We’re delighted to welcome City Cabs Edinburgh as our official taxi partner for the 2024/25 season.
It was great to have Matthew Turner and David Green from City Cabs Edinburgh along to Ainslie Park to unveil their new sponsorship board.
To book your City Cabs Edinburgh hire, call 0131 228 1211 or download their booking app.
The Spartans will face Livingston, Montrose and Civil Service Strollers in a hat-trick of pre-season friendlies.
After a successful debut campaign in SPFL 2, Douglas Samuel’s side begin their preparation for the season ahead against Livingston.
Plying their trade this season in the SPFL Championship, David Martindale’s side head to Ainslie Park on Saturday 29th June. The two teams of course will lock horns in a competitive capacity when they face each other in the final round of Premier Sports Cup group fixtures at the end of July.
Those of a certain vintage will recall the scenes at a capacity City Park in 2004 when non-league Spartans hit the headlines, taking on their top flight opponents in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup. It was all square at the break however Derek Lilley was the architect of the Livingston win with a second half hat-trick.
Next up on Saturday 6th July, SPFL 1 outfit Montrose head to North Edinburgh.
Whilst the Clubs have never met at senior level, back in October 2010 they did play each other in the Scottish Youth Cup. The Spartans u19s losing out 2-3 that day – an own goal separating the sides in the end. The visitors were fast out the traps though with a young whippersnapper called Martin Boyle scoring two early goals. The impressive youngster had made his first time debut against Hibs in the Scottish Cup earlier that year. Whatever happened to him, eh?
Our final pre-season friendly sees us make the short journey down the road to Christie Gillies Park on Tuesday 9th July where we take on our North Edinburgh chums, Civil Service Strollers.
Gary Jardine, now in his seventh year at the helm, will be buoyed by his side’s positive finish to last season’s Lowland League campaign, a five game winning run which saw them finish in 7th place – the third time Strollers have ended their Lowland League season in that position.
There have been many a classic derby clash between the sides, naturally too many to mention in this preview. However, we go back to March 1958 when the sides met in Muirhouse in the East of Scotland League.
The Berwick Advertiser noted, “Civil Service Strollers made a great effort to get clear of the foot of the table when they played their near neighbours, Spartans. The Spartans, twice in arrears, eventually found their scoring touch and won by 5-4. Albiston had a hat-trick and confirmed that he is well worth his place in the Scotland amateur side.”
Ticket prices for these pre-season games are: Adults £10, Concessions £8 and Youths £3.
The Spartans have been drawn alongside Livingston, Dunfermline, Cove Rangers and Forfar Athletic for this season’s Premier Sports Cup group stages.
We’re delighted to confirm that after discussions between the five clubs in Group E, we’re able to announce confirmed prices for our Premier Sports Cup group stage matches, which will be uniformed across all matches in the group.
Adults: £12
Concession: £8
U12: £1
Our thanks to our colleagues at Dunfermline Athletic, Cove Rangers, Livingston and Forfar Athletic for all being willing to work on this to meet at a point that all clubs were happy with, but also on prices that we believe keeps attendance as affordable as possible for all.
We hope the agreed ‘Kids for a Quid’ option will be well received by supporters of all five clubs.
Advance ticket sales for our home matches against Dunfermline Athletic and Forfar Athletic will be on sale via Fanbase soon and of course, pay at the gate will be available too.
Saturday 13th July, 3.00pm Premier Sports Cup Group E
The Spartans v Dunfermline Athletic
Tuesday 16th July, 7.45pm Premier Sports Cup Group E
Cove Rangers v The Spartans
Tuesday 23th July, 7.45pm Premier Sports Cup Group E
The Spartans v Forfar
Saturday 27th July, 3.00pm Premier Sports Cup Group E
Livingston v The Spartans
It was the perfect ending to the Under 20s season at New Central Park in Kelty on Friday night as Les Atkinson’s side lifted the Development League Cup trophy after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Stirling Albion.
For several of the Spartans outfit, it was to be one final hurrah in the Club colours, some having been involved with the club from their nursery years.
It was a quick return to Kelty for the North Edinburgh side having ended their League campaign there last Saturday afternoon however there was to be no repeat of the sublime sunshine as the grey clouds covered the Fife sky.
From gloom to boom in just three minutes however as James Clare pulled off the most incredible 40 yard strike that couldn’t have been struck any sweeter, with the keeper left with no option than to dive valiantly and watch it whizz past to bulge the back of the net.
Josh Laing’s early dominance out wide saw him take some energetic dashes up the line, causing discomfort for a Stirling Albion side that were finding the Spartans start difficult to handle.
Given Ndlovu came close before Charlie Rothnie latched onto the ball in the box as it broke free and his fierce half-volley had ‘Destination Onion Bag’ written all over it. Spartans two goals up inside the opening 11 minutes however the Spartan Army support amongst the 179 crowd have seen these films before!
The game simmered into a mild frenzy shortly after with a lull in goalscoring and understandably, an attempt at a resurgence by the Binos who looked to chip away at the Spartans lead.
When Aaron Cameron broke free late in the half, he selflessly squared to Given Ndlovu on the edge of the box however the talismanic striker maybe had too much too to decide his next move and was unable to trouble the keeper.
Stirling Albion came close ahead of the interval with a period of sustained pressure however the Spartans defence continued to remain resolute and held out until the teams headed to the sheds in the nearby Community Centre.
