Murray excited at chance for a shot at silverware in first season at Spartans

Posted on Saturday, March 19th, 2016

Spartans take on fellow Lowland League side East Kilbride in the Final of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup on Sunday at Albyn Park, with both teams keen to get their hands on silverware come the full time whistle in what promises to be an enthralling encounter between two equally matched sides.

Keith Murray is no stranger to the big stage pressure of Cup Finals.  During his spell with Leith Athletic’s Under 20s side, the talismanic striker had his fair share of success – something he wants to experience on Sunday for the first time in the Ainslie Park side’s colours.

Murray said, “I’ve played in a few finals in the past so I’m familiar with the pressures that accompany playing in such important games.

“We’ve shown that we got it in us to play til the final whistle if needed to pull off a result this season, so we continue doing what we do and I don’t think any team can stand up to us on our day.”

Does a final add any extra pressure for the player described by Manager Dougie Samuel as a “player with real potential, has an excellent work ethic and is fuelled by a real desire and hunger to prove himself at a higher level” when he joined the Club in ahead of the current campaign?

“Nah, I just treat it as another game. I want to score goals – it’s what I do.  Hopefully we can get the game done by scoring a couple of early goals and get them on the back foot. And if we can get another before half time to kill the game off.  We’ve done our homework on them as you’d expect, but we just need to concentrate on what we have got to do.”

As both sides play on synthetic pitches, the surface won’t offer an advantage to either of the finalists.  That wouldn’t have mattered to Murray, who given the chance, would play his beloved football on the moon.

“I’d play anywhere to be honest! It’s a great opportunity to play in a Final especially with a great bunch of boys and a good level of football and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Final kicks-off at 3.30pm at the home of Broxburn Athletic.  Admission: £5 Adults, Concessions £3.

Spartans Road to Broxburn:

Saturday 31st October 2015
Football Nation East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, 2nd Round
Spartans 2-0 Hawick Royal Albert (Horribine, Murray)

Saturday 23rd January 2016
Football Nation East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, Third Round
Edinburgh University 0-2 Spartans (Horribine, Murray)  Match Report

Wednesday 17th February 2016
Football Nation East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, Semi Final
Spartans 2-1 Gala Fairydean Rovers (Beesley, Horribine)  Match Report