24th July 2021 The Spartans 4 Edinburgh University 0

Another beautiful sunny day and I decided to go to Ainslie Park for their Lowland League match against Edinburgh University. There are close links between the two clubs with Spartans having been formed in 1951 to allow players who were no longer eligible to play for the University to continue playing competitive matches. With the bright sunshine I decided to walk to Ainslie Park and left home at 13.30 to walk down the old railway path. The hot weather had brought out a number of walkers and cyclists but I managed to arrive at the ground at 14.30. I showed my season ticket at the turnstiles and then purchased a programme on entry. The cover shows former Spartan Ally McKinnon who now plays for the University, the eligibility rules having been relaxed since 1951. I took up position on the barrier fence to soak in the sunshine and read my programme. Just before kick-off I met my old work colleague, Martin. He is a former referee and now acts as a refereeing supervisor and was at the game today to report on the performance of the match officials. We had a short chat before he headed off to his seat in the stand. 

Spartans made one change to the starting eleven from the mid-week match against Rangers B. Gregor Woods came off the bench to replace Alan Brown who took his place among the substitutes. For again Scott McCrory-Irving was also included on the bench. Missing from the squad was fiull-back Jordan Caddow who announced his retirement following the match against rangers. It was a pity the the experienced 'man of many clubs' did not get a chance to make an appearance from the bench in his last outing as a member of the squad. The University included former Spartan Ally McKinnon in central defence. On the bench was Ben Spelman who had trained with Spartans and appeared in several pre=season games as a trialist. The signing of Blair Henderson meant there was not a place for him in the Spartans side and he has joined the University. 

Spartans created the first dangerous moment when Michael Allan broke down the left. His low cross into the box was cleared for a corner by defender Alex Hamilton with Blair Henderson lurking behind hm on the edge of the six-yard box. Spartans took the lead in fifteen minutes when Michael Herd sent a high cross into the penalty area from the right. The University defence seemed to follow Henderson as he went to meet the ball. However the striker was unable to connect and the ball fell to the unmarked Sam Newman eight yards form goal on the left of the six yard box. The winger sent a low shot across goal into the ent to give Spartans the lead. The University had a chance to equalise when Innes Lawson chased a through ball. As he entered the penalty area he took a poor touch which allowed Kevin Waugh to touch the ball away for a corner. Spartans had a good chance when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Sam Jones and Waugh debated over who would take the kick and Waugh won.  However he then hammered the kick over the bar and onto the top of the net covering the training pitch behind the goal.  Newman then had a similar chance to his goal but this time shot across goal and beyond the far post before Conor Barnes in the University goal parried a Jones free-kick away for a corner. 

At halftime I wandered up to the pie hut at the other end of the ground and bought a chilled IrnBru to cool me down a bit. After I finished my drink I took a seat in the stand for the resumption of the game. Spartans clinched the league points in a five minute spell early in the second half. In fifty-three minutes Jones broke on the left into the penalty area and cut the ball across goal to Scott Maxwell. He fired the ball into the top of the next from the edge of the six yard box. Minutes later Allan broke into the penalty area to chase a Maxwell through ball. He was challenged from behind by McKinnon  for a clear penalty. Henderson had no difficulty in beating Barnes with the spot-kick, sending the diving keeper the wrong way. Jones completed the scoring in fifty-eight minutes by hitting a twenty-yard free-kick low into the corner of the net giving Barnes no chance of making a save. The game was over as a contest although Kerr Maskery came close for the students. He chased a poor back-pass and chipped the ball over the onrushing Carswell from the left hand-side of the penalty box. The angle however was too tight and the ball ended up in the side netting. The score could have been worse for the students with Henderson forcing two good saves from Barnes. Dishington then appeared to be auditioning as a kicker for the British Lions when he hit a shot from a good position high over the cross-bar. 

After the final whistle I walked along the railway path towards Crewe Toll. As I walked up towards the roundabout I checked my phone and saw a 27 was due. I turned into Ferry Road and caught that bus home. I got home at 17.30 and settled down to watch the remainder of the British Lions rugby test against South Africa. The match ended 22-17 to the Lions bringing a perfect end to an excellent day.

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Allan, Smith. Waugh, Maxwell, Dishington, Jones, Henderson, Woods, Newman.

Subs: McCrory-Irving, Murrell, Baur

Edinburgh University: Barnes, Watson, Condie, McGuire, Hamilton, McKinnon, Sinclair, Kemp, Maskery, Baird, Lawson

Subs: Lawton, Son, Spelman