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Author: Alan Clark
Hearts lift cup at Ainslie Park
Brave Spartans were left heartbroken as they lost out on the Ronnie Swan Cup 8-7 on penalties to Heart of Midlothian on Friday night (writes ALAN CLARK).
The East of Scotland league side had been leading throughout the game and were 4-2 to the good with just a couple of minutes remaining, however Hearts scored a quick-fire double to take the friendly match to a shoot-out.
Jack Beesley gave Spartans the lead with a deft chip before Mark Whatley doubled the home side’s lead after 20 minutes with a scissor-kick from the edge of the area.
Scottish Premier League side Hearts responded just before half-time through Gordon Smith, however Spartans restored their two-goal advantage through Andy Martin early in the second half. Returning Jambo Ryan Stevenson made things interesting at 3-2, as Sean Wringe then looked to have made the cup safe for Spartans.
There was more drama to come however as substitute Mehdi Taouil unleashed a 30-yard rocket into the top corner with minutes to go, which was followed by a last-minute leveller from fellow sub Sam Nicholson. After both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicolson scored the cup-winning penalty.
Due to the international break, Hearts boss John McGlynn agreed to take part in the memorial match for Ronnie Swan and the Scottish Cup holders brought a strong squad along to Ainslie Park, including first-team regulars Andrew Driver, Jamie MacDonald and Ryan Stevenson.
The game started evenly with both sides attempting to find their feet but the hosts made the breakthrough after ten minutes. Jordan Finnie spotted Jack Beesley’s run and fed him the ball, with the Spartans midfielder using his first touch to chip Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald beautifully – much to the delight of the home crowd.
The Tynecastle outfit looked for a quick reply as they won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Ukrainian defender Denis Prychyenko let fly but his effort went wide of the post by three yards.
The non-league side put themselves even further in front just ten minutes after the opener, Neil McCuish’s scissor-kick every bit as impressive as Beesley’s chip. The ball bounced on the left side of ‘the D’ and McCuish took a gamble by launching his whole body at the ball, which looped over MacDonald and into the inside of the side-netting. Spartans were in dreamland.
Dale Carrick attempted a copy-cat of McCuish’s wonder strike but the Hearts forward watched as his effort went narrowly wide of the post. McGlynn’s side were looking more interested in the game after 35 minutes and almost got a goal back, Ryan Stevenson’s cross almost being turned in by Spartans no. 2 Danny O’Donnell.
Jason Holt was next up to go close for Hearts as he made some space for himself in the box before sending his low drive into Ross Gilpin, who did well to use his legs save to his right. Just as Dougie Samuel thought Spartans would have a 2-0 half-time lead, striker Gordon Smith pulled a goal back for Hearts, poking the ball home from six yards after a ping-pong event in the box.
Samuel didn’t have long to wait to see his side’s two-goal league restored however, the 54th minute seeing Spartans make it 3-1. Chris Anderson weighed his through ball perfectly for Andy Martin, who hit his shot across Macdonald’s goal and into the far corner.
After 70 minutes, Spartans were believing it could be their night after all, as they smacked the bar with a ferocious drive from the edge of the area. MacDonald did well to palm it onto the bar, as it looked like it was heading for the top corner.
With less than ten minutes to go, ex-Ipswich Town forward Stevenson got his name on the score sheet with a powerful shot from inside the area, however Spartans delighted their punters further by making it 4-2 a matter of seconds later. It was Anderson who was the supplier again as a great move culminated in the midfielder going past MacDonald, leaving him helpless as Sean Wringe beat a defender to squeeze home the fourth into an empty net.
You could be forgiven for thinking that was that, but Hearts had other things in mind. Substitute and former Kilmarnock winger Mehdi Taouil took matters into his own feet as it were, as he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and thumped home high into the keeper’s left-hand corner. With less than two minutes to play, this goal made Spartans sweat but rejuvenated Hearts and resulted in Sam Nicolson bundling home in the last kick of the game to make it an astonishing 4-4.
The game was to be decided by penalties and after both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicholson scored the cup-winning penalty. Hearts were presented with the Ronnie Swan trophy in front of the main stand at the end of an enthralling friendly bout in front of 1,200 fans.
