Spectators came out on a lovely day in North Edinburgh to watch Civil and Spartans go head to head in the local derby and it was a game of as many twists and turns as you’d see on a snakes and ladders board that unfolded.

Both sides looked to stamp their early authority on proceedings.  Strollers had a corner kick which wasn’t overly well executed offering Jamie Dishington the opportunity to go on the counter-attack however the charge of the Spartans brigade fizzled out before it could trouble the home keeper.

Just eight minutes on the clock and the hosts took the lead. A free-kick into the box saw Blair Carswell come to collect only for him to be beaten on the edge of his penalty area by a header that went into the empty net.

There was almost a prompt equaliser as Sean Brown looks to capitalise on a defensive lapse but keeper saved well from the Spartans striker.

A lengthy halt to proceedings saw Spartans forced into a change in the 22^nd minute when Jordan Tapping had to be assisted from the field after injuring himself and he was replaced by Gregor Woods.

A yellow for Kieran Watson offered Civil a free-kick 20 yards out but not only did it clear the defensive wall, but Carswell’s crossbar too.

Jamie Dishington found himself with the ball at his feet inside the box but he just couldn’t dig it out from underneath his laces to trouble the home goal as Spartans pressed for an equaliser.

Blair Carswell was once against called upon just before the half time interval to pull off a fine one handed save.

HT: Civil Service Strollers 1-0 The Spartans

An early robust challenge by Ian McFarland in front of the dug outs saw the second half start with the passion one would expect in a local derby.  Unfortunately for the Spartans man it was deemed to be unhelpful by the match official who penalised him for his troubles.

Blair Henderson was a crossbar width away from pulling his side level when he connected with a Rhys Armstrong corner kick.

A double change on the hour saw Cammy Russell and Jamie Penker replace Ian McFarland and Sean Brown.

Neat play in the middle of the field from Rhys Armstrong saw him lay off to Jamie Penker and it was almost the ideal introduction but for the save from the keeper.

With 65 minutes on the clock, it was the home side who were to score next.  The ball fortuitously ricocheting off a static Faye who then took off before forcing Blair Carswell into a tremendous initial stop however the rebound was sent low and hard into the bottom corner despite the goalie’s second attempt to keep it out.

Just five minutes later, Spartans halved the deficit.  A cross into the box was popped into the path of Blair Henderson courtesy of a stray defensive header and the acrobatic hit man netted with an overhead kick to offer his side an avenue back into the game.

Spartans pressed for an equaliser.  Often it was met with a transgression, ensuring the Referee would have been up late completing his bookings returns.

A free-kick deep into the box from Rhys Armstrong in the 90^th minute invited a touch or nudge however there were no takers and with that, the game, like the chance, went out a-begging.

FT: Civil Service Strollers 2-1 The Spartans

A sensational second half comeback by Spartans, led by a Mikey Allan equaliser saw them overturn a deficit at the break to progress into the Scottish Cup 2nd Round with a 1-3 win over Clydebank at Holm Park.

Ahead of kick-off, the crowd of 555 showed their respects with a minute silence, replicated in almost every ground across the country.

Hosts Clydebank came into the tie looking to build on last season’s impressive Scottish Cup run whilst Spartans, in their 70^th tie in the competition, sought to be make it into the second round draw for the first time in three years.

The slightly unnerving sight and sound of jumbo jets flying over the Holm Park ground was a new experience for the visitors, with one call on social media to suggest it was definitely a day for playing on the wing.

The home crowd were in fine voice and they were left wondering how they didn’t take a 10^th minute lead when Blair Carswell pulled off an excellent one-handed stop – one of several during the course of the tie – before the subsequent rebound went over the bar.

Sam Jones required treatment shortly after when he was crudely taken out in the middle of the field, causing some concern for the talented playmaker.  However, following treatment, he was back on his feet.

Jamie Dishington managed to get behind the home defence however he could only watch on as his effort was saved by the Bankies keeper who’s jersey number of 20 was one more than his age.

A theatrical dive in the box by Bankies 19 saw him receive a ticket from the Referee for his troubles.

Clydebank’s recent Scottish Cup ties have seen the luck of the draw handing them home ties and lady luck looked to be shining on them once again when they took the lead on the half hour mark.

The effort towards goal taking a deflection and evading the stranded Carswell and the home crowd went wild.

A tremendous burst of pace down the line by Alan Brown saw him put in a cross into the box however it had just too much air in it and the ball whizzed past Cammy Russell’s nose.

Half Time: Clydebank FC 1-0 The Spartans

Spartans looked to get back on level terms from the restart and Cammy Russell was desperately close when his attempt caught the trailing boot of the home keeper which slowed down it’s passage to goal and the ball was hoofed to safety.

At the other end, the hosts were keen to double their advantage and once again it was a herculean effort from Blair Carswell to pull off another sensational stop.

Spartans made a double substitution in the 65^th minute with Ian McFarland and Sean Brown replacing Kieran Watson and Cammy Russell.

With twenty minutes left on the clock, it was all square.

A Rhys Armstrong free-kick was lofted towards the edge of the box and Mikey Allan leaped like a salmon heading up stream to out-jump the keeper to nod into the empty net.

It didn’t take long before the pendulum swung and the visitors going in front.

Whilst the Clydebank defence called for offside, Blair Henderson raced to the bye-line before cutting the ball across the box to pick out the un-marked Sam Jones who drilled low into the onion bag.

Two goals in four chaotic minutes from a Spartans side who’d found it tough to break down their West of Scotland opponents saw the Ainslie Park outfit with their noses finally in front. 

Clydebank huffed and puffed, they filed forward but gargantuan performances from Jordan Tapping, Kevin Waugh et al at the back kept the home attack at bay.  Oh, and the post too…

Calum Burns was next to come off the bench with the game entering its final five minutes replacing the Malt and Hops Man of the Match Rhys Armstrong.

Then, with the game entering injury time, Jamie Dishington put further light between the sides and ensured it was Spartans’ name heading into the big jug of balls for Sunday evening’s draw.

Some neat one touch play in midfield saw the ball played into the path of Dishington who kept his composure and slid it under the keeper and into the bottom corner causing scenes on the away bench and everyone bar Blair Carswell racing to the corner flag to join in the celebrations.

FT: Clydebank FC 1-3 The Spartans