Spartans seek Rovers return to Edinburgh with Scottish Cup success

Posted on Friday, October 4th, 2013

Spartans head to Coatbridge this Saturday to face SPFL 2 side Albion Rovers hoping to cause an upset in the 2^nd round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

A Donal Henretty double against Edinburgh University in the opening round at Peffermill set up a 2^nd round clash against a Rovers side will be keen to avoid a ‘dirty dozen’ of successive defeats at the first time of asking in the competition.

Both teams go into the clash on the back of 2-1 score reversals in their respective league campaign fixtures last week and Spartans Manager Dougie Samuel is keen to bounce back with a win in what will be the first ever match between the clubs.

“We know Saturday will be a really difficult game, especially against a side playing at a higher level.  We’ve done our homework on Rovers and had them watched and we know we’ll have to play well to progress into the next round”

Albion Rovers go in to the game on the back of a hat-trick of home defeats however Samuel knows that the form card can be torn up when it comes to the one-off shot at cup glory.

“Rovers will be favourites for the game and rightly so, but I think that might just help us a little bit and work to our advantage.

“Most weeks we go into the matches favourites and we have to handle that pressure week in, week out and it’ll be nice for our players to play with a greater sense of freedom and to a certain extent, with nothing to lose”

Spartans are still without the injured Sean Mushin and Jack Beacher whilst Willie Bremner continues to make great progress in training. Alan Brown remains doubtful, with Samuel rating the midfielder’s chance of a place in Saturday’s squad as “50/50 at best”.

The William Hill Scottish Cup 2^nd Round tie at Cliftonhill kicks off at 3pm.  Admission prices are Adults – £10, Concession – £5, Under 16 – £2 however if accompanied by an adult will be given FREE entry.

The draw in full:

The William Hill Scottish Cup 2nd round draw:

Gala Fairydean Rovers v Clyde
Turriff United v Wick Academy
Albion Rovers v Spartans
Queen’s Park v Preston Athletic
Brora Rangers v Cove Rangers
Dalbeattie Star v Montrose
Edinburgh City v Fraserburgh (at Ainslie Park)
Berwick Rangers v Peterhead
Keith v Elgin City
East Stirlingshire v Threave Rovers
Stirling Albion v Whitehill Welfare
Auchinleck Talbot v St. Cuthbert Wanderers
Formartine United v Inverurie Loco Works
Fort William or Newton Stewart v Lossiemouth or Culter
Buckie Thistle v Annan Athletic
Deveronvale v Linlithgow Rose