Ainslie Park

Raith Rovers 2
Williamson 21, 79 pen

Hamilton Academicals 2*
Mensing 72
McGregor 90

*Hamilton Academicals win 4-1 on penalties

Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup
Saturday 18th July 2009
Kick Off: 12.30pm
Attendance: 550
Capacity: 3000 - 500 seated
Admission: £10 - weekend ticket
Programme: £2
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Ratings (out of 5)

Value for money *****
Grub ***
Ground **** great set up with room for expansion
Atmosphere ***
Entertainment ****
Referee ** ropey!
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After a long, long wait Spartans finally opened their brand spanking new Ainslie Park Stadium. Having been to two! final games at City Park I was determined to make it to the first at the new ground and the photo at the top of the page shows the stage set for the first ever game on their grass pitch. It wasn't in fact Spartans who were involved in it though but instead SPL side Hamilton Accies and First Division Raith Rovers.

The Ronnie Swan Challenge Cup was organised by Spartans to officially open their new facilities. Blyth Spartans of the Blue Square Conference North were also invited along to make up the four team tournament. It was to follow the standard pre-season tournament format with two semi-finals on the Saturday with a third place play-off and final on the Sunday.

Ainslie Park was originally due to open in time for the start of last season however after Spartans application to replace Gretna in the SFL was unsuccessful this was put back. The club finally got the keys to their new facilities last December and the astro pitch and changing facilities have been in constant use ever since. Those in charge resisted the temptation to begin playing on their new grass pitch instead allowing it to fully develop before putting it into use.

I have visited Ainslie Park a few times to watch action on the artificial surface and even got to play on it myself last month! Today was what everybody had been waiting for though and when I arrived about 12.15 the car park was already full however I found a good space on the street outside. I dare say that the Morrisons next door would also be a good option with only an extra five minute walk. It was obvious straight away that a big crowd was expected and the club had two tables set up, one for day tickets at £7 and the other for weekend tickets at £10. A very good programme had been produced for the tournament and was on sale for £2. It was mainly staffed by the clubs youth players who did an excellent job also keeping the place tidy and collecting money for charity.

As I found myself a good spot on the grass bankings the players were already out and raring to go. I was pleased to get a good photo of the kick-off and we were off! The photographs here were taken during this first game and also on the Sunday. As they show the ground has a 500 seater stand on one side with grass standing on the other three. Behind the North goal is a full length banking providing raised views while at the other end there is only a small raised area due to the presence of an artificial 5-a-side pitch. Opposite the stand is the dugouts with plenty of space for another a second stand to fitted in should it ever be required.

To the North the ground is surrounded by housing which backs on to the pitch and to the South there is a cycle/footpath with a supermarket beyond it. To the East side is the Ainslie Park Leisure Centre while on the opposite side is a large area of wasteland in front of what I think is the now boarded up Ainslie Park School building. High security fences surround the ground and green plastic mesh blocks out any free views around the pitch.

Raith Rovers were much the stronger team throughout the first half and they played some neat and tidy football. They deservedly took the lead against their loftier opposition in the 21st minute and were unlucky not to double their advantage before the break. By the time half-time came around both the Spartans and Blyth Spartans teams had arrived and joined the watching crowd. A number of 'Geordies' - should I call them that when from Blyth!? - had made the trip up North and there was even a stag do amongst them waiting to see their team in the second match.

A marquee had been put up selling beer and Football Nation had set up a stall selling various Spartans merchandise. On the Sunday this moved into the beer tent, maybe they wanted to be closer to the supplies! I wandered round these during the interval before opting to try out a seat in the stand for the second half. I bumped into a few mates in there, one of which is Raith Rovers fan who was able to fill me in on various different players. Hamilton Accies came out for the second half wearing their Brazil style away shirt as they had changed the whole team.

The second half was again a good spectacle and it was clear both sides were keen to make the final. Simon Mensing equalised for Accies in the 71st minute, after some dodgy goalkeeping, and the scoreline was a bit harsh on Raith. Shortly afterwards though the First Division side were awarded a penalty which they duly scored to put one foot in the final. Cruelly though they were denied in stoppage time when McGregor equalised for the SPL side to send the match to penalties.

The penalties were something for Raith to forget though as they missed their first two efforts and Hamilton scored all of theirs to reach the final. The referee rounded off a poor performance by failing to realise that Hamilton had in fact won and Raith almost took another penalty before he did actually blow his whistle! To be fair to him he did look like a young referee and I'm happy to put it down to a lack of experience in front of a big crowd.

Over the course of this first day the Spartans website reported that around 700 fans had come through the gates, a fantastic turnout. I decided to head for a game at Craigroyston instead of staying for the second semi-final, which Spartans eventually won, also on penalty kicks. This meant a Sunday line-up led by Blyth Spartans v Raith Rovers at 12.30pm followed by Hamilton v Spartans at 3.15pm. I was able to use my weekend ticket to see both these games the following day and around 400 fans were present at each. Raith Rovers claimed third place with an emphatic 4-2 win and it could easily have been a few more. The final was a bit of a strange affair as the Accies fielded a number of trialists and they really struggled to create a clear cut chance. Spartans on the other hand were well organised and their hard work was well rewarded with two excellent goals, one in each half, to claim the trophy.

Photographed above is the Spartans captain Stewart Fowlie lifting the Ronnie Swan trophy on the club house balcony. The club will look to lift many more from here in the future at their excellent new ground.
Club Websites:
Spartans
Raith Rovers
Blyth Spartans
Hamilton Academicals