Lowland League: University challenge first up for League holders

Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014

Spartans will kick off the most important season in their sixty-three year history on Saturday as the Scottish Sun Lowland League title holders welcome University of Stirling to Ainslie Park.

The opening day sees the inaugural Lowland League winners take on last season’s runners-up in what promises to be an electric start to a historic season ahead.

After last year’s 22 game “dry run”, this year’s champions will go head-to-head with the winners of the Highland League in a play-off to determine who plays the occupier of the bottom place in SPFL 2 for the right to take residency in League 2 from 2015/16.

Saturday’s visitors, headed up by interim manager Alan Taylor in the wake of Eddie May’s resignation on Friday, had a fantastic season in their University Leagues and BUCS competition and will be another force to be reckoned with.  As we have witnessed at Ainslie Park, the Students have seen a host of comings and goings in terms of personnel over the close season and will be a different side to that faced last time out.

Spartans Manager Dougie Samuel has brought in a host of summer signings who have impressed during pre-season, however he is saddled with several players unavailable for Saturday’s selection.

Kevin Sivewright (holiday), Jon Grant & Mikey Bruce (suspensions), Donal Henretty (unavailable) are all sidelined, whilst the quartet of Alan Brown, Jack Beacher, Robbie Ross & Iain Thomson remain on the treatment table.   On a more positive note, Ali MacKinnon makes a welcome return to the starting XI as will Michael Herd who has recovered from the knock he picked up at Cappielow last week.

Spartans FC continue to offer affordable football for all.  Once again admission prices are frozen, with walk up to the gate entry still £5 for Adults, £3 Concessions whilst u/15s can watch for FREE!

Season tickets remain fantastic value for money, with prices held for the 10th year in a row.  You can pick yours up at the gate ahead of tomorrow’s game.  Further information on our season ticket pricing can be found here

Kick-off is at 3pm.  Enjoy the game.