The Spartans kick-off their Premier Sports Cup campaign on Saturday when they welcome Arbroath to the Vanloq Community Stadium.
Douglas Samuel, at the helm for an incredible 15th season at The Spartans, leads his charges into Match Day 1 of a tournament that has seen the North Edinburgh side punch above their weight against loftier opposition, reaching the Quarter Final in 2024 where they earned the plaudits against Aberdeen.
New signings Mackenzie Ross, Dave McKay and Ben Heal made their debuts last week at Linlithgow and will be looking to make their inaugural appearance in front of a home crowd against the Championship side.
Last time out in the same venue back in November 2023, former Lichtie James Craigen and Jamie Dishington were on target in a 2-1 win which set up what proved to be a pulsating Scottish Cup fourth round derby against Hearts. Featuring for the Red Litchies that day was a certain Mark Stowe, making one of the 41 appearances during his spell at Gayfield.
Previous outings against Saturday’s opponents have all come in the Scottish Cup. The first in 1997 saw the then non-league minnows hold Third Division Arbroath to a 0-0 draw at City Park, before succumbing to a 3-0 loss in the Second Round Replay.
Then, in 2004, when the sides met in Round 3 at a blustery and cold early January Saturday at Gayfield in front of 1,017 brave and well wrapped up supporters, the Arbroath Herald headlines reported, “Arbroath humbled by magnificent Spartans” as the East of Scotland side came back from a ninth minute John McGlashan strike to win 1-4 courtesy of goals from Keith McLeod, Phil Johnson and a brace from Craig Manson.
Edinburgh Evening News scribe Keith Anderson describing the victory that set up a last 16 tie against SPL side Livingston as “The legendary Roy of the Rovers would have struggled to achieve a better story line than this one.”
Both team’s fortunes have moved on sizeably since then, with Arbroath reaching the Premiership play-off quarters last season, with the Spartans pyramid journey bringing SPFL football to Pilton since 2023.
Kick-off is at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased via Fanbase or pay at the gate. Match Programme will be on sale, priced at £3. The Merch Hut is open, with a range of Spartans stash on sale.
Words and Images: Mark Brown
