Category: News

By Michael Park

Inaugural match day roundup

The inaugural Scottish Lowland Football League kicked off on Saturday and there was no shortage of goals, twenty goals over six games.

Preston’s Athletics Michael Osbourne scored the first goal in the league when he broke away from the kick off and fired home in just thirty-two seconds. Preston’s lead was short lived, Andrew Donnelly scored his first of a hat-trick a few minutes later to level it. Kieran Dodds put Preston back in front but again Donnelly was on hand to level. Donnelly got his hat-rick on the hour mark but Dale O’Hara leveled for Preston within a minute of the leveler James Struthers fired Dalbeattie into the lead and to take all three points.

Whitehill welcomed Gala Fairydean Rovers to Ferguson Park, Gala were quick out the traps and in the opening minutes caused Whitehill all sort of problems but they couldn’t find a breakthrough. Aaron Somerville broke the deadlock for Whitehill when he broke up the wing and his cross come shot floated in the air over the top of the keeper and ended up in the net. Two goals from Wayne McIntosh in quick succession knocked the wind of Gala but they did manage to get a goal back through Jamie Gibson just before the interval. With ten minutes to go McIntosh got his hat-trick and in stoppage time Sean Palicza pulled back for the visitors.

Vale of Leithen played host to Gretna and with both sides having chances and not taking them it was left until the last ten minutes of this game to decide the winner. Scott Gormley fired the ball into the net to give the homes side the advantage and with only five minutes remaining Stuart O’Neill slotted the ball over the line to give the home team all three points.

In the Edinburgh derby most of the match was played in the middle of the park and there wasn’t many goal-scoring opportunities. Jack Beesley scored the winner on the hour mark when he got on the end of a long ball and he chipped the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. Keith McLeod was sent off near the end of the game after he appeared to lash out an opponent.

Phil Addison gave Selkirk the lead in the opening minutes against Threave and despite both teams shaving various chances they went in all level at the interval. Ten minutes after the interval Craig Lawrie leveled for Threave and neither side could find a breakthrough.

East Kilbride travelled to Forth Bank to face Stirling University, both teams had chances to score in the first half but neither did. As the game neared the closing stages East Kilbride took the lead, this lead was short lived and five minutes later Paul Sludden scored from the penalty spot. Blair McWhirter then sealed the victory for the home side when he fired home with just a few minutes remaining.

By Michael Park

Inaugural Lowland League kicks off today

Today has finally arrived, years of talking, months of planning and today history will be made in Scottish Football at 3.00pm when the inaugural Scottish Lowland Football League kicks off.

League chairperson Andrew Waddell reflects on what has been a roller coaster ride over the last 7 weeks.

Andrew said “It has been a very hectic few weeks since the announcement by the SFA that the Lowland League was going to kick off this season. As well as being an exciting time its also been a daunting time for the board of the League because we have had so much to do in such a short space of time. I am delighted that we have managed to make what appeared to be the impossible, possible, and this has only been possible as a result of the hard work of the board and member clubs.”

Andrew Waddell

“We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the East of Scotland League and the South of Scotland League and I am sure our excellent relationship will continue to flourish.  As there is no precedent set we will continue to find our way in the professional game and I am sure that with everyones support we can ensure that the Lowland league will be an excellent football league.”

Despite having refereed in the top flight in Scottish Football, and served as a FIFA referee, Andrew says “Not even my twenty-five years in top flight refereeing have prepared me for this task.”

The Lowland League kicks off this afternoon and all matches kick off at 3.00pm. You can find out the fixtures on our fixtures page.

By Michael Park

Queens prove to strong for Spartans

Spartans travelled to Palmerston Park to take on Ramsdens Cup holder Queen Of The South on Saturday.

Both sides started brightly and it didn’t take long for Queens to start piling on the pressure and they were rewarded in the tenth minute when a corner was whipped in and wasn’t cleared and this allowed Stephen McKenna to head how from close range.

Jack Beacher then gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and the cross ball was left by the Spartans players and Derek Lyle nipped in and scored from close range.

QOS v Spartans

McKenna got his second of the afternoon when Spartans again failed to deal with a cross and McKenna headed the ball into the net.

Spartans started the second half well and were beginning to take control of the game, however, they were dealt a sucker punch when a wild cross was whipped into the Spartans box and Kevin Holt out jumped the defence and his powerful header left the keeper with no chance.

After the game Spartans manager Dougie Samuel was upbeat and he said “We will take lots of positives from this game, it was a really hard match for us and I was disappointed that we lost three goals from crosses. We will be working hard over the next few weeks to ensure we are ready for the season starting on the 10th August”.

By Michael Park

Spartans Lead in Ramsdens Cup qualifier

Spartans won 4 – 2 at home over Threave Rovers to go into next weeks second leg with a two goal advantage.

A crowd of 321 were treated to six goals in a fantastic opener to the Scottish football season in the Capital.

The visitors had the first chance of the game in the opening minutes after a goalmouth stramash from a Nicholl free-kick finally saw the ball sneak wide of Bennett’s post.

Aerial challenge (Picture: Carlson Ralton)
Aerial challenge (Picture: Carlson Ralton)

Despite the early start to the 2013/14 campaign and several new faces in each camp, both teams looked confident on the ball but couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock.

With no changes at the break from either camp, both managers stuck with their original line ups in a bid to make an early breakthrough.

That came in the 48th minute – and it was for the home team.

A Jack Beesley cross whipped in from out wide evaded the Rovers defence and it was left for Robbie Ross to get his big yellow boots wrapped round the ball to tap it in from 6 yards out. 1-0.

It was a double for Ross minutes later when he headed the ball past Parker in the Threave goal with the aid of a slight deflection to extend the Spartans lead.

Threave edged their way back into the game with a Milligan goal with a tap in from a yard out, nipping between Whatley and Sivewright in the Spartans defence. 2-1.

It was all square after 77 minutes when Bennett rushed out to the edge of his box to deal with a through ball however his clumsy challenge on Milligan left the man in the middle no option than to point to the spot. Wilby sent the keeper the wrong way and pegged back the deficit. 2-2.

With 5 minutes to go, Spartans nudged their way back in front and it was another clear-cut spot kick decision for the whistler.

Gary Cennerazzo made a bursting run into the box and as he stepped inside to shape up for the shot at goal, he was upended by Kerr. Kevin Motion took the resultant penalty and slotted it neatly into the bottom left hand corner. 3-2.

As the keenly and cleanly fought contest went into injury time, Chris Anderson restored Spartans two goal advantage. Main left three Threave defenders rooted to the spot in the 6 yard box after connecting with a Beacher cross from the right flank. His half-volley across the box was a gift for Anderson who popped it home despite the despairing attempts of goalkeeper Parker to stop him.

source: www.spartansfc.com