Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

SPFL Trust Trophy: Spartans take on Rangers B

Monday, July 31st, 2023

The Spartans move on from their impressive Viaplay Cup showing on Tuesday night when they turn their attentions to the SPFL Trust Trophy 1st Round clash against Rangers B at Ainslie Park.

There’s a feeling of déjà vu about the fixture, with the sides having met in the same round of the tournament early last season.

Of course, the sides have been familiar acquaintances over the last two Lowland League campaigns, having met on four occasions during that period.

Last time out saw Douglas Samuel’s men record a vital 3-1 victory at home as Rangers B first footed North Edinburgh early in January.  Cammy Russell, Jordan Tapping and Rhys Armstrong on the scoresheet that evening, kicking off what was set to be the biggest year in the club’s 73 year history.

Our visitors have had three games inside the last week in prep for tonight’s tie. 

David McCallum’s youngsters opened up their summer with a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Belgian outfit OH Leuven before recording a 3-0 win over Everton in midweek.  At the weekend, they defeated Burnley u21s 5-3 at the Rangers Training Centre, including a brace for Alex Lowry from the spot.

It was Lowry who scored the winner in this fixture last season, an impressive free-kick from 25 yards.

Kick-off at Ainslie Park is 7.45pm. Tickets can be either purchased in advance via Fanbase or supporters can pay at the gate.

Parking directly at the ground will be limited / unlikely. There is on street parking nearby along with neighbouring Morrison’s where you could get your messages before or after the game whilst you are parked there.

Season tickets are NOT valid for SPFL Trust Trophy fixtures.

Unfortunately, the City of Edinburgh Council have yet to approve the continued use of the Newtown Roofing & Building stand following the expiration of the temporary safety certificate issued for last season’s promotion winning play-off games.  We remain hugely frustrated.

We highly recommend any supporters who wish to sit in the stand, which accommodates 504 spectators, to arrive early.

On a more positive note, we have a signed off capacity of 3500 excluding the stand which will offer sufficient space for all spectators coming along.

Coming to Ainslie Park for the first time? Here’s our handy guide.

Viaplay Cup: Thistle sting Spartans with late penalty

Saturday, July 29th, 2023

Blair Henderson made it four goals in four Viaplay Cup ties to get Spartans back on level terms against Partick Thistle however  it was a late penalty for the hosts that saw the men from Maryhill progress to the last 16.

Spartans arrived at Firhill Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an admirable position of being in the hunt for progression in the SPFL League Cup tournament, with the winner of this final round of fixtures tie set to have their name in the hat at full time. 

The hosts looked to use their home advantage in a game that had the floodlights on for kick-off, such is summer football in Scotland. 

The home faithful in the stands were on their feet early on following an incident in the Spartans box that saw one of their favourites hit the deck. 

With the man in the middle unimpressed, play raged on and from the Spartans counter, Jamie Dishington’s pace proved a problem and he was clattered to the ground. 

The subsequent free kick from Rhys Armstrong was sent to the back post and despite Jordan Tapping trying his best to control, it went behind for the bye-kick. 

Almost midway through the half, there was a caution dished out to James Craigen, a former favourite around these parts, after the Ref adjudged the Spartans man to have transgressed on the edge of his own box. It was a harsh booking which unfortunately was the prove costly as the afternoon unfolded.

Possibly one of the tackles of the tournament so far saw Gavin Morrison put in a likely goal stopping, ball winning sliding tackle deep inside his own penalty area.

If the hosts came close at one end, lady luck was on their side at the opposite when Jamie Dishington saw the keeper slightly off his line.

His delicate chip agonisingly hit the bar and as Blair Henderson steady himself for the rebound, last ditch defending by Milne saw the ball sent flying behind for a corner.

HT: Partick Thistle 0-0 The Spartans 

The second half was just six minutes old when Partick took the lead.  James Lyon’s effort hit the post before coming back along the line and finally nestling in the net.

Much of the second half was played out under a blanket of blue sky, which was welcomed following the biblical first half shower. 

Partick, who finished last season in 4th spot in the Championship, were keen to stroke the ball around in front of a home support who had found their voice following the opener.

