Lowland League | Play it again, says Sam as Spartans seek to defeat Shire

Posted on Friday, February 24th, 2023

The Spartans welcome East Stirlingshire to Ainslie Park on Saturday in the latest encounter of the Lowland League kind as Dougie Samuel’s side set out to extend their twelve match unbeaten league run.

One player looking to aid that cause is Sam Jones.   The talented midfielder, who joined the club from Penicuik in 2020, knows the dangers the opposition can pose however he hopes the dressing room spirit and a vocal home support can be pivitol in delivering the win.

Jones said, “We played them away earlier in the season and it was definitely a more challenging game than the result suggests as we had to come from behind.

“They’ve turned a corner recently so their position in the table probably doesn’t reflect the danger they could cause and our games on the whole are typically tight affairs.

“We’ll have to be at our absolute best if we want to get anything out of the game that’s for sure.

“The biggest thing about the squad this season is that we’ve got so many different ways to win a game of football. I think in years gone by we’ve maybe had one or two but you know, we can go long, we can play through the zones.  We can adapt on a winter’s bumpy muddy pitch or the carpet.

“I reckon that shows the character of the team and that’s a product of the time we’ve spent together and how we’ve gelled as a dressing room.  We’ve had some long weeks where we’ve had three games to play and trained but I think we are really bearing the fruits of that now.  There’s a good bit of momentum going and long may it continue.”

“We’ve got real good quality within the squad right now.  I reckon you’d be able to put together two starting XIs and look at them and back each to go out on a Saturday and pick up three points.

“But, you’re only as good as your next game and it’s another big one on Saturday against the Shire.”

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm. Admission prices are £9 for adults and £6 for concessions. Season tickets are valid.

ACADEMY CAFÉ / BAR

The Café will be open to home and away supporters prior to kick-off and again following the match.

PREVIOUS MATCH

East Stirlingshire 1-4 Spartans – 28/09/22.

A double from Cammy Russell sent Spartans on their way to a comeback victory on the road against East Stirlingshire at the Falkirk Stadium.

The hosts grabbed the opener after Scott Honeymoon benefitted from a slack back pass however they were hampered by the dismissal of Kyle Ewing who saw a second yellow midway through the first half.

Cammy Russell equalised ahead of the interval then Sean Brown nodded Spartans into the lead after the break.

Blair Henderson headed home the third before Russell sprung the offside trap to drill home.