19th October 2019 The Spartans v Queens Park 0-2

I was a bit disappointed today as I had a bought a ticket to go and see Penicuik in the Scottish Cup at home to Stenhousemuir. However after torrential rain yesterday afternoon and last night the game was called off at around 10.00 due to the pitch being waterlogged. However all was not lost as Spartans were at home today playing Queens Park, also in the Scottish Cup round 2. I left home at 13.45 and as usual walked to Ainslie Park arriving around 14.30. My season ticket was not valid for Scottish Cup ties and I paid my £10 entry and then purchased a £2 programme. My season ticket did however give me entrance to the cafe bar and I had a sausage roll and a coffee before heading out to grab a seat in the stand. I met Ally who I used to work with. Ally’s son is the Spartans midfield player, Aaron Scott and we had a chat before Ally had to move to allow his wife to sit beside some of her friends. 

Spartans were still missing Adam Corbett, suspended after his sending off in the last round, however Michael Bolochoweckyj was back from holiday and took the skippers place in central defence. Scott who had been injured last week was fit to start alongside Ian McFarland in midfield. The latter retained the captains armband in Corbett's absence. David Greenhill, who retired at the end of last season, was on the bench after he reversed his decision. Queens Park are the only amateur side in Scottish senior football although there is talk of them paying players going forward to allow them to claim cash when players move on to other senior clubs after having been developed in the Queens Park ranks. The 'Spiders' included Hibs loanee Tommy Brock in their side.

Spartans started well and Jake Davidson had a chance but his shot from the edge of the box flew over the cross bar. Spartans had to score first, I felt, to win against an SPFL side and the chance should have come in the eighth minute. Blair Atkinson was causing the Queens defence problem with his pace and his cross came to Scott Maxwell in the penalty box about twelve yards from goal. Maxwell attempted to bring the ball down for a shot and it appeared to be handled by Queens Cairan Summers. The referee however waved away the loud claims for a penalty kick. Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal did well to save a header from Queens Calvin McGrory before the opening goal arrived after thirty-two minutes. A corner from Summers was headed down by Block to Alfredo Agyeman. The winger poked the ball past Carswell from the edge of the six-yard box to give Queens the lead. Two minutes later the second goal arrived when Agyeman raced to the bye-line and cut the ball back to David Galt rushing into the penalty box. From about fifteen yards on the left of of box Galt fired a low shot past Carswell  and into the net. the keeper was injured attempting to ave the ball and required treatment before continuing. As there was blood on his shirt this needed to be changed. As the Spartans announcer said "Number One Blair Carswell is replaced by number nineteen Blair Carswell".

At halftime time Spartans replaced Atkinson with Nicky Reid. This was surprising as Atkinson had looked their best player in the first half and I can only think it must have been due to an injury. Aaron Murrell had a good run past a couple of players but was stopped  by the Queens defence on the edge of the penalty box. Queens had most of the ball but Carswell in the Spartans goal was not troubled. Spartans then made another strange substitution when as they were chasing a goal to bring them back into the game they replaced striker Murrell with midfielder David Greenhill. Greenhill was only making his second appearance since coming back to Spartans. While he scored several goals for Spartans from midfield he is not a natural striker. Queens lost Jeffrey Lidouren who limped off, after a challenge by Bolochoweckyj, to be replaced by Reagan Thomson. Bolochoweckyj headed over the Queens bar late in the game as Spartans attempted to pull back a goal by Queens progressed to the third round.

After the match ended I walked to Crewe Toll and caught a 47 to Lothian Road arriving home just before 17.30.

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Davidson, Allan, Bolochoweckyj, Hoskins, Scott, Brown, McFarland, Murrell, Maxwell, Atkinson.

Subs: Reid, Greenhill, Dawson 

Queens Park: Muir, Block, Summers, McGrory, Jamieson, Gibson, Agyeman, Lidouren, Koudier-Aissa, Galt, Moore.

Subs: Thomson, Mortimore, Purdue.