HT: Spartans 2-0 Stirling Albion
It was almost a double for Charlie Rothnie moments after the break but he just couldn’t extend his leg enough to reach the ball with the keeper coming off his line to close the gap.
Then it was Aaron Cameron’s turn to fire a low drive towards the Binos end and it whizzed past the post on the carpet.
The Spartans defence then decided to make things lively at the other end with some uncharacteristic defending that had the otherwise chilled Les Atkinson up on his feet offering instruction.
Cometh the hour, cometh the further light between the sides and one hand on the trophy. Spartans making a break and when Captain Sam Coats made his way to the bye-line, he squared it across the face of the goal to find Given Ndlovu who tapped home is 82nd and final Spartans u20s goal.
Spare a thought though for Archie Wylie who was credited by the announcer as the scorer. Close, but no cigars all round.
A double change saw Max Charleston and Kyle McNeil introduced for Wylie and Rothnie.
Into the final quarter of an hour and the metaphorical red and white ribbons were being tied to the trophy after Kyle McNeil sprung the offside trap and pushed the ball beyond the advancing keeper into the empty net to make it 4-0 and spark wonderful celebration scenes.
A triple chance followed before the restart as Andy Kelly, Logan Wilson-Need and Adri Anagnostou entered the fray with Ndlovu, Cameron and Clare retiring to the dug-out.
Despite being a relative on-looker throughout, Rowan Weir between the Spartans sticks still needed to be alert and the goalie, playing in his final game after no fewer than 15 – yes, you read that correctly – years at the Club, flung himself to deny Stirling Albion a late consolation.
FT: Spartans 4-0 Stirling Albion
MintBox Man of the Match: Josh Laing
The Spartans have made their first signing of the summer, subject to SFA clearance, as we welcome Hamish Ritchie to Ainslie Park.
27 year old Ritchie joins The Spartans from Peterhead where he scored 20 goals in 93 appearances at Balmoor. He’ll be familiar with the faces in the sheds following the sides having met no fewer than seven times last season.
Attacking Midfielder Ritchie said, ‘I’m delighted to sign with the club. Having met with the manager, I was really impressed with the forward-thinking approach and the ambition of the club. Hopefully I can help Spartans achieve its goals, as well as improve as player and add to the attacking options”.
Gaffer Douglas Samuel was delighted to welcome the first signing of the close season.
Samuel added, “I’m thrilled to bring a player of Hamish’s proven pedigree and quality on board. He will increase and strengthen our options at the top end of the pitch as we look to keep developing and improving as a side. I’m excited to see Hamish in Spartans colours next season”
Ayrton Sonkur’s second half strike set up a mouth watering return leg at Ainslie Park on Friday night after a narrow loss at a decidedly dreich Dumbarton Stadium on Tuesday evening.
There was one change in the Spartans starting XI with Jamie Dishington swapping with Rhys Armstrong whilst Blair Henderson retained the skipper’s armband.
Just over a 1,000 supporters braved the elements as the rain lashed down shortly after kick-off which saw Spartans going on the offensive from the off. Inventive play securing a couple of early corners however the Dumbarton defence were equal to the task.
The deadlock was broken in bizarre circumstances in the 21st minute. Gallagher Lennon’s long ball changed postcodes, never mind direction, in the blustery and soggy Dumbarton sky as it hurtled towards the Spartans box.
Despite Blair Carswell’s efforts to adjust and track the trajectory of the ball, he could only push onto the bar and Tony Wallace was on hand to pounce and tap home to open the scoring.
Spartans rallied and Ayrton Sonkur was close with a glancing header that saw Jay Hogarth scramble and tip wide.
As Spartans pressed to get back on level terms, Michael Ruth made ground down the far touchline before sending in a low cross that was met by Finlay Gray who guided home at the front post.
Cammy Russell came close to halving the deficit moments later, only for a timely tackle in the box seeing him thwarted as he looked to unleash a strike towards Jay Hogarth.
HT: Dumbarton 2-0 The Spartans
Just three minutes after the interval, Spartans were to grab that elusive goal. After Cammy Russell’s corner wasn’t fully cleared by the home defence, Callum Booth whipped the ball back in with interest. It was then flicked on by Paul Watson into the path of Ayrton Sonkur who directed the ball beyond the keeper from the edge of the box.
James Craigen was Spartans saviour at the other end with a crucial headed clearance off the line as another wind-assisted Dumbarton corner caused problems for the visitors.
Spartans looked to have been denied a penalty kick when Cammy Russell latched on to a long pass from Marc McNulty and raced into the box with Carlo Pignatiello in pursuit. As Russell stopped in mid-flow to cut back inside, his standing foot appeared to be taken away by Pignatiello sending Russell sprawling. Unfortunately for the Spartans man his appeals were unsuccessful and play raged on.
James Craigen was next to find himself in the box after being played in by Cammy Russell. Craigen’s touch took him away from the defender and his clip over Jay Hogarth agonisingly hit the crossbar.
The travelling support were then treated by the sight of Jordan Tapping coming on as a late replacement, making a return to the pitch after being sidelined for a number of weeks due to injury.
FT: Dumbarton 2-1 The Spartans
| Date: | 11/01/25 |
|---|---|
| Opponent: | Stirling Albion |
| Venue: | Forthbank Stadium |
| Competition: | SPFL 2 |
| Kick off: | 3.00pm |
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