It’s an Edinburgh Derby to whet the New Year appetite in the Capital. Douglas Samuel’s Spartans have been drawn against Heart of Midlothian in Round 4 of the Scottish Cup.
The tie is due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 20th January. Confirmed fixture info will be posted across our social media channels in due course.
The Spartans take a break from the SPFL 2 adventures on Saturday and focus their attentions on the Scottish Cup where they will face Championship outfit Arbroath at Ainslie Park.
Following a 1-2 win on the road against Highland League side Brechin City in Round 2, Douglas Samuel’s men will be looking to be in the hat for Sunday night’s 4th Round draw.
The North Edinburgh side have had an impressive start to life in the SPFL following promotion via the Pyramid Play-Offs which has seen two Manager of the Month awards for Douglas Samuel whilst Jamie Dishington and Bradley Whyte have picked up the Player of the Month for August and October respectively.
Our visitors, under the stewardship of Dick Campbell, sit in 9th spot in the Championship table, four points ahead of Morton, but equally importantly, with a game in hand too.
Last week saw the Red Lichties head to Wales in the Challenge Cup where they exited the competition losing 4-1. It was the same tournament that gave Arbroath their last win, a 1-2 victory on the road against Queen of the South in mid-October.
Scottish Cup Head-to-Head:
The sides have met three times, with both sides recording wins and a draw in the mix too.
In 1996-97 they fought out a 0-0 draw at City Park before Arbroath were to win 3-0 in the replay at Gayfield Park.
However, it was the then plucky East of Scotland amateurs who gained revenge in the 2005-06 tournament with an emphatic 1-4 victory in what was a result that catapulted the club forward and was arguably the club’s finest Scottish Cup run of their history at that time.
Having disposed of Alloa Athletic in the previous round, their fellow Second Division counterparts Arbroath welcomed Spartans to Gayfield Stadium and took the lead via McGlashan, perhaps settling early fears amongst the home support. Spartans on the other hand had second thoughts. A Craig Manson brace together with goals from Keith McLeod and Phil Johnson set up a home tie in the 4th round against Livingston, the draw made whilst the victorious visiting entourage, still in their mud-caked kit, huddled round the telly in a small room to watch.
You can read more from the ‘Arbroath archives’ in Saturday’s bumper 40 page match programme, priced at £3.
The Scottish Cup has been making magic memories for well over a century now. Come 4.45pm on Saturday, we hope you will be at Ainslie Park to witness a little bit more.
Kick-off is 3.00pm. Admission: Save time at the turnstiles and buy your tickets in advance via our partners Fanbase. Under 14s go for free. There is no requirement to buy a ticket online however we reserve the right to request ID to confirm age. There will also be a cash / card gate.
A Guide to Ainslie Park and Supporters Information can be found here
After a month on the road, The Spartans are back at home on Saturday afternoon where welcome SPFL 2 league leaders Peterhead to Ainslie Park.
It’s back to back top four clashes for Douglas Samuel’s side with both teams coming into the game looking to bounceback after defeats to fellow play-off spot contenders Stenhousemuir over the last seven days.
One man with his mind set on getting back to winning ways is fans favourite Jordan Tapping. It’s been quite the adventure so far for the talismanic defender who joined in the summer of 2022 with a League and Cup double in his first season that ended in the ultimate prize of promotion to the SPFL.
For Tapping and the Spartans team, its a chance to get back to finally playing at home and build on the standards set thus far.
“We are definitely looking forward to getting back to playing at Ainslie Park and obviously it’ll be a bonus to be doing so in front of our home fans.
“Naturally we’ll be looking to bounceback at the first opportunity after last week’s disappointment at Stenny. Of course we appreciate it will be a tough game as have the previous two times we’ve played against Peterhead this season so far. That said, we have won both of those up there in the cup and the league but its all about how we perform this Saturday that counts now.”
“The boys have been excellent so far this season and we’re working hard to match the expectations we set ourselves out to achieve at milestone points throughout. We’ve only lost twice, and to the same team, with a late injury time goal and a wild deflection so across the piece I think as a group we should be proud of our performances so far.”
