15th July 2023 The Spartans 1 Dundee United 0

 

So here it is the first competitive game for season 2023/24 and also Spartans first ever match as an sOFL dive following their playoff win against Albion Rovers last season. Last season I has a Spartans season ticket in addition to my Hearts season but was unsure how many Spartans games I would get to this season. I decided not to get a Spartans season and bought a ticket for today through Fanbase at a cost of £10 against last seasons £7 for the Lowland League.  I left home around 13.35 to walk to Ainslie Park. As the forecast suggested thunderstorms this afternoon I walked down the road rather than the railway path as it would be easier to catch a bus if the predicted rain started. I arrived ar Ainslie Park around 14.40 and showed my electronic Fanbase ticket for entry. None of my friends were at the cafe end and I wandered down to the Pilton end and stood on the grassy mound where Jim and Martin arrived about five minutes later. The new stand which was completed last year was closed again as the council had only issued a temporary completion certificate and another inspection would be required before it can be used again. Seems like absolute  nonsense to me ! However who am I to argue with the council. 

Spartans have brought in a number of new players for their SPFL debut. Midfielder James Craigan has moved from Edinburgh City sling with Danny Denholm from Stirling Albion and Ayrton Sonkur  from Albion Rivers. To accommodate the new players a number of players have been released o the expiry of their contracts. Former club captain.Ian McFarland has now retired with long serving Mikey Herd and Scott Maxwell released. With injuries and family commitments Maxwell is also likely to retire although Herd could still do a job in the East of Scotland League. Gregor Woods and Callum Burns who were part of the first team squad have also been released along with several younger players.

Dundee United had an awful time last season and were relegated from the SPL. Manager Jim Goodwin joined rather club in March 2023 following his sacking as Aberdeen manager in January. His contract was originally till the end of the season but has now been extended for a further two seasons. He lost a number of players with Steven Fletcher and Ryan Edwards leaving after the expiry of their contracts,  Dylan Levitt being transferred to Hibs and Charlie Mulgrew and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti been told they can find a new club. Incoming players include Jack Walton ( on loan from Luton), Ollie Denham (on loan from Cardiff), Kevin Holt (Patrick Thistle) and Ross Docherty (also Patrick Thistle). A number of younger players who have been out in loan have also been recalled to the squad.

Spartans started the game well and Cammy Russell had an early chance when he turned a defender but shot over he bar from just outside the penalty area. Russell then had a good claim for a penalty as he was taken down by United keeper Jack Walton but the referee was not convinced and waved play on. Spartans however went ahead after eleven minutes. United were looking for a free-kick after a defender went down but Russell picked up the ball and rushed down the left. As he got to the byeline he sent a low ball across goal which was flicked on by Rhys Armstrong at the near post. The ball fell at the feet of Blair Henderson and he poked the ball into the empty goal to put Spartans 1-0 up. Jamie Dishington then tried a cross/shot from the right which Walton did well to push away for a corner. Just before halftime Russell again broke into the United penalty area but his cross was blocked by the defence at the expense of a corner. 

United started the second half in a more determined fashion and Mathew Anim Cudjoe had a chance but shot just over the bar from the edge of the penalty box. Tony Watt, a former Hearts striker, then robbed the ball from Jordan Tapping in midfield and sent off on a run into the Spartans penalty area. A combination of Kevin Waugh and Tapping cleared the danger by not allowing him a chance to shoot and the ball was cleared. Just after the hour mark United had an excellent chance as they were warded a penalty after Armstrong was penalised for a tackle from behind on Rory McLeod. Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal, a renewed penalty saver. dived to his left and pushed Watts attempt away for a corner to the delight of his team-mates. Declan Glass then rushed through on a one on once but Carswel again got down to block the ball. As the game went into injury time United substitute Miller Thomson had another good chance but his shot from the left hand side of the rea hit the bar and was cleared. After nervy four minutes of injury time the referee blew the final whistle for a greta win for Spartans against a full-time side. 

After the final whistle we headed for the exit where the United fns were expressing there anger at both the players and management team and also the directors standing on the balcony above the dressing entrance above. Jim and Martin headed along the railway path while I walked up to Ferry Road. With a fifteen wait for a 27 bus I walked along to Crewe Toll where I caught a 37 to the West End nd then a 10 home. I arrived home around 17.45 after a very satisfying display by Spartans in their first game as an SPFL club.

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Watson, Allan, Waugh, Tapping, Whyte, Dishington, Craigen  Henderson, Armstrong, Russell. 

Subs: Jones, Morrison, Sonkur, Newman

Dundee United: Walton, Freeman, McMann, Holt, Denham, Docherty, Coudje, Grimshaw, Watt, Meekison. Middleton. 

Subs:  Glass, Mochrie, McLeod, Thomson, Chalmers,.