Tag: Spartans FC

By Michael Park

Seven clubs apply to join Lowland League

The Lowland League is today delighted to announce that seven clubs have applied for membership to play in the League from next season.

The League Board will now look at all the applications over the course of the coming weeks and a decision will be made by the end of this month.

League Chairman Andrew Waddell said: “We are delighted that there has been such an interest in the League and we will now look at each application on its own merits and assess them to ensure that they will be in a position to meet the entry requirements.”

“This process will take a few weeks to complete and clubs will know by the end of April on the outcome of their application.”

Up to four clubs from the seven applications may be elected to play in the League next season. In order to qualify the Scottish Lowland Football League clubs must be assured that they can achieve a club license by May 2015.  Sporting performance will also be important to ensure the quality of play in the 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.

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

League fixtures announced

The Scottish Lowland Football League is delighted to announce our first fixture list, casting fixtures until February 2014.

Speaking after the first board meeting, chairperson Andrew Waddell said “We are delighted that we are now in position to publicise the fixtures for the league. We have had to work hard over the past few weeks to get everything in place and I am delighted with the progress made.”

“I would like to thank member clubs, board members and secretarial team for all their hard work and support and I look forward to the League starting.”

The Scottish Lowland Football League kicks of on the 10th August 2013 at 3.00pm.

You can download the fixture list below but please also check the website for up to date information. 

Lowland League Fixtures

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