Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 The Official Matchday Programme
Sunday 31st of October 2021 Ainslie Park Stadium 1pm KO
Friends Legal are the main kit sponsor of Spartans Women FC, supplying all our kit requirements including our home strip and match day and training apparel. Friends legal are a specialist personal injury law practice. The team at Friends Legal try and make access to legal services as straightforward as possible by promoting a friendly approach. Tony O’Malley, Managing Partner of Friends Legal, said: “At Friends Legal we strongly believe in the power of community to achieve great things so we are delighted to continue our partnership with Spartans Scottish Women’s Premier League team . It is also part of our philosophy to give something back. Spartans were able to demonstrate a clear vision for their club, along with clearly defined values that they wished to promote.” We are extremely grateful for the continued support received from Friends Legal. For expert advice please call Friends Legal on 0141 442 0610 or visit www.friends-legal.co.uk
Home Ground
Medical Staff
Ainslie Park (Capacity 2,400 / 504 Seated) The Spartans Community Football Academy 94 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh EH5 2HF Tel: 0131-552-7854 E-mail: info@spartanscfa.com
Marcin Szostak Club Physiotherapist Amy Young Matchday Physiotherapist Toni Fraser Matchday Physiotherapist
SWPL Team Staff Debbi McCulloch Head Coach Scott Noble Assistant Head Coach Katie Reilly Assistant Coach Colin Osbourne GK Coach Jude Watson Team Chaplain Mel Crolla Team Chaplain Liz McMahon Club Secretary John Douglas Club Photographer James Lambert Matchday Operations Adam Smith Team Manager Amy Hogg Media Officer Robyn Dunn Sports Nutritionist Liam Thomson Video Analyst Dylan Morrison Sports Scientist
U19’s NPL Team Staff Alfie Smith Head Coach Michael Cranston Assistant Head Coach Charlene Lessells GK Coach Jason Cross Team Secretary
Girls Academy Daniel Blyth U17’s Head Coach Aaron Hunter U15’s Head Coach Stephen Burnett U15’s Head Coach
Club Information Website: www.spartansfcwomen.com Twitter: @spartansfcwomen Facebook: @spartansfcwomen Instagram: spartans_womens_fc
’ This afternoon we welcome Graeme, his players and staff to Ainslie Park. As suspected Dundee United have had a positive start to their SWPL 2 campaign with them currently sitting 2nd in the league table with a game in hand. Our message this week to our players has been that we must be at our best this afternoon if we are to progress to the semi-final stage as Dundee United have an extremely talented squad and should not be underestimated. It’s been two weeks since our last competitive match where we drew 2-2 against Celtic Women. It was a result which shocked people out with the club however it wasn't a surprise to us and when the final whistle went we were all gutted that we didn't see out the game and take all three points. We made some big decisions in the lead up to the game against Celtic, with the players and staff working hard to pull together a strong game plan and a couple of tweaks to our normal formation. I thought we were excellent in the first 45 minutes and went in at half time with a well deserved lead. We knew Celtic would make changes and come out stronger in the second half however we did our best to limit chances and had Rachel to thank for a wonderful last minute save which saw us take home a point no one ever thought we would be worthy of. Since our last game, it has given us two weeks to prepare for three games in seven days. On Wednesday evening we welcome Partick Thistle to Ainslie Park in midweek action (7.45pm Kick Off) and we then travel west next Sunday to face Hamilton Academicals. Our goals are clear over the next seven days - reach the semi-finals of the League Cup and secure six points from our next two SWPL 1 games. Thankfully we have had several players recover from a couple of niggles and go into this week with good depth. Finally, on behalf of the club and myself, we were all gutted to read the news this week about Glasgow City player Jo Love and her sadly rupturing her ACL. No matter what club you play, or work for, it is never easy to see or hear about a player suffering such a terrible injury. Jo is a professional on and off the pitch and always donates boots to our boot bank here at The Academy when she visits. Jo is a class act and we wish you a speedy recovery. Your support matters greatly to all of us so please get right behind the players this afternoon as I know everyone really appreciates your support. Together is all that matters. Enjoy the game! #DBDF
Debbi McCulloch McCulloch
Debb
Photo courtesy of Craig Doyle Media
Lowland League | Spartans are dilly at Lily to progress in Challenge Cup The Spartans progressed into the next round of the East of Scotland Challenge Cup with a 1-4 win over Easthouses Lily, however they were made to work hard by the Conference B side who took the lead and were later reduced to 10 men. With Jack Newman recalled by his parent club Dundee United for the bench at Easter Road, Under 20s keeper Miko Komocki took over between the sticks whilst there was a place on the bench for new signing Calum Burns from Stirling Uni.
