Spartans keep ticking over with game against the emerging Jambos

Spartans, the leaders of the Central Taxis Premier Division, will face a Hearts XI consisting of mainly the Tynecastle club’s Under-19 squad on the artificial surface at Ainslie Park tomorrow, kick-off 11.00am.

Spartans have already utilised their state-of-the-art facility earlier this week when they lost 2-1 to East Region Super League team Bonnyrigg Rose as they aim to maintain the players’ fitness levels over the festive period.

“Bonnyrigg had the edge early on but we steadied the ship and Chris Anderson scored which will do his confidence a lot of good,” said Mike Lawson, the Spartans co-manager. “It was good for us to give some players who have not been playing regularly some game time plus we were able to introduce some players from both our Under-21 and Under-19 squads.

“Tomorrow we will have some players who missed the game against Bonnyrigg available. We do know that Darren Murray, the Hearts Youth Coach, will bring a strong squad and we will be tested.”

Gavin Malin is unlikely to feature after suffering a hamstring injury in midweek although Kerr Dodds, who came on late in the game, could start.

The Hearts XI could also be supplemented with some of the younger age groups from Tynecastle.