25 February 2023. The Spartans 3. East Stirlingshire 1

 

#

If ‘s Saturday but no Hearts game today. Hearts were scheduled to be playing Celtic at Parkhead but the game has been postponed due to Celtic meeting Rangers in the  Viaplay(League) Cup final tomorrow. The postponed game has been re-arranged for 8th March, three days before the two sides meet in the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle. I can see a few grudges being carried on from the league game into the cup-tie. I decided to head to Ainslie Park to watch Spartans against East Stirlingshire in the Lowland League. I walked down past Haymarket to Drumsheugh and caught a 19 bus to Crewe Toll. From there I walked along Ferry Road and down past Sainsbury’s to the ground arriving at 14.30. I grabbed a coffee and a pie in the cafe/bar before heading down to the pitch side about ten minutes before kickoff. I met Jim before the kickoff for the first time this year and we decided to watch the first half from the cafe end given Spartans were attacking the goal at that end. 

Spartans are currently second in the Lowland League but, as leaders Rangers B cannot be promoted to the SPFL , remain favourites to win a spot in the end of season playoffs. There is a big match coming up on 14th March at home to Stirling University who are also pushing for the playoffs. Spartans had a strong side out today with Jordan Tapping returning ar centre half after a long injury absence and Sam Jones returning in midfield. East Stirling now managed by former Hearts boss Sandy Clark seen to have show improved former under their new boss. With wins over East Kilbride and Dalbeattie Star they are showing improved form with  a younger side than they have had over the last few seasons.

The match began with Spartans well on top. Cammy Russell was looking in the mood on the left and Blair  Henderson was dominating in the air against the smaller Shire defenders. Henderson had an early chance when he headed across against the bar. His second attempt when the ball came back out was also against the bar before Shire keeper Ross Connelly to push the ball away for a corner. Spartans went ahead after twenty five minutes when Jamie Dishington sent in a cross from the left.. The ball evaded Henderson in the centre of the goal but found Russell beyond the far post. He headed the ball back across goal and into the net at the far post. Two minutes late Shire equalised when after a break down the left a low cross from Dean Watson found Scott Honeyman on the edge of the six yard box in the centre of the goal. His low shot gave Blair Carswell no chance of making a save. Spartans centre half Tapping then headed against the Shire bar from a corner before shooting the ball past the post when it seemed easier to score from another corner.

Spartans continued to press in the second half but were unable to make any clear chances as in the first half. Russell and Jones had attempts from distance but were unable to trouble Connelly in the Shire goal. Spartans were awarded a penalty about fifteen minutes into the half when a Shire defender brought down Russell in the penalty area. The referee however changed his ind after speaking to his assistant on the stand side. The assistant said that the defender had played the ball however given that the follow through clipped Russell’s ankle I cannot understand why a penalty was not awarded as to the disgust of Spartans the referee restarted play with a dropped ball in the Shire box. With seven minutes to go however Spartans took the lead. A corner from Dishington was flicked on by Henderson to Mikey Allan at the back post. The fullbacks header was blocked by a defender but fell back to his feet. Allan then hit a shot across goal and into the net for a 2-1 lead. As the game moved into injury time yet another Spartans corner was cleared by the Shire defence. As the players looked to move out of the penalty area Henderson was clipped from behind by a defender. The referee awarded a penalty which Henderson shot low into the left hand corner of the goal with Connelly diving in the opposite direction.

After the final whistle I walked up to Ferry Road where, for once, a 27 bus was due. I caught it and was home in time to watch Bournemouth v Manchester City on Sky. 

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Allan, Waugh, Tapping, Whyte, Dishington, Watson, Henderson, Jones, Russell.

Subs: S. Brown, McFarland.

East Stirlingshire: Connelly, Coutts, Brown,  Moyes, Green, Hodge, Joseph, Honeyman, Sabatini, Watson, Fotheringham.

Subs: Prince