Tag: Ainslie Park

By Michael Park

McLeod picks up hat-trick of awards

Spartans striker Keith McLeod picked up his third Colin Campbell Sports player of the month for January, taking his award tally to three.

Speaking after the announcement McLeod said “I am delighted with the award, it means a lot to be named player of the month for the third consecutive month. 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 January POM winner

“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 season 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.”

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said “Keith’s a worthy winner of this award, when we told he simply couldn’t believe it. Keith’s a great all round player, he is committed to this club and we are delighted that he is part of our club.”

 

 

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.

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