This Sunday Stirling University and Preston Athletic compete in the inaugural Lowland League Cup final, both won their respective qualifying sections and semi final.

Speaking this week, Stirling boss Eddie May said “Reaching a cup final is always a welcome achievement for any club, with the end objective focused on lifting a trophy. The students have been very fortunate to have gained success already this season in student sport competition.

“We adopted a squad rotation system in these matches to allow the students to return home for some part of the Christmas/New Year break. This proved beneficial as the players showed a freshness to their approach in some highly competitive matches in the ‘group of death’ against Spartans, Whitehill Welfare and Edinburgh City respectively.

“David Bingham will ensure that Preston Athletic are organised and systematic in their play. We require to be creative in attack and I will be encouraging our players to play with freedom to help ensure that the occasion does not impact negatively on their performance. I hope the match is entertaining and that the players on display catch the eyes of those watching for all the right reasons in terms of effort, behaviour, skill and flair.”

May’s opposite number David Bingham said “It’s great that all the hard work by both the players and also the staff behind the scenes has been rewarded by making it to this stage. Sunday’s game will be a real test for my team as Stirling are a good strong side who play a terrific brand of attacking football.

“Our season has been defined by lot of ups and downs in respect of performances and results. We have shown on several occasions that we can compete with the best in this league but have too often let ourselves down in other games. However, cup games are one offs and there is no better occasion for players to showcase their talents and I’m sure today will be no different.

“The surface will ensure that both teams will try to play football and will hopefully be a good spectacle for all supporters.

“I sincerely hope that the players enjoy the occasion but also don’t let it pass them by as they have a chance to make a little bit of history(as do Stirling) to be part of the first team to win the Lowland League Cup.”

All the action kicks off on Sunday at 3:00pm at Netherdale Arena, entrance fee is £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for children and concessions.

Spartans were crowned League winners last weekend after Vale of Leithen failed to win at home against Whitehill Welfare.

The Spartans gaffer Douglas Samuel spoke “To win the inaugural Lowland League with 2 games to spare is a testament to how well our new squad of players have done this season.

“Looking back to the start of the season, our number one goal was to win the league title. The new league has been a great success, a step-up in comparison to the old East of Scotland Premier Division.

“Playing against Dalbeattie and Threave once again, plus visiting a new rival in East Kilbride has been thoroughly enjoyable, it has brought a real freshness to things and made for a more challenging league campaign.

“We look forward to defending the title next season, however, we recognise it will be an even greater challenge as each and every Club looks to strengthen on and off the park”.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said ““It has been a memorable first season and we’re delighted to pick up the league trophy with two games to play.

“We added six new faces to the squad at the start of the season and once the guys gelled and we got into our stride in the league, we have played very well. I think it’s nine wins and a draw in our last ten league games.

“Congratulations and thanks to Dougie, Gary, Neil, Craig, Gregor, Ralph and Brian plus all the players for their fantastic efforts. We’re looking for a big fans turnout on 3rd May when we pick up the trophy, it will be a great day and the chance to work with the Scottish Sun who have been great sponsors in the first season of the Lowland League”.

League chairman Andrew Waddell said “It has been a terrific season for all the clubs involved in the Lowland League and Spartans have been the most consistent team and are deserved winners.

“This season has given us a chance to prepare for the Pyramid that comes into effect at the end of next season and it’s great that all the clubs have really embraced the changes.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to congratulate Douglas Samuel and his coaching staff as well as the players and committee at Spartans FC on this great achievement.”

Spartans have been crowned the first Scottish Lowland champions – on a day they lost at home to Dalbeattie Star.

The Edinburgh team were knocked out of the South Challenge Cup 3-2, but Vale of Leithen’s 2-0 defeat at home to Whitehill Welfare ensured that Spartans could not be caught in the race for the title.

Vale were the only side that could mathematically prevent the Ainslie Park side from taking the crown, but their slim hopes were downed by a Whitehill side who moved into second place courtesy of Darren McGlashan and Aaron Somerville’s goals.

Preston Athletic slipped to a 2-0 defeat at home by Gretna 2008, whose goals were scored by Brandon Longcake and Joe Slattery.

Edinburgh City made the journey to Meadow Park to face Threave Rovers and ran out 5-0 winners, goals from Mark Osborne (2), Mark Torrance, Ian McFarlane and Ryan Wilson.

In the South Challeneg Cup semi-finals, Dalbeattie Star beat Spartans 3-2 at Ainslie Park with Lewis Sloan on target twice, and East Kilbride ran out 5-4 winners against East of Scotland Champions Lothian Thistle.

At a meeting of the East of Scotland Football League Board in Edinburgh last night, the draw for the ‘all-in’ stages of the South Challenge Cup was performed. In the First All-In Round – two North-East qualifiers were draw at home to two South-West qualifiers, and two South-West qualifiers were drawn at home to two North-East qualifiers.

First All-In Round
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Threave Rovers
Preston Athletic / Heriot-Watt University v Dalbeattie Star
Nithsdale Wanderers v Spartans
East Kilbride v University of Stirling
(ties to be played on Saturday 15th March 2014)

Semi Finals
Lothian Thistle HV / Threave Rovers v East Kilbride / University of Stirling
Nithsdale Wanderers / Spartans v (Preston Athletic / Heriot-Watt University) / Dalbeattie Star
(ties to be played on Saturday 19th April 2014)

Final
(to be played on Saturday 24th May 2014 at a venue to be decided)

Keith McLeod has once again been nominated the Colin Campbell Sports player of the month.

Continue reading “McLeod named Colin Campbell Sports player of the month” →