Lowland League, Ainslie Park, 25/10/19
The Spartans Football Club
Founded – 1951
Nickname – N/A
Honours– Lowland League – 2013/14, 2017/18, East of Scotland League-1971–72, 1983–84, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2008-09, 2009–10, 2010–11
Current Division – Lowland League
Random Fact – The club were originally formed as a graduates of Edinburgh University club. This practice didnt last long.
I have had train tickets booked to Edinburgh in the past for a Spartans game. With both attempts being ruined by selfish arseholes. Finally I managed to get to Ainslie Park and for a bonus I had Wee Man in tow.
I had this pencilled in with a hotel booked a long time ago, so I am shocked it didnt fall through. The plan was, Spartans tonight and Kilwinning R******s tomorrow. But due to roadworks a local team tomorrow is the better idea instead of an extra hour plus in traffic at Whitburn. The tombola hasnt been drawn yet as Wee Man is asleep. But it includes Broxburn Athletic v Cowdenbeath in the real Scottish Cup, Gala Fairydean v Formartine United or Penicuik v Stenhousmuir in the same competion. Linlithgow Rose CFC v Pollok on the Junior Scottish Cup and the fifth game being Bo’ness United v Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the East of Scotland league. To be honest I want Penicuik but I will have to wait untill morning when Wee Man makes the big draw out of a tourie
Back to Ainslie, its a decent set up, another plastic cancer inducing pitch but everything else there is to a quality standard. To be noted a pint and a fresh orange was £3.30 in the bar. Tidy. Better than the old ground, City Park which by the end was a graffitti ridden, condemmed shit tip. This only learned tonight when asking if my ex Highland League pal if be had scored at Ainslie,turns out he scored v Spartans for Deveronvale but not at Ainslie at City Park.
While having a pre match pint I noticed a Gordon Strachan display. This was complete with his ECWC final shirt and winners medal. Nice to see when you are a Dons fan. Not sure the link but hes an Edinburgh loon so ill guess hes from that area of the Capital
First thing I noticed during the game was Nicky Low the ex Aberdeen player was in the East Stirling starting xi. Im glad he has continued to play at part time level after having to retire from playing professionally last season due to his body failing him. Good luck min
The game tonight flew in. One minute we were getting our obligatory thumbs up photo then the next we were walking the five minute walk back to the hotel.it was a bizzare feeling. The game barring the goals had nothing of note. Unless you count a goalkeeper wearing vertical stripes, which is a rare occurrence and worthy of a mention (as I clearly have)
Spartans took the lead through a proper howler from the Shires stripey number one Barclay, who saved a direct free kick, one with little venom behind it. The save was comfortable but the spil into his own net was calamitous and equally hillarious. Hopefully it finds its way on to Youtube. The lead didnt last long though. ES were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out. Nicky Low stepped up and with the deftest and beautiful chips he bamboozled the Spartans defence and found Rodgers who smashed home. A excellently worked move. Half Time came and went and we were off again with the temperature careering southbound but that didnt stop the heat on the pitch with the bookings racking up. The game didnt even seem to have much needle but the booking count was high. The Shire took the lead through Dishington who had bust a gut to find himself on the end of a great cross to smash into the roof of the net. Two was then three when my MOM (and not because hes ex Aberdeen) Nicky Low who was passed in one on one and cooly rounded the keeper taking the three points back to Falkirk(…… I mean Grangemouth).Pretty much a middle of the road affair which wont go in my list of classics but at least the best team won. Good to see Nicky Low still kicking a ball about too.
Me 165, Wee Man 39
FITBAWBAG 