Spartans are urgently needing a goalkeeper for its under 17 girls team. If you would like an opportunity to join this friendly group of players please contact John Douglas johnjdouglas1@sky.com or come along to one of our training sessions click here for details.

Spartans travelled North to Aberdeen for a crucial league match sitting one place behind their opponents who occupy 5th place. 

Spartans started well but it was Aberdeen who twice found the back of the net through Rebecca Dempster. Spartans had to roll up their sleeves and fight their way back into the game a thunderous

Spartans Reserves: Jeanfield Swifts 1 Spartans 3 Spartans travelled to Perthshire on Scottish Cup 1st Round duty and goals from Sharon Hughes, Anne Smollett and Helen Lyon means we go into the hat for the second round draw.

Under 17: Spartans 2 Hutchison Vale 2 Goals from Sophie Cunningham and Emily

Spartans travelled to Glasgow to meet Hamilton in a re-arranged league fixture with the first game of the league campaign in March postponed due to snow.

Spartans scored two quick goals Lou Mason in 5 minutes and Sarah Ewens in 7 minutes. A further Sarah Ewens strike in the 75th minute wrapped up the points and move Spartans up to 6th place in the league. 

Under 15: Hearts 0 Spartans 3 Spartans met Hearts for the second time having beaten them in the league 4-1 away at the weekend. This time the on-form Sophie Cunningham fired in a hat-trick to give us a League Cup win.

Spartans welcomed Rangers to Ainslie Park for the first time in the league this season.

A first half Megan Sneddon twenty yard strike that smashed of the underside of the bar was all that separated the two teams by the final whistle. Click here for photos

Spartans Reserves: Spartans 6 Musselburgh Windsor 0 Spartans had a convincing win against Windsor to leapfrog them into second place in the league. 

Under 15: Hearts 1 Spartans 4 Spartans kept their 100% league record intact with victory over Hearts. Doubles from Sophie Cunningham and Georgia Adderley gave Spartans the win.

Scottish League Cup

Semi-final

Hibernian 1 Spartans 2

Spartans reached their fifth Scottish Premier League Cup Final in six years beating fellow city rivals Hibernian 2-1 at New Victoria Park, Newtongrange. Spartans took the lead early on in this semi-final encounter when Louise Mason stole the ball off of Siobhan Hunter before placing it under the keeper and into the back of the net. Spartans doubled their lead after 68 minutes when Sarah Ewens flicked the ball into the back of the net after latching onto a mix-up in the Hibs defence. Hibs did reduce the deficit in injury time through a Katey Turner tap in but Spartans held on to book their place in the final.

Spartans continued their impressive league and cup form with a 5-0 victory over local rivals Hutchison Vale in the Scottish Women’s Premier League at Ainslie Park. After going into half time all square, the home side took control with goals from Claire Crosbie, Elliss Jenkins, Diana Barry and a Kirsty McLaughlin brace sealing the victory.  Full Match Report...................

Under 15: Hutchison Vale 1 Spartans 3 Spartans did the double over Hutchison Vale with an away victory at Saughton. A double from last weeks hat-trick hero Ronaigh Douglas and one from Grace Molloy gave the girls the victory.

Under 15:

Bonnyrigg 1 Spartans 7 After a 5-1 victory away to Boroughmuir midweek Spartans travelled to Bonnyrigg on league duty and again found their shooting boots with a handsome victory. Goals by Ronaigh Douglas (3), Sophie Cunningham (2), Grace Molloy and Abbie McGinn gave Spartans the victory. Spartans next game is away to Hutchison Vale in the3 league next Sunday 04 May.

Murieston 0 Spartans Reserves 11 The Reserves made the trip to Murieston and recorded an 11-0 league victory. Goals by Rhona Stewart (3), Maggie Donald (2), Nichola Sturrock, Heather Laing, Emma Stewart, Helen Lyon, Emma McNaughton and Laura McRitchie gave Spartans the victory.

