The Spartans get back on Lowland League duty this weekend as they welcome Berwick Rangers to Ainslie Park.

This is the third season the sides have met in the League since the Shielfield side moved into the competition in 2019, with Spartans having recorded two narrow 1-0 wins, both at Ainslie Park in each of the Covid-curtailed campaigns.

Of course, the sides have had a rich history of competition in Cup competitions over the years, in the City Cup, King Cup Finals along with the incredible 5^th Round Scottish Cup encounters between the sides in 2014/15 where some 1,000 Spartan Army supporters made the cross-border trip for a midweek replay following a dramatic draw at Ainslie Park.

One player who has locked horns with the Shielfield side on a number of occasions over the years is Alan Brown.  ‘Hovie’ clocked up his 250^th Spartans appearance last week and whilst the result didn’t befit the moment, the stalwart was keen to get back on the paddock and a return to winning ways.

“Whilst we are clearly disappointed to be out of the Scottish Cup, there’s plenty of reasons of us all to be optimistic about how we’ve started the season.  It’s a congested first couple of months, we’ve played 14 games in only 10 weeks and combined that with injuries and suspensions we still remain just four points from top spot with so many twists and turns ahead of us.”

“We need to be maximising our home advantage and picking up all three points every time – that’s important to us as a group – and that’s what we will be out to do against Berwick. If you want to progress in this league, you have to do well at home and hopefully a win on Saturday will be the catalyst behind kicking off a winning streak.

“Obviously Berwick have the same ambitions as us this season so it’s another tough test for us however we can extend our gap over one of our fellow challengers with a win on Saturday. 

“Like a number of us, I watched Berwick on the telly the other night and they’ve made some good signings this season, just like ourselves.  The Lowland League has improved so much. Every team has players in their squads where some will think “Oh, how did they get him?”.  Berwick for example have Alex Harris who was at Hibs then Edinburgh City last year and scored on Monday so he’ll be someone we’ll need to keep an eye on during the game.

“But we’ve of course got our own threats and new players that have come in too.  Cammy Russell and Jack Newman for example have joined us in the last couple of weeks with both having played at a higher level.  We’ve got nothing to fear and we need to dictate the tempo of the game on our terms.”

Kick-off is 3pm.  Tickets available in advance via the Fanbase app on your smartphone, or pay at the gate.

The Spartans have signed Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Newman on a short term loan.

Newman, a Scotland Under 18 Internationalist, joins from the Arabs and will be with us until January 2022.

The 6ft 2in goalkeeper will be reunited with fellow Tangerine teenager Lennon Walker.

The Spartans kick-off their Road to Hampden with a 1^st Round tie against Lowland League opponents Gala Fairydean Rovers at Ainslie Park on Saturday.

It’s the first time the sides have met in the second oldest competition in association football history although they locked horns in the Borders at the end of July when Spartans ran out 0-4 winners on the night.

Since then, both sides have had a mixed bag of fortunes and the cup tie offers a chance to put their league campaign temporarily to the side for a shot at progressing in a trophy that Dougie Samuel’s side are no strangers at causing an upset or two along the way.

Into the squad for the tie is new recruit Cammy Russell following his move from Kelty Hearts as Spartans add further firepower to their armoury.  The Gaffer has had his eye on the striker for some time and will be a welcome addition to the side.

Kick-off is 3pm.  If the sides are level after 90 minutes, there will be a replay at Netherdale to decide the outcome.

Dougie Samuel has bolstered his Spartans squad ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against Gala Fairydean Rovers by welcoming Kelty Hearts Cammy Russell to Ainslie Park.

The 23-year-old, who has previously turned out for Airdrieonians and East Kilbride, Russell joins from the Fife side and the Gaffer is looking forward to seeing the striker deliver.

Samuel said, “I’m delighted to bring Cammy on board, he’s someone we’ve been tracking and wanted for some time.

“With recent injuries, Blair Atkinson taking a break from football and Scott McCrory-Irving moving on, it was important to add to the squad. Cammy is someone who we hope can bring goals to the team and penetration at the top of end of the pitch. He’s also a great age & fit for our Club.”

Russell, who scored for Kelty in the play-offs against Brechin last season, said of the move, “I’m excited to be joining Spartans, at this time I feel like it was the perfect fit for me.

“The facilities, the investments the club have made are really exciting and the manager was an important factor in me coming.

“Hopefully we can be challenging at the top end of the table when the end of the season comes round.”

It’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated North Edinburgh derbies since the sides first met following Civil’s introduction to the Lowland League in 2016, as all roads lead to Muirhouse on Saturday afternoon.

In what will be the ninth meeting of the local sides in the Pyramid Competition, Dougie Samuel and Gary Jardine will be working on their last minute tactics, pondering on their moves like Chess Masters eyeing up their opponents Pawns as they seek to earn the early bragging rights.

It’s be an intriguing start to the season for both sides who find themselves sitting in joint third place, on the same number of points and goal difference, but with the hosts having scored marginally more times to nudge ahead on the roster.

Spartans got back to winning ways on Tuesday night with Malt and Hops Man of the Match Ian McFarland the catalyst being the victory over Cumbernauld Colts.  The talismanic no-nonsense midfielder was in confident mood as he looked ahead to the game.

“The win during the week definitely sets us in good stead ahead of Saturday. It’s what we needed, especially going into such a big game against Civil. 

“I know there’s always talk about bragging rights and such like, but I genuinely think moving up the league is far more important than any of that chat if I’m honest and of course, a win on Saturday would see us leapfrog Civil too.  However, there’s no doubt it will be very tough.  Civil are flying just now and are up there on merit so it sets it up for a great game.”

With a recent injury to star stopper Blair Carswell along with suspensions and unavailability, the previous few games have seen several changes in personnel on the pitch however the return of key players was particularly encouraging for ‘Subo’.

“It’ll be also be good to have Bolo back in the side and of course Sam Jones was playing on Tuesday after his time out so he’ll be sharper for Saturday as a result.  Hopefully big Dan (Baur) will be in with a shout for a spot in the squad following his time on the treatment table too.  Having a near full squad to choose from after such a gruelling run of games will no doubt be a headache for the Gaffer, but it also creates competition for places within the bunch of lads too.”

It’ll be a rare outing on a grass paddock for the Spartans side, but its not something McFarland has offered much thought about.

“I think for the some of the older boys in the side they enjoy playing on the grass a bit more – kind of traditional feel I guess –  but to be honest, it’s the first North Edinburgh derby of the season – I’d happily play it on the surface of the moon and as long as you get win, it doesn’t matter what you play on.”

Kick-off at Christie Gillies Park is at 3pm.  Admission Prices are £7 adults and Under 14s are free with a paying adult. Like ourselves, you can purchase tickets for the game via the Fanbase app on your smartphone, or you can still pay at the gate.