The Spartans FC V Bo’ness United (Ainslie Park 26/03/2022)

The Spartans FC V Bo’ness United – Lowland League Cup Group Stage (26/03/2022)

I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when I got up, as it was finally Non-League Day!! After two years since my last Non-League Day and my visit to Clydebank for their game against Hurlford United, I was able to celebrate again with a trip to Ainslie Park for The Spartans versus Bo’Ness United. Non-League Day is an annual event which celebrates semi-professional and grassroots football in the UK.

Made the most of the strangely nice March Scottish weather and spent a few hours at Portobello beach with the dog before heading across Edinburgh to Ainslie Park. I have wanted to get to a Spartans game for a long while now and jumped at the chance to go this weekend, given the added incentive as they were running an offer for any season ticket holder of Hearts, Hibs or Edinburgh City to receive 50% off entry by showing their season ticket.

Following the 15 minute drive from Portobello to Ainslie Park, I got tot the ground at around half two and grabbed a prematch bridie, capris-sun and programme. As I took my seat on the halfway line, looked to my left and ex Scotland manager Craig Brown was sat about 10 seats down from me. Also nice to be approached and thanked by a member of staff for coming to the game and the poster for the game I had designed.

The ground is a modern non-league ground with an all seated stand running a long one of the touchlines, on the opposite a small terrace on in on of the halves, standing space behind either goal and an astro-turf pitch.

Both teams were clearly up for it as Bo’ness went close and then Dishington for Spartans hit the post inside the opening minutes. To cap off a tasty opening five minutes one of the Bo’ness United coaches was sent to the stands for clashing with one of the home teams players, with paper flying across the dugout. I use the words sent to the stands loosely as he went to stand about 5 foot away from the dugout and was still easily able to communicate to the players.

After a slip by Maxwell at left back letting in Kieran Mitchell who cut the ball back to Gregor Nichol who curled the ball around the keeper into the top corner with 15 minutes played to give Bo’ness United the lead.

A good first half, with plenty of tasty challenges with both sides playing some good football and wanting to keep the ball down and play. Although it was 1-0 both sides could have scored a lot more then that but only one of the efforts found the breakthrough.

The game was level with just under 10 minutes of the second half gone, as Spartans made a corner count as Kevin Waugh rose highest to head home with a confident header.

Bo’ness United restored their lead in the 65th minute, as Danny Galbraith smashed the ball into the net from just inside the box, following an impressive long pass.

With just over five minutes left on the clock Nichol made it 3-1 to the visiting team grabbing his second, from a well worked corner that the Spartans defence couldn’t deal with and Nichol stabbed home from close range.

In the end the better side won in my opinion, although after a good start to the second half for Spartans the away side showed their class as they ended up winning convincingly and took their chances well.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – £5

Programme Price – £2

Programme Rating – 7/10

Refreshments – 8/10

Stadium Facilities – 9/10

Getting To Stadium – 7/10

Stadium Rating – 7/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on The Spartans against Bo’ness United.

Daz Carding