Sharkey's Machine

Took in this cracking game, played in a fantastic spirit by both sides, very touching 1 min silence observed by all in honour of the late Cameron Armstrong whom had links to both clubs. WW were extremey stubborn in defence especially in the first half thawrting wave after wave of Spartans attacking football. The home side applied the sucker punch early in the second period and matched Spartans there on. Led to believe that Spartans were missing a handful of first team regulars and had to draft in several youngsters, credit where due that they didn't resort to dipping into the Senior ranks. Interested spectators included Grant Carnie and Micky Lawson albeit not standing together!! ;-)

Anybody out there got any update on how things are going at U20's. EoS website appears to have dated info re league positions & cup draws??

Great point uptheslope, I believe there's a misconception that if you've not made it into pro-youth ranks before turning 16 then your time has passed - The lad Hunter is a great example to dispel this myth, good luck to him and all the lads playing at this level, your opportunity is still alive and kicking - pardon the pun :-)

Just noticed the usually stingey Spartans defence conceded 4 goals last weekend - anybody confirm if this was down to Leith Athletic improvement up top/red card(s) or otherwise?

Went along to Ainslie on Friday, bitter night but intrigue got the better of me - was it a Spartans blip a fortnight ago? You better believe it! Totally dominant all over the park! Shape was as per and therefore although City tried to emulate their Meadowbank game plan Spartans were back to their comfortable best i.e. Passing & moving at pace. Spartans central defenders could have shared a pack of Hamlets for the most. Even though the City striker (mikey?) worked his socks off again!' he didn't get much effective support. I reported the first time these teams met this season that the players & coaches were a credit to their respective clubs, unfortunately this could not be applied to City in this game, indiscipline reared it's ugly head as the game slipped away from them compounded with an over the ball shocker and a volley of abuse directed to the official for rightly brandishing a straight red card. Blip put to bed emphatically!!!

Have to agree with both Surely Not & Happy Gilmore - development is paramount and although Spartans would love to progress the lad through the ranks, it would be totally selfish to step in his way if a bigger gun came in, that's if the lad wanted to move of course, he's maybe once bitten......,, Trying to get someone to fill his boots would be a mighty task. The lad Atkinson was touted as the next big thing at Spartans (contract and all) but has not progressed by all accounts, their extensive youth set up may have a candidate in the wings - no pun intended ;-)

"2nd place" up the slope? To whom in your opinion? That said, watched Spartans get back on track emphatically on Friday evening - so strong all over the park. No goals conceded in open play and scoring for fun courtesy of the lad George Hunter (believe he got a run out for the LL team yesterday). Don't know if the Spartans coaches took notice of P&B last week as they reverted back to their more effective 4-4-1-1 formation (IMHO) which resulted in their lads looking much more confident than at Meadowbank last week. Team to beat?? Certainly the team to watch!!

Bizzare! Potentially good game at Spartans (v Leith Ath.) think I'll take it in, intrigued to see if Spartans display last week was a blip?

Any idea why this game is cancelled HH?

Ever thought of becoming a detective surely not? No? Just as well :-) I was sitting in the stand- nuetral section!! Only called it as I seen it.

Took this game in last night, EC Totally dominated midfield! It appeared that Spartans played 4-3-3 which is not their usual set up, EC snapped away brilliantly putting the Spartans defence under loads of pressure. Totally uncharacteristic of any time I've seen them, players looked lost and unable to adapt to the formation.Tactical masterclass handed out by the EC coaches, case of it aint broken so why try to fix it by their counterparts. WELL DONE EC - defo no one horse race as mentioned earlier!

And rightly so! Well done the Kilby on and off the park!

Result of the day surely belongs to Spartans, anybody go along and pay their fiver (bit much IMHO)?