Ferry Road Derby

Posted on Friday, September 27th, 2013

Last Friday evening we played Coldstream at Ainslie Park in our first evening match, we managed to pick up all three points and had a good crowd attend the game, this is perhaps something we should consider more as it means the Spartans supporters can watch both the Lowland Team and the East of Scotland team in the same weekend.

We won the game 4-0 but what was more pleasing was the way in which the team played showing some real desire right from the first whistle. Matty Cunningham returned to the side for his first start of the season and provided us with energy and drive from an advanced midfield position. Danny O’Donnell came in at centre back and provided an experienced influence on our young defence, our wide players Davy Stewart, Ian Ballantyne and then Lucasz Rusin showed just how important this position is to the team with good all round performances, Robbie Laird moved into the engine room of the midfield alongside Scott Clapperton and they both battled away well for us the in the central role, Mike Gray continued to show why so many clubs were chasing his signature at the end of last season with another fine performance leading the line.

The game itself did not have the best of start’s for us as having started the game with a high tempo we were awarded a penalty kick, Robbie stepped up and saw his kick well saved by the Coldstream keeper who was to go on and have an inspired night bringing off a string of excellent saves.

We did however take the lead on 30 mins when Matty chased down a ball to the bye line shrugging off two challenges on the way to knock over a fine cross which Lucasz duly dispatched into the net, this was nothing other than we deserved at this point for the way in which we had been playing. Half Time Spartans 1 Coldstream 0

With the second half only minutes old a good move down the right saw Mike Gray tuck the ball past the Coldstream keeper for 2-0, we continued to create chances during the second half but could not find a way past the Coldstream keeper, then with 7 minutes to go Mike knocked the ball back to Haydn inside the penalty box and he coolly placed the ball high into the net for 3-0 (it was also Haydn’s first competitive goal for us), then with only 2 minutes to go we broke down the left and Robbie was not to be outdone as he curled a great right foot shot into the top corner of the net from a tight angle to finish of a good night’s work by the team. The only downside on the night was that Hammy picked up a bad injury to his back.

Tomorrow we travel to the high flying Craigroyston down at St Mark’s Park, the playing surface down at St Marks is truly a credit to Bob Currie for all the hard work that he puts in on it and the players should be relishing the opportunity to play on this great surface.

On the squad front we are still have Kiddo out, it looks like Hammy is also struggling to make it whilst Zav’s is still nursing his leg injury. Darren Ricky and I should have a strong squad of players to select from for the game and let’s hope we can take last Friday’s form into the game. Hope to see you down at St Mark’s Park.