4th January 2020 The Spartans v Civil Service Strollers 0-1

First match of 2020 for me. I could have gone to watch BSC Glasgow v Bonnyrigg last night but we had already booked a meal out. As Natalie was away dog-sitting and child-minding I made my own lunch, walked the dog and headed out to Ainslie Park just after 13.30. As usual I walked to the ground arriving about 14.25. I Did not have to pay for entry as a Spartans season ticket holder but paid £6 for three programmes. I needed to get three as Jim was going to see Craigroyston v Leith Athletic which kicked off at 14.00 and then come to Spartans for the second half and had asked that I get him two programmes. I went to the cafe/bar for a coffee and a sausage roll and had a chat with the girl behind the counter about the holiday season and then, more importantly, Hearts. I left the cafe about ten minutes before kick-off and headed round to the grassy bank opposite the stand to watch the match.

This promised to be an interesting game with Spartans fifth in the Lowland league with thirty-three points and Civil Service Strollers (CSS) one point and one place behind. Spartans fielded what might be considered their strongest side although it could be argued that substitute Jack Smith would have been included in their optimum choice. The programme made reference to the loan deals for Jake Davidson (Dundee United) and Leroy Makovora (Hearts) coming to an end this month and I think it is hoped that both the parent clubs will extend the deals till the end of the season. CSS are managed by former Edinburgh City boss Gary Jardine and the side include a number of his former players at the club. Captain Mark McConnell, recently signed John Dunn, striker Ross Guthrie and substitute Chris McKee all played under Jardine at City. Guthrie, Andy Mair and substitute Shaun Turnbull are also former Spartans players who will be looking for a win over their former team-mates. 

As expected with the sides being so close in the league table the match started with both sides evenly matched. Most of the play was in midfield with neither goalkeeper being troubled in the early stages. The first notable incident came in fifteen minutes when CSS' Scott Clapperton was booked for a poor challenge on Ian McFarland on the halfway line. This was notable as it is generally McFarland who ends up in the referees notebook for strong challenges. The Spartans bench were unhappy that they were not allowed onto the field to treat their injured player but McFarland recovered without assistance from the physio in time for the free-kick, which came to nothing, to be taken. CSS forced the first corner of the game after twenty-five minutes when a shot from outside the box was deflected away from goal of a Spartans defender. Clapperton took the kick short to Mair who passed low into the penalty area to Ryan Shanley. The forward turned and knocked the ball back to the Trailist who shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the 'D' outside the penalty area giving Blair Carswell no chance of making a save. I later found out the trialist was Archie Arue, a former Hearts and Livingston academy player who has been without a club since leaving Kelly Hearts at the end of last season. This was his second start for CSS as a trialist following unsuccessful trials at Dunfermline and East Fife and the goal will have done his chances of a longer term deal at CSS no harm. Shortly after the goal Scott Maxwell broke into the CSS penalty area chasing a through ball. His shot from around fifteen yards, wide on the left, was blocked by the feet of the diving CSS goalkeeper Josh Donaldson. On the half hour mark Maxwell, who had looked threatening on the left, was replaced by Jack Smith. The forward did not look injured as he went off and I can only assume Spartans were looking for more firepower up front. Just before halftime Smith chased a through ball from Alan Brown. As Donaldson raced from his goal Smith lifted the ball over him from just outside the penalty area on the right. His attempt however however drifted past the far post for a goal-kick.

Jim arrived at halftime after seeing Leith Athletic win 11-0 at Craigroyston. He said that the home side, who have had issues with player availability recently, had looked a better team than their results would indicate but were clearly outclassed by their opponents. The second half at Ainslie Park continued much as the first with both teams evenly matched. The first chance fell to CSS' Alieu Faye who turned smartly just outside the six yard box to collect the ball after a corner. His shot however lacked power and Carswell got down quickly to collect the ball. With about twenty minutes to go McFarland and Dunn went into a challenge almost directly in front of us on the halfway line. Both players went down in agony and Dunn who has only recently returned to action following a season long injury absence required a couple of minutes with the physio. Thankfully both players returned to action. Aaron Murrell had a good attempt for Spartans with a shot from just outside the penalty area that drifted over the bar. Spartans brought on six foot plus Cameron Dawson to bolster their attacking options but appeared reluctant to send high balls into the CSS area to take advantage of his height. The game got a bit feisty in the final few minutes and both McFarland and Michael Bolochoweckyj were booked for protests to the referee. As the game moved into injury time Spartans Adam Corbett challenged Arue on the halfway line for a high bouncing ball. Arue fell to the ground after what looked to me like a dangerous challenge and the Spartans captain was shown a red card by the referee. Spartans challenge was over and the final whistle went shortly after with CSS moving above their local rivals in the league table. 

After the game I walked up to Ferry Road. As I turned the corner I saw a 27 bus at the stop. After a short sprint, and assisted by the number of people boarding the bus preventing it leaving,  I got on the bus to head home. The 27 passed a 35 at Lauriston Place and I got off the 27 to catch the 35. I saved the short walk down the hill if I had continued on the 27 and was home around 17.30.

Teams

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

Subs: Smith, Reid, Dawson.

Civil Servie Strollers: Donaldson, Newall, Yeats, McConnell, Faye, Trialist, Dunn, Clapperton, Shanley, Guthrie, Mair.

Subs: Fee