Author: Michael Park

By Michael Park

Keith McLeod picks up Colin Campbell Sports player of the month

Spartans striker Keith McLeod has been nominated the first ever Colin Campbell player of the month for October.

Colin Campbell Sports are sponsoring a monthly award that will involve each club nominating a player form an opposing team.

Speaking after the announcement McLeod said “I am delighted with the award, it means a lot to be named the first player in history to receive the award. There are so many good players in the League so to be nominated by clubs that I am playing against makes it all the more special.”

Keith McLeod

“It’s a great league to play in all the clubs are capable of taking points of each other and this is happening week in week out. I am really humbled to receive the award and I look forward to what the rest of the seasons holds for us.”

Sponsor of the award Colin Campbell said, “We are delighted to be sponsoring the player of the month, Keith is a worthy winner of the award, he is a great player and deserves it. It’s an excellent league and I have seen many great players competing in it.”

“When we were approached about sponsorship I was more than happy to get involved as I am certain the Lowland League will flourish and evolve into a superb league and I am delighted to be part of it.”

Spartans gaffer Douglas Samuel said, “It a fitting award for someone of Keith’s caliber and standing in non-league football to be the first recipient, to win will mean the award has significance and meaning going forward. Players who win this award will be viewed by players fans and managers as the top players in the Lowland League.”

By Michael Park

Midweek roundup – Stirling go two points clear at the top

Stirling University went two points clear at the top of the league last night after beating bottom placed Preston Athletic. Stirling are the only club in the league to have consecutive wins after seeing off East Kilbride at the weekend. Stirling started the game very well and took the lead in the opening five minutes. Ten minutes later and Stirling doubled their lead, Stirling had most of the chances and got their third ten minutes after the interval. Sean Martin pulled one back for the home side with a terrific goal late in the game.

Gala Fairydean Rovers welcomed Edinburgh City to Raydale and both teams served up a cracking six goal thriller, all six goals coming in the second half. The home team took the lead shortly after the break, before City drew level. Both sides scored their second goal then with only minutes remaining Dougie Gair scored what looked like the winner, but in injury time Noble popped up to score to ensure a share of the spoils.

Vale of Leithen visited Ainslie Park to take on Spartans, both teams confidence was high after securing victories in the opening game of the season. The game started at a fast pace and Vale were on top for most of the first half and were rewarded for their hard work on the half hour mark when John Ross-Kerr played beat the offside trap and his ball into the box found Scott Moffat who headed home. Spartans stepped up a gear in the second half and drew level with ten minutes to go, Kevin Motion scoring from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge.

In the other matches the Dumfries derby ended in a goalless draw between Dalbeattie and Threave, both sides had chances but neither could find a breakthrough. East Kilbride welcomed last seasons East champions Whitehill to K Park, despite chances neither side could find a breakthrough and went in at half time level. East Kilbride’s hard work was rewarded in the second half when they found a breakthrough and held on for three vital points. Borders club Selkirk travelled to Raydale to face Gretna who had been beaten by The Vale on opening day, Gretna played well and ran our five-nil winners on the night.