Kick-off itself was slightly delayed itself as Spartans goalie coach got a leg-up by Komocki to help fix the net in order to allow the game to start. It was of course hoped that the net wouldn’t be troubled during the first half and the match started largely at the other end with a brace of corners in the opening couple of minutes for the visitors. However, with their first venture into the Spartans half, a bit of individual trickery by Cammy McBeth saw him squeeze a shot into the inside post to give the hosts the lead. It took just four minutes for the scores to be levelled. Jamie Dishington working the ball to the corner before sending back inside to Cammy Russell who sent the ball across the face of the keeper into the opposite end of the net. HT: Easthouses Lily 1-1 The Spartans Youngster Komocki was called upon to take a flighted ball inside his area and he done well under significant pressure to keep the scores level. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Spartans took the lead for the first time in the game – and one that they weren’t to surrender. A corner came into the front post which was flicked on by Blair Henderson who found the face of the crossbar and it dropped down onto the head of Kevin Waugh who won’t score an easier goal in his career. The hosts were then reduced to ten men after Jai Whyte didn’t even hang about to see the Ref reach for a second yellow card after he scythed down Cammy Russell on the touchline. As the hosts tired and the clock ticked on, a clever move involving Newman and Dishington was finished off by Blair Henderson who neatly sent the ball low into the net despite the efforts of the Lily keeper. Then, with moments left on the clock, Sam Newman showed his pace to race towards goal before selflessly squaring the ball to the unmarked Jamie Dishington who made it 1-4. FT: Easthouses Lily 1-4 The Spartans
Caley Gibb
This week we discussed #COP26 with Granton Primary School as part of RSS. Students tested their knowledge with a Kahoot quiz and celebrated by setting up the pantry to share with local families.
Another fun filled week at Go Fitba in partnership with Scottish Football Partnership despite the horrendous weather. Our young people from Forthview Primary School were learning about carbohydrates, proteins & fats plus enjoying spooktacular games on the pitch improving their control & technique.
#hereforgood
Position
Team
Played
Won
Draw
Lose
GD
Points
1
Rangers Women F.C.
7
6
1
0
30
19
2
Glasgow City F.C.
7
5
2
0
21
17
3
Celtic Women F.C.
7
5
2
0
19
17
4
Hibernian Women F.C.
7
4
0
3
8
12
5
Aberdeen Women F.C.
7
2
1
4
-9
7
6
Motherwell Women F.C.
7
2
1
4
-10
7
7
Partick Thistle F.C.
7
2
1
4
-14
7
8
Spartans F.C.
7
1
3
3
-15
6
9
Hamilton Academicals
7
1
1
5
-18
4
10
Heart of Midlothian
7
1
0
6
-12
3
Played
Won
Draw
Lose
GD
Points
Position
Team
1
Glasgow Girls & Women
6
5
1
0
10
16
2
Dundee United W.F.C.
5
4
1
0
9
13
3
Kilmarnock F.C. Women
6
3
1
2
7
10
4
Boroughmuir Thistle F.C.
6
3
0
3
4
9
5
St Johnstone W.F.C.
5
1
1
3
-5
4
6
Stirling University W.F.C.
6
1
1
4
-17
4
7
Queens Park W.F.C.
6
0
1
5
-8
1
Photos courtesy of Craig Doyle Media
1. Alicia YATES (GK) 2. Louise MASON 3. Sarah CLELLAND 4. Simone MCMAHON 5. Dion MCMAHON 6. Ellie SIMPSON 7. Lisa RYAN
1. Aaliyah-Jay MEACH (GK)
8. Katie FREW 9. Ronaigh DOUGLAS 10. Jade STENHOUSE
8. Erin ROSS 9. Robyn SMITH
11. Alana MARSHALL © 13. Rachel HARRISON (GK)
11. Steffi SIMSON
14. Tegan REYNOLDS 15. Caley Gibb
13. Lauren PERRY (GK)
16. Rosie MCQUILLAN 17. Robyn MCCAFFERTY 18. Rebecca GAILBRAITH 19. Leah SIDEY 20. Elena SANTOYO-BROWN 24. Katherine SMART 25. Katie REILLY
2. Erin CATTANACH 3. Rebecca MCMILLAN 4. Cassie COWPER 5. Jade MCLAREN 6. Danni MCGINLEY 7. Neve GUTHRIE
10. Laurie ROSS 12. Rachel TODD 14. Rebecca FOOTE 15. Phil MCCALLUM 16. Alex ROBSON 17. Megan BURNS 18. Georgie ROBB 19. Hayley KERN 20. Tammy HARKIN 21. Chloe CLEMISON
www.spartansfcwomen.com