SPARTANS: Ross Gilpin, Danny O’Donnell, Gary Cenerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Neil McCuish, Robbie Manson ©, Jack Beesley, Mark Whatley, Jordan Finnie, Chris Anderson, Donal Henretty. Subs: Sean Wringe, Keith McLeod, John Grant, Andy Martin, Willie Bremner, Peter Mair, Chris Flockhart.
HEARTS: Jamie MacDonald, Dylan McGowan ©, Kevin McHattie, Denis Prychyenko, Brad McKay, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Walker, Jason Holt, Gordon Smith, Dale Carrick, Andrew Driver. Subs: Mehdi Taouil, Jack Hamilton, Callum Paterson, Callum Tappin, Scott Robinson, Billy King, Adam King, Sam Nicholson.
Spartans boss has high hopes for season
Having taken over from long-serving co-managers Sam Lynch and Mike Lawson, Spartans boss Douglas Samuel is keen to re-claim the league title for the club as well as go on another famous Scottish Cup run (writes Alan Clark). In this exclusive interview with North Edinburgh News, Samuel also discusses the young element of the new Spartans squad and entering the SFL in the future.
Stirling University, who have recruited ex-Falkirk manager Eddie May as boss, pipped Spartans to the league championship on goal difference on the last day of the season and Samuel has admitted wrestling the title back is one of the priorities he has as manager.
He said: “The short term goal is to win the title back. I believe we are capable of doing so. However, two or three other club managers will be thinking and feeling exactly the same way.”
The Ainslie Park side are going through a transition and have started blooding more youngsters in the first-team. Samuel explained: “I believe our new squad has a good combination of established players with a great pedigree and proven track record mixed with younger players with great potential; however, it’s also fair to say that it’s a work in progress.
“It’s a new squad and the start of a new era of major transition for the football club on and off the park. From last year’s squad, five experienced players have moved on. Everyone in the group has a real desire to do well, to restore the club to its former glories.
“The immediate test is to integrate our new signings, to create a real sense of togetherness and understanding around how we would like to play throughout the group. I know from past experience that both of these things take time to develop and achieve.”
After a trophy-less season Samuel is desperate to win silverware in his debut in the Spartans’ dugout, and sees a huge benefit from a Scottish Cup run. He added: “Success for us will come in various shapes and forms. Clearly after a season when the team didn’t win a single trophy we are desperate to win something this coming season. A Scottish Cup run would give everyone a huge lift at the start of our journey.”
Samuel, who is also Development Manager at the club’s Community Football Academy, is looking at his squad’s development as well as the obvious craving for success through silverware. He commented: “If, by the end of the season, we have improved as a group and each player has developed and improved as a player then that would represent real progress and success. Crucially, it’s also something we can control. Whether or not that results in silverware, time will tell.”
The former Edinburgh University boss, who spent nine years with the club, believes the proposed Highland and Lowland league – which would create a route into senior league football – would be a great thing for the game and his club.
He said: “A pyramid system would be great for Scottish football. As a club we would relish the opportunity of playing our way into the Scottish Football League. Our current focus is on meeting short term goals but with one eye on the future too.
“For example, the majority of our new signings are young players starting off their careers with what we hope will be their best years in front of them. This season is the start of a transition, however, the goal remains to win football matches and see where that takes us in terms of winning silverware.”
Spartans defeated by Blue Brazil
Cowdenbeath inflicted a second home defeat in a row on Spartans on Tuesday night as they ran out 2-1 winners in the pre-season friendly at Ainslie Park (writes Alan Clark).
Spartans had lost 2-1 to Third Division Annan Athletic on Saturday afternoon and succumbed to another Scottish Football League club – this time the Blue Brazil from the First Division.
It was Spartans last home friendly of pre-season while Cowdenbeath will be delighted to win their last preparation match before the serious stuff begins at the weekend when they take on Alloa Athletic in the Ramsdens Cup.
Michael Fleming won it with superb volley in added time after the impressive Greig Stewart had given them a half-time lead. Spartans pressed in the second-half and took advantage of a goalkeeping error to equalise but were undone late on.
The first action of the encounter came after four minutes when Greig Stewart tested Chris Flockhart in goal with a powerful left-footed drive which was parried for the corner. After 24 minutes, Stewart was in the thick of it again as he gets a shot away despite being crowded around by Spartans players, only for the ‘keeper to save – albeit with a spill – low to his left.
