Samuel delighted as his new-look Spartans hold Falkirk to a draw

By KEITH ANDERSON
Published on 16/07/2012 12:00

Spartans held a young Falkirk XI to a goalless draw in the first competitive game for the Ainslie Park outfit’s new manager Douglas Samuel.

Samuel, who took over at the end of last season, introduced new signings Gary Cennerrazzo from Edinburgh City and Mark Whatley from Tayport Juniors.

Spartans should have taken the lead on the 15-minute mark when a Sean Wringe cross found Jordan Finnie who hit a first-time shot from close range which Graham Bowman saved well. The rebound fell to the normally reliable Keith McLeod but he did not connect properly and the chance was lost. In the second half Tyler Fulton headed the ball into the Spartans net but from an offside position.

Samuel said: “We are delighted with our performance because we showed a real desire to pass the ball and at times we retained it very well. I think that after the opening 20 minutes, when the game was played at a high tempo after Falkirk came out of the blocks really well, we settled into a good shape and overall I was very pleased.

“Our new signings did really well and I was delighted to give everybody minutes on the pitch. It was money in the bank in terms of fitness levels for the season ahead.”

Spartans: Flockhart, Manson, Cennerrazzo, Sivewright, MacKinnon, Grant, Whatley, Anderson, Finnie, McLeod, Wringe. Subs: Milligan, Woodburn, Donnelly, Bremner, Gilpin.

Falkirk XI: Bowman, Greene, Turnbull, McGeever, Fulton, Faulds, Brisbane, Comrie, Small, Grant, McGrandles. Subs: Sibbald, McNab, Campbell, Flynn, McKinlay.