It is second v fourth in SPFL 2 as The Spartans head to Balmoor Stadium on Saturday as they first-foot Peterhead in the opening league fixture of 2024. 

Having never met prior to Spartans’ promotion via the Pyramid set up, this will be the fourth meeting between the clubs since August. 

The inaugural fixture took place back in July in the Viaplay Cup, Blair Henderson and Cammy Russell scoring in a 1-2 win, Spartans second of the group stages having defeated Dundee United in the opening tie.

Another trip North exactly a month later saw another first encounter – of the SPFL 2 kind – with a similar outcome courtesy of a Jamie Dishington winner.

When the teams locked horns at Ainslie Park in November, it was once against the visiting team who turned out victorious, with the Blue Toon coming out on top with a late winner after Cammy Russell’s incredible free-kick levelled proceedings.

Spartans bounced back seven days later to see of Arbroath in the Scottish Cup, followed by an undefeated December, scoring eight goals without conceding in the process, including a historic Blair Henderson hat-trick.

Since their visit to North Edinburgh, Peterhead have had a mixed bag of fortunes. A draw on the road at Bonnyrigg Rose was followed by a win at home against Clyde.  However in their last two outings, they have been on the wrong end of back-to-back defeats by the odd goal in three against Forfar and Elgin City.

Douglas Samuel’s side make the 320 mile round trip having scored most goals on the road in SPFL 2 whilst the hosts joint management team in Jordon Brown & Ryan Strachan will be keen to keep the tightest home defence in the competition intact, having only conceded 7 goals from eight games.

Supporter Info:

No cash turnstiles, tickets can be purchased prior to the game from our ticket office located at the front of the stadium. Peterhead v The Spartans (ticketco.events)

Social club open at Balmoor for home and away fans.  CASH only catering within stadium. Programmes available to purchase.  Coffee shop open pre-match for tea/coffee and hot food.  50/50 tickets for sale.

Today’s SPFL 2 match at New Dundas Park is OFF due to a frozen pitch.

The curtain comes down on a remarkable 2023 this weekend when Douglas Samuel takes his side to New Dundas Park where they face Bonnyrigg Rose in SPFL 2.

It’s fourth v fifth in the final game of the year between two sides who have successfully progressed via the Pyramid play-offs from the Lowland League.

Whilst Saturday’s hosts may hold the upper hand in the historic Lowland League head-to-head tale of the tape, last time out saw dogged determination from a Spartans side trailing by two goals to produce a late comeback to earn a point in a 2-2 draw at a soggy Ainslie Park.

Only one of the previous five encounter have taken place at New Dundas Park, another 2-2 share of the spoils in the final Lowland League clash between the sides in the 2021/22 season.  Bonnyrigg were to gain promotion to SPFL 2 that year and Spartans of course, joined them at the end of the following campaign.

Spartans head into the game undefeated in December, securing three clean sheet victories over Forfar, Elgin and Stranraer.  Hosts Bonnyrigg kicked off the month with a narrow defeat away to Stenhousemuir, held Peterhead 1-1 at home ahead of a 1-3 loss on the road at Stranraer. A 0-3 win at Methil last weekend however offering a return to winning ways.

Our hosts have produced this handy guide for supporters attending the game. M

Admission prices are: Adults (17 – 65) – £14, Concessions (over 65s, disabled, carer) – £9, Youth (12 – 16) – £5, Children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult – Free

Oh, come all ye faithful is the war cry of Cammy Russell as he looks to make it the most wonderful time of the year and deliver the Fairytale of Ainslie Park for Spartans supporters in a potential Christmas cracker against Stranraer.

The playmaker, who added to Blair Henderson’s hat-trick last weekend in the 0-4 win at Elgin City, is delighted to get back to winning ways and, just like Santa, deliver for the Spartans fans this Christmas weekend.  

“I recall just before the Scottish Cup game against Arbroath noting that after a couple of tight defeats that we were keen to get back into the bread and butter of league action again.  We ‘won ugly’ against Forfar last time here to get back to winning ways and credit to the boys for the positive performance last week up in Elgin to get us back on track.

“We’re looking forward to being back at home for the last time in what’s been an incredible year for the Club and we hope to give the fans some Christmas cheer.”

Last week saw Spartans come out of the Borough Briggs traps with gusto in the gusty conditions, scoring twice in the opening six minutes. Could it be deja vu all over again come 3pm?

“Whilst we arguably had the conditions first half last week, it’s a mentality thing as well.  If that’s something we can instil every week that we just go for it straight from the off then that could be a really good thing for the team as well, but there’s always plenty to learn and work on this season, that’s for sure.”

It’s still an incredibly tight league and if you look back at the opening round of fixtures, everybody was beating everybody and there were draws all over the place.  That gap was really small however in the next round of fixtures, you’re starting to see wee gaps developing here and there.  I’m sure it’ll look even more different when we come to the final round of fixtures in March too.”

Last time out saw an enthralling encounter at Stair Park. The lead change hands no fewer than three times with Blair Henderson’s strike proving to be the winner in a seven-goal humdinger. 

Kick-off is 3pm, so why not get along and whether there’s a festive feast of goals or the goalie concedes brussels sprout, love your football more locally!

We are delighted to confirm ticket prices and ticket arrangements for our Scottish Gas Scottish Cup against Hearts on Saturday 20^th January. 

The crowd limit has been set at 3500.

The tickets are priced at:

• Main Stand and Newtown Roofing Stand £25 (limited availability)
• Adult – Ground £20
• Concession – Ground £15

Hearts have received an allocation of just over 800 tickets and will manage the sale of these tickets.

Our allocation will not go on public sale but will be distributed across sponsors, shareholders, season ticket holders, players/coaches, our youth section and the other groups within the club.  One of our Committee will be in touch with each group to discuss their allocation and process for buying tickets.   

If you are an Adult or Concession season ticket holder you are entitled to buy 2 match tickets, if you have a Child season ticket you can buy 1 match ticket.  Please email Kyle at kyle.spartansfc@gmail.com to order your ticket.  To guarantee your tickets please email Kyle by Saturday 30^th December. 

Tickets will be available to be paid for and collected at Ainslie Park during the week of the game, Kyle will advise timings for ticket collections.

We have a very limited number of hospitality ticket packages which have already been allocated to regular guests and major sponsors.  

We are looking forward to a fantastic cup tie.