With ten minutes left, the travelling Spartan Army support were up on their feet after Blair Henderson pounced in the box and sidefooted home from 14 yards to bring the SPFL 2 side back on level terms.

The outcome of Group B’s contribution to the last 16 draw continued to remain in the balance following Henderson’s equaliser and the destination of the match points looked set to be decided by spot kicks as the game entered its dying stages.

Alas, it was penalty singular that decided the outcome of the tie with just two minutes left.

A shot inside the Spartans box appeared to hit the arm of James Craigen as it hurtled toward goal and as the Partick players appealed, Referee Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot.

Before the kick could take place, Craigen trundled back to the sheds after receiving his second yellow of the afternoon.

Up stepped Brian Graham and despite Blair Carswell guessing correctly, the pace on the penalty proved to be too much and with that, the tie was won.

FT: Partick Thistle 2-1 The Spartans

Viaplay Cup: Denholm relishing Firhill showdown for shot at Last 16

Friday, July 28th, 2023

The Spartans enter the final weekend of the Viaplay Cup Group B stage in what’s been dubbed a ‘Winner Takes All’ encounter with Championship side Partick Thistle with the winners potentially in line for a place in the last 16.

Summer signing Danny Denholm, who made the move from Stirling Albion, is no stranger to playing in crucial clashes and the seasoned campaigner is delighted by the way his new club have got their competitive season off the ground.

Ahead of trip west on Saturday, the 32 year old winger said,  “The club’s got a winning mentality from last season and high expectations but you look at the group on paper and it’s a tough group.

“Dundee United and Partick will be two teams expected to be battling it out at the top of the Championship and you see other groups who would on the face of it seem a bit weaker.

“To go into the last day against Partick and to be still in with a chance of progressing from the group stages is a massive thing for the club. It’s a big ask, but we’d handled ourselves well so far in the games we’ve played.”

Douglas Samuel’s Spartans go into the crunch tie on merit and have gained plaudits from wide and far as the North Edinburgh side get ready for their inaugural season in SPFL 2.

Denholm, a former Broughton High School pupil added, “I think on merit is an understatement to be honest.  Against Falkirk, if we’d taken that point we’d have gone into Saturday’s game outright leaders and were just two minutes away from doing so and that’s without thinking about a bonus point. 

“Wednesday night was another great win for us.  Peterhead was a great test for us and was always going to be.  Some of the phases of play the lads put together were tremendous, the goals were worked hard for and being able to see it out was crucial too.

“It’s not all going to be lovely football this season.  I’ve been there long enough to know there’ll be a lot of games where you’ve just got to dig in and that’s how you become successful in league 2 however there were lots of positives to take from Peterhead – and the other two games against full time opposition too.”

The victory at Balmoor Stadium in midweek against fellow SPLF 2 opponents was, Denholm noted, a benchmark for the season ahead:

“Don’t get me wrong, there are teams in the league that will want to stroke the ball around and play different styles, but there’s also teams who take that more direct approach and you have to be able to deal with that.

“A lot of the time its about being pragmatic and we’ll need to do that at times, that’s absolutely fine.  I was at Stirling Albion last season and we probably didn’t play the most attractive football but we found a way to win.  Teams will do that in the league and we might have to revert to it at times even though it’s not ideal but we’ll just have to try to find a way to win and that’s what we did on Wednesday night as well which is important.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, would winning ugly suit the seasoned SPFL campaigner?

“Win any way you want, I’m happy.  We can win playing fast flowing football, I don’t mind.  But if we win, what a huge achievement it would be for this club.  Obviously we are massive underdogs but to go through from this group would be huge. 

“What a year it has been for Spartans.  I’ve only experienced the last three or four weeks, but for most of the boys in the changing room, what a time it’s been for them.  So let’s win whatever way we can on Saturday.”

Match Day Info: Supporters will be located in the Jackie Husband Stand, section 8 & 9.

Prices for tickets are as follows:

Away Supporters

Adult – £15, Concessions – £10, Under 16’s – £5

Tickets can be purchased online via the link here

Tickets will NOT be available to purchase at our ticket booth on match days.

Viaplay Cup: Win on the road sets up final day Firhill showdown

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Goals from Blair Henderson and Cammy Russell saw The Spartans earn full points on the road at Peterhead to set up an interesting Viaplay Cup Group B finale at Firhill on Saturday.

