A roundup off all todays action. Continue reading “Opening day roundup”
Tag: SFA
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.
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.”
“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.
Lowland League logo announced
Today the Scottish Lowland Football League are delighted to publicise the logo that has been agreed by the member clubs.
League chairman Andrew Waddell said “We had a variety of logos produced by the SFA, the member clubs chose the final two and we asked the SFA to combine them. We are delighted with how the new logo looks and I would like to thank the SFA for their assistance”.
The Lowland League kicks off on the 10th August and you can find out the fixtures on the fixtures page.
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.
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
