in the box however the cross into the box was a trickier one to direct to trouble the keeper than preferred, forcing the nod wide.

The visitors, sitting top of the table going into the game following a promising start, then had a period of pressure that saw the Spartans defence step up to the plate and ensure Blair Carswell was allowed the luxury of minimal saves required.

A couple of changes midway through the half saw Rory Whittaker and Brogan Walls replace Dishington and Craigen.

Callum Booth then went on the attack.  Reports of a nose bleed were denied as the defender made it to the edge of the box however his final shot unfortunately not able to match the dynamic dash through the Peterhead half.

Then, with the game heading towards stalemate, there was almost a twist in the full time tale.

Peterhead launched one last attack, Ben Armour just getting a toe to the ball in front of the defending Blair Henderson to chip over Blair Carswell, only to find Malt and Hops Man of the Match Jamie Dishington on hand to clear off the line.

With time running out, Brogan Walls went on an impressive run in search of his first Spartans goal only for his shot to rise over the bar.

FT: The Spartans 0-0 Peterhead