Spartans U17 played host to Forfar Real Farmington in treacherous conditions on Sunday with the home side going down 6-1 at Ainslie Park.

Spartans, having lost the toss, started the game against the wind and were a goal down inside five minutes as Forfar’s Katy Dickson found the back of the net. No sooner had the visitors got their opener they struck again, getting three goals through Lyndsey Dunbar (2) and Laura Parsley. Spartans were struggling to deal with the Forfar’s attack with the back four being stretched by the pace of play and the awful conditions. However the home side did manage to pull a goal back through a Sophie Cunningham strike after the striker managed to get onto a through ball.

However the respite for Spartans was short lived as Forfar’s Murron White scored their fifth just before the end of the first half.

Spartans started the second half much stronger and with the wind at their backs created several chances but were unable to convert them. The visitors sealed the 6-1 victory with Chloe Dunn putting the ball into the back of the net.

Spartans Weekend Roundup

SWPL: Hibernian 7 Spartans 1

Spartans suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of capital rivals Hibernian in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, going down 7-1 at Albyn Park, Broxburn.

The home side took the lead inside ten minutes with Kirsty Smith lobbing the ball home from 40 yards out and even though Spartans equalised through an Alana Marshall top corner shot, her first for the club, Hibs took a 4-1 advantage into the break with further strikes from Caroline Weir, Susan Fairlie and Claire Williamson. Hibs continued to cause Spartans defence problems and were further ahead with Fairlie getting two quick goals to complete her hat trick. The home side sealed the 7-1 victory minutes from time with Katey Turner firing home from inside the box.  Click here for photos

Spartans Weekend Roundup

SWPL: Spartans 1 Glasgow City 3

Glasgow City maintained their unbeaten start to the 2013 season coming from behind to beat Spartans 3-1 in a hard fought game at Ainslie Park.

Spartans took the lead in their first league game of 2013 right at the end of the first half through a Kirsty McLaughlin strike.  However the visitors were ahead shortly after half time scoring two quick goals through a Lisa Robertson tap in and a Ruesha Littlejohn strike. City sealed the victory in the 90^th minute with Suzanne Malone firing in from close range taking the three points back to Glasgow. Read more........... 

Click here for photos

Spartans Weekend Roundup

SWPL

Spartans Premier League side were left clicking their heels as the league opener was postponed due to Hamilton's home venue falling victim to the weekend snowfall.

Spartans triumph in Edinburgh Derby

Hearts Development 1 Spartans Reserves 10

Spartans Reserves made it two wins in two in their 2013 league campaign with a 10-1
victory against Hearts Development team.  After going a goal down through an Allanah MacFarlane strike, the Ainslie Park side took control with Emma Stewart and Anne Smollett (left) both getting their hat tricks, along with goals from Hayley Cross, Maggie Donald and a brace from Rona Stewart. Read more.......

at Ainslie Park. Goals from Sophie Cunningham (2) and Grace

Molloy secured the victory in extreme conditions and, even though Boroughmuir came close to closing the deficit, it was the home side who took all three points. Read more.............

U17's Spartans 1 East Fife 1

Spartans Under 17s kicked their season off at a cold and wet Ainslie Park with a 1-1 draw against East Fife. After taking the lead in the first period through a Courtney Reid header, East Fife, against the run of play, equalised with only five minutes remaining on the clock. Read more............

Scottish Women's Premier League Cup Round 1

Spartans 4 Falkirk 2

Under 13

Stockbridge PS  5 Spartans 7

The new Spartan’s Whites Girls under 13 team played in a local Derby Cracker with Stockbridge Primary in a pre-season warm up for next week’s Opener. Stockbridge who fielded several new Spartans recruits in their line up invited Spartans to Broughton High School for the showdown with the sun shining and a large crowd on the sidelines. Spartans started strongly and their Strike force of Donna Douglas and Gemma Cunningham were in top form scoring all 7 of the Spartan’s Goals in a well fought 7-5 win. The Game was played in a high tempo spirit with neither side holding back in their efforts. Spartans, captained by Taylor Fisher who has recently

returned to the club, setting a magnificent example encouraging her teammates all through the games with a string of very strong performances, go into the new season in good form.

