6th January 2018 The Spartans v Civil Service Strollers 1-0
With SPL on mid-winter break decided to go to Ainslie Park for the North Edinburgh Derby, Spartans v Civil Service Strollers (CSS). I had been to previous league match between the sides where Spartans won 2-1 and anther tight contest was anticipated. As usual walked to Ainslie Park, arriving at around 14.40 for a warming cup of coffee.
Spartans had a strange line-up with top scorers Ross Allum and Blair Atkinson both on the bench. As is normal with Spartans shirt numbers had little reference to position with Michael Herd (2) playing in central midfield, Jack Nixon (4) at right back and Adam Corbett (10) at centre back. CSS had a numbers of Spartans connections including Andy Mair who joined them from Spartans early last year.
The game kicked off with the view of the Ferry Road glow obscured by the glare from the setting sun. CSS had a early lucky escape when keeper Stuart Burnside let a free kick through his fingers and it fell at the feet of Scott Maxwell. The ball seemed to stick between Maxwell's feet and he was unable to get a shot on target from close-in. Craig Stevenson was pressing forward from left back and sent a number of good crosses into the box. After about fifteen minutes Spartans took the lead when a long throw from Jack Nixon was flicked on by Jason Stevens and nodded home from close range by Scott Maxwell. Spartans continued to press forward with CSS having little opportunity to go forward but no further goals arrived in the first half.
At the start of the second half Alan Brown replaced Nixon at right back. With his first involvement in the match "Hovie' sent a low cross into the CSS box which eluded the Spartans forwards looking for a final touch. David Greenhill then managed to put the ball in the net but this was ruled out for offside. Maxwell then hit the outside of the post with a cross from the left. CSS had a couple of attempts on goal but Blair Carswell was not troubled as these flew past the post.The funniest moments in the second half were Mair's throw-ins. He was continually stealing yards and after being warned by the referee was penalised the next time he did it with Spartans being awarded the throw. Near the end of the match Jason Stevens had a chance to seal the game when a cross from Willie Bremner left him with an open goal. Stevens attempted to shoot home but was only able to push the ball past the post from six yards out. A header may have been a better option at that time.
Not a great game but a good result for Spartans.The victory lifted them to second in the Lowland League behind East Kilbride. After the game I walked up to Ferry Road and caught a 27 home, stopping at Tesco on the way for some red wine to celebrate the victory.
Teams
The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Stevenson, Nixon, Tolmie, Greenhill, Dishington, McFarland, Stevens, Corbett, Maxwell.
Subs: Allum, Brown, Bremner
Civil Service Strollers: Burnside, Churchill, Mair, Laird, Turnbull, Cunningham, Clapperton, Ballantyne, Gormley, Downie, Fee.
Subs: Hainey
At the start of the second half Alan Brown replaced Nixon at right back. With his first involvement in the match "Hovie' sent a low cross into the CSS box which eluded the Spartans forwards looking for a final touch. David Greenhill then managed to put the ball in the net but this was ruled out for offside. Maxwell then hit the outside of the post with a cross from the left. CSS had a couple of attempts on goal but Blair Carswell was not troubled as these flew past the post.The funniest moments in the second half were Mair's throw-ins. He was continually stealing yards and after being warned by the referee was penalised the next time he did it with Spartans being awarded the throw. Near the end of the match Jason Stevens had a chance to seal the game when a cross from Willie Bremner left him with an open goal. Stevens attempted to shoot home but was only able to push the ball past the post from six yards out. A header may have been a better option at that time.
Not a great game but a good result for Spartans.The victory lifted them to second in the Lowland League behind East Kilbride. After the game I walked up to Ferry Road and caught a 27 home, stopping at Tesco on the way for some red wine to celebrate the victory.
Teams
The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Stevenson, Nixon, Tolmie, Greenhill, Dishington, McFarland, Stevens, Corbett, Maxwell.
Subs: Allum, Brown, Bremner
Civil Service Strollers: Burnside, Churchill, Mair, Laird, Turnbull, Cunningham, Clapperton, Ballantyne, Gormley, Downie, Fee.
Subs: Hainey
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