Weather the only winner in big freeze

THE continuing inclement weather meant that the entire East of Scotland League fixture card was wiped out again at the weekend, causing fixture secretary Kenny McLean more headaches for the next three months.

"During last season, which was the worst for postponements ever by some margin, a total of 138 games were put off during the course of the season," said McLean.

"This season there have already been 105 postponements. There remain 81 league games and 44 cup games to be completed with 12 weeks available until the season's end.

"The only club with a fully blown backlog is Whitehill Welfare who have a potential 23 games still to play but there are only 20 dates available and there is still the potential for more postponements. Several other clubs including Gretna, Stirling University and Vale of Leithen are also running well behind and we are therefore endeavouring to use every floodlit game possible.

"Although Saturday-Monday-Wednesday games will be avoided if at all possible, it will be required for any club with more games left than dates.

"We currently remain on track to complete the East of Scotland season over the weekend of May 22-23. My aim is to ensure that no club has to play three games per week unless unavoidable; ensure that all cup finals are played at weekends and make promotion and/or relegation races finish concurrently for all clubs involved, weather permitting."

Spartans managed to beat the freeze by arranging a last-minute friendly against Easthouses Lily at their 3G artificial pitch at Ainslie Park.

Spartans won the match 4-1, despite going behind when Caylor smashed a shot from 20 yards that rocketed into the net.

Spartans continued to apply pressure and it was only a matter of time before they were level. Kader broke into the box he was tripped and a penalty was awarded, McLeod firing low into the net. Just before the interval, King went on a great run and fired the ball low and hard across the face of goal, Kidd made an effort to clear the danger but ended up putting the ball in his own net.

In the second half, McLeod got his second of the afternoon when he broke into the Lily box and he smashed a shot from close range that left Hynd with no chance. After a great performance, Hoskins finally got on the scoresheet when he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and drilled the bal low into the net.

Mikey Lawson, Spartans co-manager, said: "We are fortunate enough to have the 3G surface as this has allowed us to keep ticking over when other teams are not getting games. I hope that in the future we can use the 3G surface to play competitive games."