The Spartans head across the Queensferry Crossing on Saturday to Dalgety Bay in a break from SPFL 2 where they will face Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in the East of Scotland (City) Cup 1st Round (Kick-off 2.30pm).

After being scuppered by the snow last weekend, it will offer gaffer Douglas Samuel an opportunity to get match minutes into the legs of players who undoubtedly are keen to build on recent momentum that has offered a brace of 3-0 victories.

Our hosts ply their trade in EOS Division 1.  Whilst it has been a challenging start to the campaign for The Swifts, they had a decent cleansheet win over Hawick Royal Albert last month as they progressed in the Alex Jack Cup.

The Swifts enter the competition as winner of last season’s East of Scotland Qualifying Cup and they join the East of Scotland FA members playing in the SPFL in the competition.  The winners will play Edinburgh City in one semi-final whilst the winners of the Dunbar Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose tie head to Kelty for their shot at reaching the final.

The Spartans are four times winners of the ‘City’ Cup (4 times): 1998 | Livingston 1 Spartans 2 (Mitchell x2), 2005 | Berwick Rangers 1 Spartans 4 (Kader (x2), Antoni & Mitchell), Jan 2007 | Berwick Rangers 1 Spartans 2 (Young, Motion) and Apr 2008 | Berwick Rangers 2 Spartans 3 (O’Donnell x2, Preston).

Admission prices: Adults £8.00 / Concession £4.00 / Kids U16 Free – cash or contactless payments

Spectators who are driving to the game are encouraged to park on Harbour Way rather than directly outside the centre on Harbour Drive.

With light cloud and a gentle breeze forecast for Saturday afternoon, attendees can expect a fully stocked snack hut inside the ground for supporters to buy pies, tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.

Regrettably, despite a valiant attempt to do so, today’s William Hill SPFL 2 fixture v Stranraer has failed to pass the midday inspection.

What’s for the weekend ahead?  Weather permitting, we’ve got a trio of top ties for our Spartans Senior sides on the chilly horizon.

Coming up on Friday, there’s a trip west for our Under 20s who take on Caledonian Braves in a Development League Cup Quarter Final at Alliance Park.

Spartans go into the game on the back of a tough Challenge Cup tie against Armadale last week which ended in a narrow 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Max Williamson and Archie Wylie.

Hosts Braves also made progress in the same tournament with a win against Edinburgh United which came on the back of a 13 goal extravaganza in their last league outing against Kelty Hearts.

Kick-off at Alliance Park is 8.00pm

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Douglas Samuel’s SPFL 2 side will be looking to build on two positive clean sheet performances when they welcome Stranraer to Ainslie Park on Saturday afternoon.

Last season’s fixtures between the clubs – the first between the sides – featured some epic encounters, included the late comeback show from Ayrton Sonkur.  Earlier this season, a double from Paul Watson saw Spartans salvage a point at Stair Park after a sub-optimal opening half.

The visitors make the trip to North Edinburgh minus striker Ryan Edgar who received a red card to go with his birthday cards across the last seven days during a last gasp loss at home to Bonnyrigg.

Spartans will need to be wary of a Stranraer backlash and your support on the sidelines will certainly be the 12^th man for Sammy and the lads!

You can purchase tickets in advance via Fanbase: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=6062

League 2 Fixtures: Bonnyrigg v Stirling Albion, Edinburgh City v East Fife, Elgin v Clyde and Forfar v Peterhead.

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Hannah Jordan’s star billing following last weekend’s hat-trick exploits have offered Jack Beesley’s Spartans Women’s side a welcome boost as they head across the M8 where they face league leaders Glasgow City in SWPL 1.

Spartans head into the game in 8^th place with a decent run of form in recent weeks bumping the side up the league table as they wrestle for points to see who finishes in their highest position outside the Top 5.

The game at Petershill Park kicks-off at 1.00pm.  Tickets can be purchased online here: https://glasgowcityfc.co.uk/products/season-ticket-24-25-november-24-2024

A Cammy Russell double and a goal from Blair Henderson saw Spartans secure their second 3-0 victory in as many Saturdays with a win over Stirling Albion at Ainslie Park.

Manager Douglas Samuel kept the faith in the same starting XI that defeated Forfar last time out with the addition of Archie Wylie to the match day squad.

As the bitter wind-chill factor cut through the 501 in attendance across the Pilton arena, Spartans looked on fire from the off with Blair Henderson’s effort inside the box being blocked and sent behind for a corner within the opening minute of the game.

Whilst Kevin Waugh was resigned to a spot on the home bench, his brother Ricky was keen to grab the bragging rights at the next family gathering however his effort from outside Blair Carswell’s box would only trouble the observing Bino’s support standing on the embankment behind the Spartans goal.

Brogan Walls was putting in another impressive shift and his eyes lit up when Blair Henderson offloaded to him 25 yards out however the shot would only drift wide and behind as the hopes of a deadlock breaker looked to be decidedly elusive.

HT: The Spartans 0-0 Stirling Albion

Whilst the temperature dropped, the tempo increased as Spartans took the game to the visitors after the break.

Cammy Russell sprung the offside trap, ventured into the Albion box but his square ball seeking Blair Henderson was cut out, then the same player found Brogan Walls who sent his shot wide.

Finally, in the 56^th minute, persistence finally paid off.  James Craigen’s free-kick to the back post was knocked back into the melting pot by Brogan Walls.  An unlikely miss-kick by Cammy Russell fortuitously fell into the path of Blair Henderson who, at the second bite of the proverbial cherry, poked the ball into the net to open the scoring.

That advantage doubled just five minutes later.  Again, Henderson and Walls were at the heart of the build up play, the letter launching Cammy Russell who won the footrace against Erik Sula to despatch the ball across Derek Gaston and into the bottom corner.

Douglas Samuel freshened some legs, with Jamie Dishington and Lewis Hunter replacing the industrious duo of Walls and Scott.

Meanwhile, there was an almighty kerfuffle off the pitch as a photo of a burnt pie was circulated on X (yes, folk are still on the platform despite newspapers and suspension bridges alike publicly announcing their decisions to leave earlier in the week).  Thankfully, calm was restored in the sad tale of the sorry looking savoury and the frustrated Bino’s fan involved was rewarded with a second half replacement in the shape of a brand new bridie.

Back to the game and Mark Stowe came off the bench with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, replacing scorer Henderson.

James Craigen’s afternoon was cut short after a collision tight on the touchline and he was replaced by Kevin Waugh.

Then, with the scoreboard, sponsored by Village Hotels, showing 89 minutes played, Albion looked to launch a late ball in order to set up a grandstand finale.  Sadly for the visitors, that effort was to bounce off a fellow Bino and Cammy Russell was played in to finish off with aplomb.

FT: The Spartans 3-0 Stirling Albion