Gaffer Douglas Samuel made changes to the side that lost out narrowly to Falkirk and reverted back to the starting XI that defeated Dundee United on the opening day of the tournament.

It was the first meeting between the clubs and the sides made their way out in front of 678 supporters inside Balmoor Stadium which was under a blanket of crisp blue summer evening sky. 

The early exchanges saw the ball get some welly but it was in the 8th minute as Spartans stroked the ball across the pristine Peterhead carpet that the visitors took the lead.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match James Craigen whipped in a telling low cross deep into the home box and it was Blair Henderson who was hovering with intent at the back post to bravely slide the ball home, colliding with the post in the process. 

Unsurprisingly, Spartans were having to do some defending of their own as Peterhead pressed for an quick equaliser. 

Jordan Tapping’s telling tackle at the back saw the talismanic defender slide in and thwart any danger requiring the assistance of his keeper. 

A neat run by James Craigen through the middle of the park allowed him space to he send the ball into the path of Cammy Russell however the final ball was elusive and snapped up by the keeper. 

Cammy Russell then went on the offensive into the Peterhead box, cut inside, shaped up and as he looked to curl one into the bottom corner, a leg at the end of a blue sock appeared and sent the ball over the bar for a corner.

Then, on the stroke of half time, Blair Carswell had to look lively to double fist a fierce effort from inside the box and with that, the sides headed to the sheds.

HT: Peterhead 0-1 The Spartans 

The pies had barely been chomped and the sun had begun its journey behind the main stand when Peterhead pressure turned into an equaliser just five minutes into the second half.

A Kieran Shanks low drive from 20 yards through a plethora of players evaded Blair Carswell and the ball hit the back of the net. 

That set back was to be a short lived one and Spartans were back in front just nine minutes later. 

Rhys Armstrong with the delivery back across the box where Cammy Russell was waiting and even under a heavy challenge, he was able to bulge the back of the net.

The rest of the second half largely played out with both teams cancelling each other out as they sought to add to their scoresheets 

Finally, after six agonisingly long minutes of injury time, the Referee blew one final time and Spartans headed back to Edinburgh with the points in the bag. 

FT: Peterhead 1-2 The Spartans 

Malt & Hops Man of the Match: James Craigen.

Viaplay Cup: Skipper sees Peterhead challenge as ‘key marker’ for season ahead

Monday, July 24th, 2023

The Spartans are back in action on Wednesday evening when they head up the A90 to continue their Viaplay Cup campaign at Peterhead (7.45pm KO).

Following back to back home fixtures against Dundee United and Falkirk, it’s the first of two away days this week and with the table having everything to play for at the half way stage, Douglas Samuel’s side head North looking to pick up vital points on the road.

It will be the first time the two teams have met and they will be well acquainted with each other by then end of the season, with a quartet of fixtures scheduled in the SPFL 2 diary.

After dogged displays against a pair of full time opponents, the Gaffer will be looking to further utilise his squad for the trip to Balmoor Stadium.

The hosts will be without player/manager Ryan Strachan who picked up a red card at Tannadice on Saturday in their 4-0 defeat and they will be out to record their first win of the group stages after suffering an agonising 9-10 shoot-out defeat at home against Partick Thistle in Match Day 1.

A familiar face in the host’s side is Connor Duthie who came to Spartans on a short term loan from Hibs in 2015-16.

For Club Captain Kevin Waugh, the tie is perhaps the most crucial clash of Group B for his side.

“That will put a marker down.  It’ll be the biggest test out of the group games so far in terms of our preparation for life in SPFL 2.  It’s fine getting yourself up for games against teams like Dundee United and Falkirk at home when there’s a big crowd, but can we roll our sleeves up and put in the same kind of performance in our bread and butter matches? 

“We’re going to have to empty our tanks the same way as we did against Dundee United when we are against anyone in League 2.  There’s absolutely no ‘gimmes’ in that league, it’s well known for being like that.

“Wednesday night will be interesting and we are all looking forward to it.  We all want to play and all want to win.  As I’ve said before, we aren’t there to make up the numbers, we’re ambitious and the way the results have gone in the games so far, there’s so much still to play for.