With both Hibs and Hearts not in action this weekend due to the International Break, it is hoped that a bumper crowd will flock to Ainslie Park for this top four clash. The increase in home support this season has impressed the Spartans defender.
“It’s always good to have a big crowd to play in front of. It gives you an extra boost to hearing the young team banging the drums and seeing so many new faces coming along to support their local team. And with it being a big, big game against the league leaders, that 12th man in the stands can make a real big difference.”
Kick-off at Ainslie Park is 3.00pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance to save time at the turnstiles via Fanbase
If its your first time visiting our ground, here’s a handy guide.
And if you can’t make it to the game, we can bring you live coverage across the UK and the rest of the world this weekend. Our new platform for watching The Spartans online is now live. You can purchase Saturday’s game for an introductory price of just £7.99 via the Spartans FC TV website.
Saturday’s Match Ball Sponsor is:
The Spartans Manager Douglas Samuel and Midfielder Bradley Whyte have been awarded the SPFL 2 Manager and Player of the Month respectively.
Samuel wins the Glen’s Vodka sponsored award for the second time in three months, having steered the side to an undefeated month which sees the side currently sit in third place.
On receiving his award, an ebullient Spartans Manager Douglas Samuel said, “I’m delighted to receive the award on behalf of everyone in the Spartans home dressing – all the staff and players.
“The players have adjusted well to life in League 2 so far and are enjoying the challenge each & every game brings.”
Bradley Whyte picked up the gong for top player in the league for the month of October, an accolade the talented playmaker richly deserves having made a significant impact in the heart of the Spartans midfield.
He is the second Spartans player to receive the award following Jamie Dishington picking up the inaugural trophy in August.
The Spartans are on the road for the third week on the bounce and a trip to Ochilview on Saturday awaits where they take on Stenhousemuir in the latest round of cinch SPFL 2 fixtures.
There’s only one point separating the two in-form teams who sit 4th and 3rd respectively, with our hosts having a game in hand.
It took a 97th minute goal to separate the sides last time out, Spartans only defeat this season however Douglas Samuel takes his charges to Stenny looking to preserve their unbeaten away record.
One man keen to put his body on the line to ensure that happens is James Craigen. The midfielder has been an integral part of Samuel’s starting XIs this season since his move across the Capital from Edinburgh City.
Ahead of the clash between two of the table’s top four, Craigen said, “We have a good away record so far this season and long may that continue. It’s going to be a tough game against Stenhousemuir for sure, as all have them have turned in out to be in this really tight league.
“There’s only a coat of paint between so many of the teams and we know we’ll have to be on it right from the off, stick to our game plan and respond to how the Gaffer wants us to play.
“It goes without saying that we’ll need to give our all to get a result on Saturday however should we do so, what a massive lift that would give us.”
Craigen, who has scored crucial opening goals in wins against Elgin City and Stranraer, is undoubtedly conscious of the spotlight being shone on the league newbies however his experience at this level is crucial in maintaining perspective in a season that still has a consider journey still to go.
He added, “We’re enjoying quietly going about our business and aren’t getting ahead of ourselves but these are the games that we know as individuals we want to play with the ball as much as we can and collectively as a unit, we want to be involved in these top of the table clashes, so we’re really excited for it.”
“I think you get that bounce when you come up as a team and we’ve certainly used that. You go into the second round of fixtures and clubs that have been probably trying to work you out have had the experience of seeing what you are all about so we may need to tweak a few things, but that’s fine.
“We’re quite happy to be ticking over and doing so relatively under the radar as we go. We’ll let ourselves concentrate on doing our talking on the pitch really. And if we can keep knitting results together and keep building on what we’ve done already this season, I think that’s good for us and we’re happy with that.”
Kick Off | 3pm
Location | Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir
Match Entry | Cash and digital tickets are accepted at the turnstiles. The easiest option is to buy your ticket in advance and you can do that easily here.
Ochilview Guide | If you’re making your first trip to Ochilview, you may find this cracking guide from our hosts useful. You can view it here.
