The Spartans next up for ‘Loons’

As a consequence of their penalty shoot-out defeat up at Elgin last month in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy, the ‘Loons’ have a break from ‘active’ service this coming weekend when the domestic scene is given over to the third round ties in that competition.

Ray McKinnon’s side will therefore return to cinch league2 duties with a home fixture, the only one of the current month when The Spartans, the new ‘kids on the block’ will pay their first competitive visit to Station Park since December of 1983 on Saturday week the 16th of September.

The Edinburgh based outfit under the stewardship of long serving manager Dougie Samuel currently sit in fifth place in the league table with eight points to their name and will no doubt provide a stiff test on the day for the Athies.

That fixture is followed up by another two away days before the month comes to an end, Stranraer the destination on the 23rd, Methil to face East Fife, the slightly shorter trip on the 30th for what is our ‘local’ derby fixture these days.

At present we also only have one home fixture in October with Peterhead due to head for Station Park on the 7th of the month.

Once again the following weekend is set aside for Trust Trophy ties, a second trip of the campaign to Elgin on the calendar for October 21st.

On the final weekend of October the ten cinch league2 clubs enter the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup at the second round stage, the draw for those ties due to take place over the weekend of the 23rd/24th of September when thirty first round matches are scheduled.

Hopefully a home draw for the ‘Loons’ will be the outcome which would set up a rare luxury of three Station Park Saturday fixture in successive weeks.