Spartans started the game nervously, whereas Kilwinning started brightly however, the defensive work the Spartans Girls had been working on at training was already paying off. Spartans were happy to let Kilwinning have ball and were working well as a rigid, defensive unit however when we were in possession we were too anxious and often gave the ball straight back to the Kilwinning midfield.

Kilwinning were being restricted to long shots and long passes that would run through to Steph in goal. However, they had a massive claim for a penalty when Fallon made a fantastic save from a Kilwinning striker’s shot. Shame Fallon was playing in the back four and not in goal. Somehow the ref never saw it and waved play on.

Slowly Spartans grew in to the game, and eventually took the lead when Maggie Donald slotted the ball past the Kilwinning keeper after good work from Laura McRitchie. Itchy was looking more and more dangerous, as her pace was causing the Kilwinning defence a lot of problems.

Spartans were growing in confidence, and were beginning to look more dangerous, but were pegged back as Kilwinning scored two goals just before half time to go in ahead at the break.

The second half was almost all Spartans. We were playing so well that we were in danger of looking like a football team at times.

This was epitomised when Spartans played an 11 pass move involving Heather, H, Cat, Michelle, Lindsey, Lesley, Noreen and finally a shot over the bar from Ellyn. But if we play our football like that this year then we could even put Arsenal to shame (or maybe not).

Spartans eventually equalised with ten minutes to go when Natasha Robbins barged past the Kilwinning defence and slotted her shot under the Kilwinning keeper.

Even though it was only a friendly, you could tell both teams wanted the win. Kilwinning had a good chance from a brilliant move when there left winger drifted in to the box and was just tripped before she got her shot away. Steph still had to make a fantastic save. Should it have been a penalty?

Then Spartans won a corner. Ellyn drifted the ball in on top of the goalkeeper, who seemed to push the ball of the underside of the bar. Ellyn was celebrating a goal for a good twenty seconds before she realised it didn’t count. Was it a goal?

Final Score: Kilwinning 2 – 2 Spartans B

Spartans B: Steph Ireland, Tasha Robbins, Eilidh, Laura Fallen, Jen Robertson, Heather Laing, Heather Smart, Laura McRitchie, Noreen Pinkman, Laura Thomson, Maggie Donald, Lindsey, Lesley Graham, Ellyn Goldie, Cat McCready, Michelle Magee