Stewart made amends just a minute later however with a fantastic individual goal. The striker went past three defenders to glide into the box, before rounding Flockhart with ease to tap-in to an empty net for 1-0.
Kyle Miller went close with a header for the Fifers a minute later, and on 37 minutes Scott Linton hit the post with a header from four yards. Linton could have done better but it was an acute angle. Colin Cameron’s side were pressing down Spartans at every given opportunity and that was making the home side’s play very jittery.
Cowdenbeath’s domination of the first-half continued as two minutes before the break Linton missed another chance, this one a lot worse than the first. Lewis Milne’s cross gave Thomas O’Brien a great opportunity to score but the defender mis-hit his poked effort. The ball eventually trickled towards Linton who blasted his shot well over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
67 minutes had been played when Spartans had their first close encounter with the goal net, when a Cowdenbeath clearance from a corner landed at the feet of left-back Gary Cennerrazzo. The number three hit a powerful low shot with his right-foot but it fizzled just wide of substitute goalkeeper Ricky Barnett’s post.
Spartans were looking more dangerous in this period and they were rewarded – some might say gifted – an equaliser 12 minutes later. The half-time substitute Barnett made a horrendous error and the ball dropped to the feet of Sean Wringe, who passed to Jordan Finnie to comfortably pass into the net. Finnie had lightened up the Spartans approach after coming on just a couple of minutes prior to the goal.
That was all to be for nothing though as Cowdenbeath snatched a late winner. The corner-kick came in from the left and made its way to Michael Fleming on the right-hand side of the area, and Fleming rifled in a volley to the top corner of Flockhart’s net to win the game for the 2011/12 Second Division champions.
SPARTANS: Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Danny O’Donnell, Alastair Woodburn, Mark Whatley, John Grant, Sean Palizcka, Chris Anderson, Sean Wringe. Subs: Ian McTurk, Jonathan Seeley, Jordan Finnie, Neil McCuish, Callum Donnelly.
COWDENBEATH: Lee Wilson, Dean Brett, Murray Christie, Thomas O’Brien, Callum McNiel, Dale Finnie, Lewis Milne, Kyle Miller, Trialist, Greig Stewart, Scott Linton. Subs: Ricky Barnett, Michael Fleming, Arron Linus, Ben Anthony.
Home draws for local clubs in Scottish Cup
North Edinburgh’s two representatives both received home ties in yesterday’s Scottish Cup First Round Draw at Edinburgh Castle, with Spartans drawn at home to Wick Academy and Civil Service Strollers hosting Newton Stewart.
Wick, who finished eighth in the Press & Journal Highland League last term, will travel to Spartans’ Ainslie Park at the end of next month and clock up some 600 miles on the day. The Strollers’ opponents Newton Stewart finished a respectable sixth in the South of Scotland League last season, and The Creesiders make the journey to Silverknowes from Dumfries and Galloway.
Both East of Scotland League clubs have home advantage and will be relatively pleased with the draws they were given.
Douglas Samuel’s Spartans will want to finish the job at Ainslie as a draw would mean a replay at Wick’s Harmsworth Park, with the extremely long journey to get there. The ground is the most northerly professional football stadium in the United Kingdom. The embarrassment of being thrown out last year after fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 second round win at Culter (and thus missing out on hosting Partick Thistle) will more than likely inspire the side this year to go on another famous run.
Civil Service will hope the travelling affects Newton Stewart too as they welcome the South of Scotland club to Edinburgh. Strollers will be hoping to do better in the national cup than they did last year – Fraserburgh defeating them 4-3 in the first round. That defeat denied the Strollers’ a home tie against Third Division Elgin City, so recently appointed manager Chick McAleavey will hope his side can progress into the next phase of the tournament.