“We’ve got three points in the group and who says we can’t win the last two and potentially get through?.”

Useful Match Day info from our hosts:

There is car parking located at the front of Balmoor Stadium

Tickets can be purchased via the link below or from our ticket office which will be open before the match, there are NO cash turnstiles.

Ticket link: https://www.peterheadfc.co.uk/online-tickets/

Our stadium bar will be open for refreshments.

Our pie hut located within the ground is CASH only.

If you have any other enquiries please contact the club office on 01779 478256.

Viaplay Cup: Henderson strikes back but Bairns sneak win at the death

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

The Spartans came within three minutes of taking SPFL 1 outfit Falkirk to a spot-kick finish in their second outing in the Viaplay Cup Group B stages.

After an opening day victory over Championship outfit Dundee United, there were four changes in Dougie Samuel’s line-up with Danny Denholm, Ayrton Sonkur and Sam Newman in the starting XI.

The match kicked-off with the summer sun setting over North Edinburgh and the novel attraction of supporters in the stand shielding their eyes as the golden globe dipped beyond the neighbouring flats.

It was the visitors, in their first competitive game of the season, who came out the traps quickly.  So much so that after just six minutes, they took the lead.   A corner whipped into the heart of the home penalty box found Tom Lang who delivered an unstoppable header that whizzed past Blair Carswell in the net.

Before play could resume, the young Spartans support in the stand unveiled their handy work in the shape of a banner showing their gratitude for last season’s skipper Ian McFarland who hung up his boots following guiding the team to promotion.

Spartans looked to get back into the game at the earliest opportunity.  Ayrton Sonkur sent a free-kick long into the box, only for Blair Henderson to be pinged by Referee Williams.

Sonkur was to be Spartans saviour shortly after when his telescopic legs were extended to prevent a blistering shot from travelling any further to trouble Carswell.

Cammy Russell sent in an inviting corner, teasing for a head to connect, only for Sam Long to come out and flap, miss and in turn deceive everyone, allowing the ball to go behind for a goal kick.

HT: The Spartans 1-2 Falkirk

A change at the break saw Bradley Whyte replaced by Rhys Armstrong, offering fresh legs for the second spell.

Spartans start to the half was akin to the visitors opening spell in the first as they went on the offensive from the off.  Nice attacking play down the flank saw James Craigen whip in a decent cross, which was met by Long and Lang who collided with each other as Blair Henderson looked to swoop on any spills.

Cometh the hour, cometh the talismanic striker Blair Henderson.  Rhys Armstrong launched a free-kick long into the box, keeper Long came out once again to collect however he failed to keep hold of the ball.  In his valiant attempt to retrieve it, he could only collide with Kieran Watson.  The ball broke free to Blair Henderson who swooped on it like a seagull on chips and added the salt and sauce for the Ainslie Park side by popping into the onion bag.

With twenty to go, there was a trio of home changes, with Sam Jones, Sean Brown and Gavin Morrison entering the fray with Denholm, Henderson and Dishington taking well earned rests.

Blair Carswell, a relative by-stander in the second half, was called upon to make a tremendous stop from close range after the break of the ball benefitted Ola Lawal but Carswell’s strong palm pushed it away.

A final change gave Jordan Tapping a chance to stretch the legs with James Craigen heading to the technical area.

Then, with a potential penalty shoot out decider on the horizon, the visitors struck what turned out to be the killer blow.

Patient build up play by the visitors saw the ball launch into the box, Ross MacIver took a touch – his initial starting position in comparison to the home defence up for some debate – it fell to Alfie Agyeman who collided with Jordan Tapping only for MacIver to benefit from the being in the right place at the right time to slide the ball beyond Carswell and take full points for the Bairns.

FT: The Spartans 2-1 Falkirk

Lots of positives to take out the game, the second against full time opposition in a few days and time to rest, recover and regroup ahead of the trip to Peterhead next Wednesday.

Team: Carswell, Watson, Newman, Waugh (c), Sonkur, Whyte (Armstrong 45), Dishington (Morrison 70), Craigen (Tapping 83), Henderson (S Brown 70), Denholm (Jones 70), Russell. Subs (Not Used) A Brown, B Lamont, A Meek, M Allan.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell

Attendance: 874