18th July 2023 The Spartans 1 Falkirk 2

 

I was not sure where to go tonight and Bonnyrigg v Dundee seemed to be an interesting game. However after Spartans victory over Dundee. United on Saturday I decided to head to Ainslie Park for their second League Cup tie against Falkirk where a victory could almost guarantee a place for Spartans in the knockout stages. I know the competition is now called the Viaplay Cup after the sponsors but to me it was, and always will be,the Scottish League Cup. With recent changes to bus routes the 22 now goes along the West Approach Road down Orchard Brae to Crewe Toll. I caught a 22 at 18.35 and after a short walk from Crewe Toll arrived at Ainslie Park around 19.25. I showed my electronic Fanbase ticket for entry and did not get a programme as Saturdays issue for the Dundee United game was a double issue also covering tonight’s match. I went to the cafe bar for a coffee and a sausage roll before heading down pitch side to find a seat in the stand. Both Alex and Jim were at other matches tonight so I had a seat in the stand on my own. 

Spartans made a number of changes to the side which defeated Dundee United on Saturday. Both Mikey Allan and Jordan Tapping had come off injured on Saturday and, possibly to avoid aggravating a minor problem, dropped to the bench. They were replaced by Sam Newman and Ayrton Sonkur. In midfield Rhys Armstrong also moved to the bench and replaced by Danny Denholm. Falkirk,under manager John McGlynn, a former Hearts coach and manager, have now been in League one for the last four seasons They are still a fulltime club but seem to 'blow up' at the end of the season and miss out on promotion. They are certainly capable of playing at a higher level and had several seasons on the SPL during the 80s/90s. Due to their location they have a number of East of Scotland players in their line-up including ex-Hearts players Callum Morrison and Brad McKay long with former Hibs player Sean Mackie. 

Falkirk started the game well and opened the scoring after six minutes. A corner knocked short to Brad Spencer and his cross into the penalty area was headed home by Tom Lang from the edge of the six yard box. Spartans James Craigen had a shot blocked before Morrison broke down the Falkirk left and his shot was well stopped by Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal.The remainder of the half was end to end but neither side managed to trouble the opposition keepers.

Spartans brought on Armstrong at halftime to replace Bradley Whyte in midfield. Morrison again had a shot saved by Carswell early in the second half. Spartans equalised on the hour mark. A free kick on the left from Armstrong looked an easy take for Falkirk keeper Sam Long. However he failed to gather the ball cleanly and the ball fell to Keiran Watson just outside the six yard box on the right. Long rushed out of his goal but only managed to collide with Watson. As fee fell the full-back managed to knock the ball back into the goal area where Blair Henderson had an easy chance to net from six yards. Watson required treatment after the goal but the referee awarded the goal rather than pull play back for a penalty. Play continued with both sides failing to the once. However Falkirk went ahead in eighty-eight with every-one expecting a penalty shootout to give one side an extra point. A cross from the left was launched into the penalty area and found Ross McIvor on the the left of the six yard box, in a suspiciously offside position. McIvor knocked the ball back to just outside the six yard box where Falkirk striker Alfie Agyemen and Spartans substitute Jordan Tapping collided. The ball went back to McIvor of Tapping and he had an easy chance to put Falkirk ahead. The whistle blew minutes later with Falkirk taking the three points for the win. 

After the whistle I walked out through the  car-park and then headed up to Ferry Road. There was a fifteen minute wait for a 27 bus so I walk to Crewe Toll and caught a 29 and switched to a 30 in Princes Street. I arrived home around 22.15 after watching an enjoyable and competitive match. If Spartans can continue the form they have shown in their first two matches I cannot see them having an issues surviving their first season in League Two. 

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell, Watson, Newman, Waugh, Sonkur, Whyte, Dishington, Craigen, Henderson, Denholm, Russell.

Subs: Armstrong, Morrison, Jones, S. Brown, Tapping.

Falkirk: Long, Lang, McGinn, Donaldson, Morrison, Spencer, Agyeman, Yeats, McIver, Lawal, Mackie

Subs. Miller