This weekend’s fixture against Hibernian B isn’t of course the first rodeo between the clubs. Indeed, it’s an all-Edinburgh encounter firmly entrenched in the annals of Spartans history.
In their inaugural East of Scotland season, Spartans got off to a tricky, if not possibly predictable start as they looked to gel as a unit and establish themselves in the opening weeks.
Despite the opening day point gained against Berwick, it was followed by five defeats on the bounce, some heavier than others. However, there was finally success to shout about when they shocked Eyemouth in the East Qualifying Cup 1st Round, winning 4-2.
Could this be the catalyst for a winning run to take shape?
In their preview of that weekend’s fixtures, the Edinburgh Evening News noted, “The Spartans should provide good opposition to Hibernian B at Easter Road, and “stay at home fans should get good entertainment. Though the home side should win, the result will probably be close”.
Close it was. Until kick-off. Unfortunately for the new kids on the East of Scotland block, “Spartans never really settled into their game” with “the quickness of the Easter Road forwards being too much for them.”
Too much indeed, with a 8-0 result in favour of the Hibs side who stretched their unbeaten start of the season run to eight games, whilst Spartans remained rooted to the foot, with a solitary point, earned in their debut appearance against Berwick.
The sides were to meet two more times that season – in the League and King Cup. Both won by Hibs B however as the season progressed, naturally the Spartans continued to improve and in the return fixture, only lost 0-2 at home.
Hibernian B were to go on to win the title for the fourth time in five years, whilst Spartans rallied and from a rocky start, finishing a credible 9th place in a fifteen team league.