Last season’s victorious Heart of Midlothian captain, Marius Zaliuskas, joined Scottish FA Commercial Director Kenny MacLeod, and David Russell, William Hill Group HR Director, to conduct the draw. Here is the full draw:
1. Threave Rovers v Vale of Leithen
2. Bonnyrigg Rose v Girvan
3. Huntly v Wigtown & Bladnoch
4. Shotts Bon Accord v Edinburgh City
5. Irvine Meadow v Gala Fairydean
6. Edinburgh University v Keith or St Cuthbert Wanderers
7. Formartine United v Brora Rangers
8. Civil Service Strollers v Newton Stewart
9. Spartans v Wick Academy
10. Glasgow University v Selkirk
11. Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth
12. Hawick Royal Albert v Golspie Sutherland
13. Fraserburgh v Coldstream
14. Whitehill Welfare v Inverurie Loco Works
15. Buckie Thistle v Rothes
16. Hermes v Deveronvale
17. Fort William or Preston Athletic v Nairn County
18. Turriff United v Burntisland Shipyard
Ties are due to be played on Saturday, 25th August 2012.
Spartans fall short against Annan
A Michael Daly double was enough for Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic to defeat hosts Spartans 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Ainslie Park yesterday.
The Galabankies made the long journey north from Dumfries and Galloway but didn’t seem affected by the travelling as they controlled the fixture for large spells and always looked comfortable. A first-half brace from striker Daly was enough in the end, even though a late surge from Spartans – including a delightful chipped goal from John Grant – threatened the Annan lead.
It was Spartans’ second preparation game in their schedule and after last weekend’s credible 0-0 draw with a Falkirk XI at home, manager Douglas Samuel was hoping to get another positive result from a Scottish Football League side. The result didn’t go their way, but the performance showed promise and the late second-half attempts to get a draw will have pleased Samuel – especially with seven first-team regulars missing.
Annan took the lead after 17 minutes when Steven Sloan saw his shot parried by Spartans’ goalkeeper Chris Flockhart onto the post, only for number nine Daly to slam into the back of the net. It was an early blow for Spartans but it didn’t dampen their spirits.
Jordan Finnie came close to equalising for the home side as he saw his header from six yards go just by the ‘keeper’s left-hand post and out for the goal-kick. Shortly after Finnie’s chance it was striker Keith McLeod’s turn to attempt to level the scoreline. He received the ball on the edge of the area before turning the Annan defender quickly and powering a shot just wide.
Annan thought they had doubled their lead after 36 minutes, but the tap-in was ruled offside. Graeme Ramage tried his level best to double it for real but his shot from just inside the box was always rising and the ball went over the bar. They did manage a second goal just before half-time when a good cross came in from the left and the 27-year-old Daly rose well to angle a header past the goalkeeper and into the net. Their half-time lead of two goals was very much deserved.
Annan’s left-back Gary Thorburn was proving to be a good weapon for Harry Cairney’s side and it was his delivery three minutes into the second half that gave Daly a chance for a hat-trick, but he put his header just over. Sean Wringe then wasted a great opportunity to pull his side back in the game when he blasted well over after cutting in from the left just inside the danger area.
With ten minutes left Steve Swinglehurst went close with a powerful header from a superb right-hand side delivery from Ramage, and the Annan number four could have paid for the miss as Spartans got one back minutes later. After finding some room on the right-side of the box, John Grant expertly lobbed Craig Summersgil, much to the delight of the home support. With six minutes left Spartans pressed for an equaliser but ultimately fell short as the game ended 2-1 to the visitors.
SPARTANS: Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, McCuish, O’Donnell, Mark Whatley, Alastair Woodburn, John Grant, Jordan Finnie, Keith McLeod, Sean Wringe. Subs: Chris Anderson, Sean Palizcka, Neil Irvine, Ian McTurk.
ANNAN ATHLETIC: Craig Summersgil, John Blake, Gary Thorburn, Steve Swinglehurst, Michael McGowan, Scott chaplain, Steven Sloan, Tordyn McKechnie, Michael Daly, Graeme Ramage, David Murray. Subs: Alexander Mitchell, John Watson, Jack Steele, Ally Love, Graeme Bell, Kieran McGachie, Andrew Donnelly.
Positive start to Spartans’ pre-season
The Spartans began their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought goalless draw at home to a Falkirk XI side at Ainslie Park today (writes Alan Clark).
Falkirk had a headed goal chopped off for offside late on in the second half in the game’s only real goalmouth action. New boss Douglas Samuel’s Spartans side were put through their paces in a full game for the first time since their King’s Cup Final defeat, as a young Falkirk team impressed with their movement and passing.
