The start of the season is always a big game and both teams wanted to get off to a good start in their opening fixture. We had failed to win in pre season but an excellent second half performance against Raith in our final pre season friendly gave us a great boost of confidence before the tie with Forfar.

We got off to the best start possible, by opening the scoring within five minutes. Great work from Maggie Donald on the right hand side of the midfield allowed her time within the penalty area before her attempted cut back was bashed off the legs of the oncoming Anne Smollett by Forfar defender Emily Phillips. The ball spun in to the far corner of the net leaving Jodie Fyffe in the Forfar goal stranded.

However, the long and narrow pitch and uneven playing surface was making the game a real battle with both teams flying in to challenges hard. One such tackle from Maggie Donald on Cherle Ridgen gave Forfar a free kick on the half way line which was taken quickly, catching the Spartans defence off guard. The ball rebounded to Robyn Smith on the edge of the box, but her tame shot was easily dealt with by Steph Ireland in the Spartans goal.

Spartans always looked dangerous on the counter attack, and on the twelve minute Laura McRitchie’s high driven shot from the edge of the area nearly extended the lead.

Spartans then lost Laura Fallen to injury when she pulled up when chasing down the ball in the 17^th minute. The unfortunate event lead to a chance for Forfar captain Judy Young, but Steph made another easy save.

Young was causing many problems for the Spartans defence through her ability to hold the ball up and flick the ball in to spaces for her team mates to chase. One such flick, in the 21^st minute, got Jade McDonald  in behind the Spartans defence, but her cross was again cut out by Steph Ireland.

It was Spartans who scored next. Emma Cursons high volley came back of the cross bar and fell to the head of Ellyn Goldie who steered the ball in to the empty net to score on her debut for the team.

Spartans then increased their lead before half time when Anne Smollet sprinted away from the Forfar defence to slot the ball beyond the on rushing Fyffe and in to the far corner of the net on her weaker foot.

HALF TIME: Forfar 0-3 Spartans

The second half was a different story. Forfar came out of the blocks at a frantic pace and created enough chances to win the game, but only a combination of great six yard box defending from the Spartans back four and great goalkeeping from Steph Ireland gave Spartans the win.

Spartans actually created the first chance of the half, when substitute Helen Lyon found herself with the ball at her feet three yard from goal, but her choice to take an extra touch allowed the Forfar defence to clear the ball before she could shoot.

Forfar pulled one back on the 51^st minute when Phillips corner was turned in by Rachel Wilson from point blank range.

Steph Ireland then made a string of saves from Young, Smith and MacDonald to keep Spartans in the lead.

With the game coming to an end, Young hit the post with a great strikers effort, and Smith saw her rebound blocked by Michelle Magee.

Spartans saw the game through to claim their first points of the season. It was far from a vintage performance, but it was a job well done against a good Forfar team.

FINAL SCORE: Spartans 3-1 Forfar

Spartans team: Steph Ireland, Lisa Miklejohn, Noreen Pinkman, Michelle Magee, Laura Fallen (Cat McCready 17), Maggie Donald (Hannah Craig 62), Heather Laing, Emma Curson, Laura McRitchie, Ellyn Goldie (Helen Lyon 46), Anne Smollett (Emma Hingnant 84) Sub not used: Laura Thomson

Scorers: Anne Smollett 4, 44 Ellyn Goldie 23

Man of the Match: Steph Ireland

Management Thoughts:

We don’t do anything easy! The first game of the season is always tough, and that game really showed how tough the season is going to be.

Today we were clinical in front of goal and made our chances count. Anne’s second goal in particular was impressive, and it was good to see Ellyn score her first Spartans goal.

But we are going to have to defend better and play at a higher tempo if we are going to compete next week against a very good Hearts team. We are a wee bit short on the ground next week but should have Tara and Louise available should there registrations come through in time. Gordon, Lisa and I are going to have to have a think about the best way to approach the game.

As for today: the words ‘snatch’ and ‘grab’ spring to mind. But who am I to shy away from three points!