The first of the back-to-back KDM Evolution Trophy fixtures this week sees The Spartans make the midweek trip to the Borders where they go head to head against familiar foes in the shape of Gala Fairydean Rovers.
Tonight is the 154th competitive meeting between the clubs (2 friendlies also played), stretching back to the year of The Spartans conception back in 1951.
Indeed, the inaugural fixture that was played on the 13 October 1951 saw The Spartans break their East of Scotland League duck with their first ever league victory – a 3-0 win at Canal Field.
Spartans went on to win the first four games on the bounce however they had to wait until December 1959 to halt a miserable run that offered only 2 draws (exciting ones though at 4-4 and 3-3!) and ten defeats including a ‘defences on top’ 6-10 defeat at home.
It was more the minging 60s than the swinging ones for Spartans too, going a full decade without getting one over their Borders opponents.
That tide however did change in the 1970s when the pendulum swung in the North Edinburgh side’s favour with greater regularity.
The clubs were regular silverware recipients in the 80s and 90s, often going toe-to-toe in Finals, including the Scottish Qualifying Cup, East of Scotland Qualifying Cup and King Cup.
Spartans biggest victory at Netherdale came in the King Cup in 2012. Keith McLeod scoring a hat-trick, with Sean Wringe, Dean Hoskins and Omar Kader getting in on the goals. Meanwhile, our record loss on the road came in 1963 when facing a 4-0 deficit at the break, Spartans were no match for their hosts who ended the game 10-1 winners!
Both clubs were of course integral parts of the Lowland League and met with some regularity since 2013, with Spartans having the Lion’s share of the victory pie, with 15 wins out of the 19 played, with all three of Gala’s successes on their home patch.
Thankfully the last time the sides met was in December 2022, also under the shadow of the iconic A-Listed Peter Womersley stand, with Spartans coming out on top in the pouring rain with Mikey Allan bagging a brace and Jamie Dishington adding to the 1-3 win.
With the introduction of Gala into the Development League this season, our Under 20s – some of whom may feature in tonight’s tie – played the young Rovers side in the opening game of the campaign, registering an 0-8 win.
Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm.
[words: Mark Brown]