The Spartans extended their unbeaten run to seven games at New Douglas Park after a hard fought victory over Clyde in the SPFL.
Gaffer Douglas Samuel kept his faith in the starting XI that defeated Brechin City seven days earlier in the Scottish Cup whilst Clyde looked to build on their Monday night victory in Musselburgh in the same competition.
With the clocks already having gone back, the pleasant afternoon sunshine started its descent behind the stand, housing 556 hardy souls as kick-off approached.
The opening stages were for the purists with Referee Kirkland’s whistle being exercised extensively with a plethora of petty fouls threatening to put paid to any dynamic displays of fast flowing football.
Clyde had a couple of decent corners on the bounce, one which required a fine double fisting by Jacques Heraghty before the goalie put in a few impromptu chin-ups on the bar as the resultant corner kick effort went over the top of his goal.
Rhys Armstrong had a chance from some 25 yards as Spartans were awarded a free-kick however despite the playmaker clearing the wall, the ball also flew over the crossbar too.
With the game entering the final five minutes of a fairly uneventful first half, the deadlock was broken – and it was a goal for the visitors.
Jordan Tapping went on a darting run to the bye-line. He whipped in a tasty low cross that saw Blair Henderson nip in front of Stuart Carswell only for the shot to rattle the bar. However, it was Cammy Russell who was first to react and swooped like a seagull on chips to send the ball home, off the underside of bar which was still feeling the aftershocks of being smacked by Hendo’s hit.
The half time team talks were to take a different shape with just two minutes to go. A corner from Rhys Armstrong saw Ayrton Sonkur rush to the front post and whilst the ball eluded the Spartans defender, it bounced of the unsuspecting Stuart Carswell’s napper and into his own net.
It was almost a third moments later when Jamie Dishington’s touch in the box fell to Blair Henderson who found the net, but also the lino’s flag aloft.
HT: Clyde 0-2 The Spartans
The half time interval saw the surface well watered to offer that extra bit of zip. It also offered the unfortunate souls involved in the crossbar challenge a mighty fine soaking too as the sprinklers popped up and offered a surprise!
Anyhoo, back to the game and Heraghty had to look sharp to get down low to deny a home side an opportunity to halve the deficit.
A corner for Clyde saw a looping header from Liam Scullion just drag itself away from the goal frame at the latest of stages as Spartans started to live on the edge.
On the hour mark another free kick for the North Edinburgh tourists gave Cammy Russell an opportunity to test out his range. That wasn’t the concern and the accuracy was but a yard away from finding it’s intended destination.
Russell drew warm applause from the travelling Spartan Army faithful as he made way for Gavin Morrison with twenty to go.
Jacques Heraghty then required the magic sponge after he bravely dived at the feet of Fraser Malcolm at his near post as the Spartans goal frame lived a charmed life.
When Ayrton Sonkur stretched out his telescopic legs to win the ball in a 50-50 in the middle of his own half, the reaction of him and his colleagues was one of the surprise when the Ref blew for a foul.
Ross Forbes floated in the free-kick box and Peter Grant was to be the beneficiary in the box, headed beyond Heraghty to set up a grandstand finale. Ok, ‘grandstand’ perhaps overselling it slight perhaps.
Spartans played some keep-ball before Jamie Dishington was put into acres of space up the line. James Craigen found himself in the Clyde penalty area and on the end of the cross. His first effort was punched back into his path however as he adjusted himself for the rebound, his shot was blocked and hoofed to safety.
A double change as the clock ticked every closer to the 90 saw Sean Brown and Sam Jones replace Henderson and Armstrong.
One final aerial assault by the hosts resulted in the ball going high, wide and not overly handsomely beyond Heraghty’s sticks and with that, the game was done.
FT: Clyde FC 1-2 The Spartans
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Mikey Allan
| Date: | 11/01/25 |
|---|---|
| Opponent: | Stirling Albion |
| Venue: | Forthbank Stadium |
| Competition: | SPFL 2 |
| Kick off: | 3.00pm |
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