Spartans Whites Head Coach Grant Cunningham said “we have had a great pre-season with many of the girls stepping up from under 11’s and many new girls joining the club, we are delighted with the progress the girls are making and look forward to the new season together”

Under 15

Forfar Farmington 2 Spartans 4

Full Match Report

Spartans 1 Hutchison Vale 1

Spartans continued their unbeaten preseason form at the start of this 2013 campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Hutchison Vale at Ainslie Park.

Both teams tested the opposition’s goalkeeper in the early stages of this friendly Edinburgh derby with neither team able to break the deadlock until Sarah Ewens long range power drive eased the advantage for the home side. However with only ten minutes remaining Kat Smart broke clear of the Spartans defence to slot the equalising goal into the back of the net.

Full Match Report and Photos

Spartans Stay Alert

Spartans Rachel Harrison and Alert Goalkeeping have teamed up for the second season in succession meaning the specialist designer and supplier of gloves will continue to help keep the ball out of the Spartans net.

Alert was established in 2011 by Willie Spence, the son of former Queens Park, Falkirk, Clydebank and Ayr United Keeper Billy Spence, to provide a uniquely designed glove that was previously unavailable on the market. Willie himself has played in goals for

Spartans 9 Kilwinning 2

Spartans welcomed Premier League newcomers Kilwinning to the Academy for a friendly today.

Spartans welcomed back Rachel Harrison, Kirsty McLaughlin and Stephanie Briggs from International camp after they missed out on last weeks friendly.

In windy conditions four goals from the impressive Kirsty Mclaughlin (left), doubles from Diana Barry and Sarah Ewens and one from Louise Mason gave Spartans a 9-2 victory. Spartans were able to give their squad a run out and increase game fitness in readiness for the forthcoming season.

Thanks to Kilwinning for making their first trip to the Spartans Academy, they worked hard throughout and made Spartans work for their goals. We wish them all the best for the

Allan Embraces Spartans

Spartans have three reasons to be grateful with the introduction of Allan Harkness to the Women's coaching staff, the signing of Rebecca Zoltie and the sponsorship of Rebecca by Allan's company Heriothill Garage for the season 2013.

Allan and Rebecca joined the Spartans family from Hibernian Ladies where Allan coached the U17's and Rebecca was part of the Women's first team. What has certainly been Hibs loss is Spartans gain, both have shown

Steph Signs On For Spartans

By Edmund Brown

Spartans are delighted to announce the signing of former Hutchison Vale and Scotland Under 19 midfielder Stephanie Briggs.

Briggs put pen to paper at Ainslie Park tonight after returning from her weekend away with the Scotland Under 19 squad.

After playing in a squad game last weekend for the North Edinburgh team, Briggs is delighted to finally become a Spartan. She said: “Words cannot describe how I’m feeling right now. I’m so excited and relieved to finally sign on the dotted line. I’ve wanted to be a member of the Spartans family for some time and now I am. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Spartans Manager Debbi McCulloch believes Spartans have signed one of Scotland’s top young stars and she cannot wait to see her playing in the red and white of the North Edinburgh side. She said: “I’m delighted to see Steph put pen to paper and we welcome her into the Spartans family. We saw in the squad game last week, where she played in both midfield and at fullback that she brings a

Spartans Manager Debbi McCulloch feels that the inclusion of these top players is a great achievement for the club. She said: “I’m absolutely delighted for these three players who all had great seasons last year. Rachel’s performances were top class in goals last year as were Alana’s after joining from Rangers. Kirsty spent a season at Hibs last year and was brilliant in their midfield hence why we were determined to re-sign her. Not only is this a fantastic reward for these three players but it’s great for the younger players to see the achievements made by their peers and hopefully  they can aspire towards this in the years to come.”