Cup Upset

A trip along to Ainslie Park for the first game of the new season and the visit of United. Sadly United continued where they left off last season (five defeats on the trot following the league split, leading to relegation from the SPL) and lost 0-1 to Spartans. Losing to a team two leagues below them must be one of United's worst results, although in recent years there have been several contenders - 1-6 at Falkirk in 2018, 1-5 at home to Ross County and 0-5 at home to Ayr the following season, 0-7 at Alkmaar and 0-9 at home to Celtic last season. They did lose to Ross County in 1998 when County were in what was then Division Three and United were in the Premier League, which is a bigger league gap, even if County's subsequent success makes it look less of an upset. For long spells it was hard to tell which was the team newly promoted to the SPFL from the Lowland League and which was the Championship team. United were a little better in the second half as Spartans played deeper and deeper to protect their lead. A chance to equalise from the penalty spot was spurned by striker Tony Watt who looked uninterested and unfit until he was substituted after his penalty was saved. Finishing was poor as United did at least create chances but they were mostly high or wide and when they did find the target the Spartans keeper was equal to the task. In the picture Spartans have the ball near the United corner flag in the closing minutes and are playing down time before a famous victory. It is only a group match so in theory three wins in the remaining fixtures could still see United through but with this arguably the easiest tie of the four on paper the prospects aren't good. Spartans on the other hand looked solid at the back and created a few chances themselves. Whether today's efforts will catch up with part-time players in the next game on Tuesday night remains to be seen. The crowd was a little disappointing at just over 1700 - I'd have expected United to bring more  and would have thought Spartans' first competitive game as an SPFL side would have attracted more Edinburgh fans, particularly with Hearts and Hibs not playing. For now Spartans still aren't segregating supporters and in our usual spot we were in amongst United supporters. No animosity between supporters as the United fans were mostly shouting in frustration at their own players and manager (who was also manager of Aberdeen when they lost to non-league Darvel last season). Apparently afterwards some of the Spartans young crew, who make a lot of noise inside the ground that contributes to the atmosphere, were throwing bricks at one of the United supporters coaches. Fortunately no windows broken but damage still done to the vehicle. It seemed to just be a handful of young teenagers involved but still not good. Hopefully not something that continues.