Historic Match

Spartans first ever league fixture in the SPFL this afternoon, against Clyde. Interestingly the same opponents as my first game at Ainslie Park. Back then Clyde were a league above Spartans and it was a Scottish Cup game. In the years since that game Clyde did get into League One for a few seasons, only to be relegated last season in the play-offs, losing to Annan Athletic in the final. Clyde started better and took the lead after about 25 minutes, a straightforward header just in front of where I was standing on the touchline. Spartans were much more in the game in the second half meaning I again got a better view of the action and they finally got the equaliser their play deserved, albeit from a slightly scrappy shot that trundled its way though legs and into the net. The game finished 1-1 and Spartans league campaign is underway. Remains to be seen how they get on. The crowd was 627 - just a few more than there were for that cup tie back in 2014 and respectable enough in the context of League Two where the other games were watched by 686, 682, 542 and 402 respectively. Spartans had tried to persuade season ticket holders from the other Edinburgh teams, none of whom were playing in Edinburgh today, by offering half price entry but judging by the size of the crowd it didn't look to have had much impact on the attendance on what was an historic occasion for football in the city. I wonder what Spartans will get for regular fixtures as the season wears on.