North Edinburgh witnessed several seasons in the same day as a mixture of heavy rain, wind and some sunshine threatened to affect the play on offer to the 400 or so supporters who attended.
The game lacked any real goalscoring opportunities but both sides offered some neat passes and movement despite lacking that killer touch in the final third of the pitch.
The first action of the game came after three minutes when Chris Anderson tried his luck for Spartans with a low shot from outside the area, the ball comfortably held by Falkirk’s goalkeeper Graham Bowman.
It was Falkirk’s turn to try their hand at scoring next as pacy striker Lewis Small was sent through on goal. After wrestling with a defender and then creating some space for himself, Small hit his shot wide of the post and would have been disappointed with his end product.
With 19 minutes played, Spartans had their best chance of the game as dangerous new signing Gary Cennerrazzo broke down the left wing, crossing for Jordan Finnie who managed to turn the ball towards the Falkirk goal but his shot was saved. It was parried into the path of prolific striker Keith McLeod but he got his feet tangled and the ball was cleared.
In the second half, a number of substitutions were made by both sides and the fixture remained even and very tight. The only action highlight was when a Falkirk’s Tyler Fulton met a free kick with his head, steering the ball home to the keeper’s left. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but only to see the offside flag being raised by the far side linesman.
The game ended with no goals but plenty of positives for both managers to take away. For Spartans, a draw against First Division opposition will boost their confidence as the East of Scotland runners-up prepare for the new season, and new signing Cennerrazzo certainly looks a worthwhile addition.
Steven Pressley will be encouraged by the performances of captain for the day Kris Faulds and fellow central midfielder Craig Comrie, as both players ran the show in the middle with a superb range of passing and willingness to start attacks off throughout the game. No doubt these young prospects will be used by Falkirk in their league campaign as they aim to return to the Scottish Premier League.
SPARTANS: Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Ali MacKinnon, John Grant, Mark Whatley, Chris Anderson, Jordan Finnie, Keith McLeod, Sean Wringe. Subs: Ross Gilpin, Chris Milligan, Alastair Woodburn, Callum Donnelly.
FALKIRK: Graham Bowman, Conor Greene, Kyle Turnbull, Ryan McGeever, Tyler Fulton, Kris Faulds, Steven Brisbane, Craig Comrie, Lewis Small, Thomas Grant, Conor McGrandles. Subs: Craig Sibbald, Robbie McNab, Kieran Campbell, James Flynn, Daniel McKinlay.
Ainslie Park strife follows management departures
Mike Lawson, the former co-manager of Spartans, spoke out against the hierarchy of Spartans Football Club this week after he and Sam Lynch were relieved of their duties at Ainslie Park.
In an explosive interview with the North Edinburgh News, Lawson blasted members of the board for forcing the pair out and believes they have been trying to do so for “four or five years”. Match secretary Jimmy Murray resigned following the decision to dump the co-managers, saying he “wanted nothing to do with the committee’s decision to sack Sam and Mike.”
There was no sign of any ill-feeling towards the former management pair from the man that took the decision, though. Chairman Craig Graham said: “We are embarking on a five-year plan with licencing, the introduction of a Lowland League and hopefully a place in the SFL. The committee decided that this was a good time to change as we want to build and introduce young players. We are an ambitious club with excellent facilities.”
Preferring to focus on the positives of their time at the club, Castle FM sports reporter – and Spartans supporter – Cameron Hobbs heaped praise on the duet that has seen the north Edinburgh club win several trophies over an 11-year spell, describing them as “legends”.
He said: “As far as I’m concerned Mike and Sam are Spartans legends. In my time as a fan of the club I’ve seen us go on several Scottish Cup runs, beating several SFL sides. I’ve seen us win every single cup we can – out with the main Scottish Cup. Nobody can take away what great servants they have been to Spartans and I’m therefore sad to see them leave.”
As much as Hobbs is disappointed in the departure of Messrs Lawson and Lynch, he is confident in the future of the club and sees it developing further.
He added: “I believe we still have a very exciting future ahead. We will continue to focus and drive forward to hopefully play our way into the Scottish 3rd Division and beyond. The Spartans fan base is ever growing and I’m already looking forward to next season.”
Alan Clark