19th August 2023 The Spartans 2 Elgin City 1

 

With Hearts having played in the Europa Conference Qualifiers on Thursday their League Cup tie against Patrick Thistle had been moved back to tomorrow. I therefore had a choice of where to go today but finally decided to head to Ainslie Park to watch Spartans v Elgin City as I knew Jim was heading there also.I left home around 13.30 to walk to Ainslie Park but after reaching the foot of Orchard Brae decided to get a bus for the rest of the journey. I jumped on a 19 to Crewe Toll and walked along Ferry Road before heading down to Ainslie Park. My Fanbase ticket was scanned on entry and I bought programme before going up to the cafe bar. I had a marvellous steak pie and a coffee before walking back down to the pitch side where I met Jim. We had a chat as we watched the sides warming up and decided to stay at the cafe end for the first half.

This is Spartans third match as an SPFL side and they have drawn both their previous matches 1-1. Jamie Dishington has scored both their goals but they need others to contribute now. They were however fielding what would be recognised as their strongest side and should be capable of getting their first win today. I was speaking to Stuart who was saying Arbroath were looking at Rhys Armstrong and their scout was here today for the fourth time. Armstrong has been excellent since signing for Spartans but I am not sure if he could move up another two levels in the SRFL. Elgin under manager Ross Draper have had a poor start to the season with no wins and only one goal in six matches. Top scorer from last season Kane Hester has moved on to Montrose and has been sorely. In addition and number of new players have been brought into the squad and they have yet to bell as a team. One player who cannot be blamed for the poor start is midfielder Brian Cameron who has been with the club since 2008 and made over four hundred first team appearances.

The match began in a strong wind with both sides struggling to adapt to the conditions. Spartans had the goal attempt midway through the half when a long ball up the field found Jamie Dishington. He held up play and then found Blair Henderson who knocked the ball into the path of Bradley Whyte whose shot was comfortably saved by Tom McHale on the Elgin goal. Henderson then had a chance but his close range shot hit the post and was cleared before the striker hit another efforts wide of the post. Just before the interval Spartans were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box after a foul on Armstrong.  Armstrong took the kick himself and McHale made an excellent save keep the ball out of the net at the expense of a corner.

Spartans continued to look heartened looked threatening with Elgin struggling to get into the game. Spartans took the lead in sixty-one mi notes when an Armstrong pass set James Craig free in the right hand set of the penalty box. From just in side the box he sent a shot into the far corner of the net to put Spartans. Two minutes later Spartans went further ahead. Cammy Russell raced into the penalty box and looked to have been fouled. However the ball broke to ArmStrong and he shot high into the top right hand corner of the net to put Spartans 2-0 up. Spartans were well on top and Henderson had a close range header well saved by McHale. Elgin however pulled a goal back after seventy-seven minutes. A poor clearance was intercepted by Elgin's Mitch Taylor who passed to Russell Dingwall on the left hand side of the six yard box. Dingwall shot home to give Elgin an unlikely chance of saving the game. However although Blair Carswell had to make a couple of saves in the remaining minutes he was not seriously troubled and Spartans held on for a victory.

After the final whistle I walked through the car park with Jim and then headed up to Ferry. There was a twelve minute wait for a 27 so I walked to Crewe Toll to catch a nineteen to Princes Street and then a 30 home arriving back around 17.30.I watched Spurs V Manchester Utd on Sky but felt I had enjoyed the live game at Ainslie Park more. 

Teams

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

Subs: Denholm, Morrison, Jones.

Elgin City: McHale, Cooney, Taylor, McEwan, Draper, Ewan, Dingwall, Cameron, Barron, McLeman, Wright.

Subs: Harvey, Cooper, Cruickshank.