Stirling students looking to end Spartans' push for a clean sweep of five honours

The students of Stirling University become the latest team to attempt to stop Spartans from achieving a clean sweep of the five local East Seniors trophies when they clash in the final of the King Cup at the Falkirk Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.15pm.

Spartans have already deposited the Central Taxis Premier Division title trophy, the Image Printers Cup and the SFA South Region Challenge Cup in their display cabinet while they are also in the semi-finals of the League Cup. However, Stirling University have finished as runners-up to Spartans in the Premier Division and lost on a penalty shoot-out in an earlier cup tie to ensure that tonight's encounter promises to be a tense affair.

Stirling University, as well as winning the Alex Jack Cup back in November, also triumphed in the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) Premier Division North.

"This has been an excellent season for Stirling University," said Raleigh Gowrie, a former Spartans player who is now the Sports Performance Manager at Stirling University. "If we can shift the ball quickly against a very good Spartans team then I am looking to unnerve them."

Stirling will be without Creag Robertson although goal- scorers Emmot Parr-Gallagher and Abraham Keller are both back to full fitness.

Spartans, meanwhile, are also looking forward to the final after winning their last league game of the season, 4-2 against Vale of Leithen, at the weekend.

"That was a big result for us because it means that it is now over two seasons since we were last beaten by an East Seniors team away from home," said Spartans co-manager, Mike Lawson.

"Tonight we take on a very good Stirling University team but we are going there determined to give ourselves a chance of lifting all the domestic trophies."

Both Alex King and David Etale are definitely out while Keith McLeod faces a late fitness test and central defender Jonny Seeley is likely to be included in the squad.