Spartans Cup Win

We were Underdogged

Inverness made three changes from their KDM Trophy win at Firhill in midweek. In came Danny Devine, Joe Chalmers and Paul Allan for Oscar MacIntyre, Jordan Alonge and Adam Mackinnon. Spartans had plenty of experience in their ranks with former Caley Jag Sean Welsh in their side.

Inverness were dominant over the first half with Paddy Martin the busier keeper with four or five saves. However it was all square at the interval. The same after ninety minutes and extra time came and went with Paddy Martin still unbeaten.

Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An early opportunity for Billy Mckay was cleared off the line with Paddy Martin saving the rebound effort from Alfie Bavidge. Danny Devine saw his header turned wide and five minutes before the break an Alfie Stewart corner went close to going in. Not a great deal of clear chances in the first half but Paddy Martin again denied Billy Mckay with a superb save to keep the score level at half time.

HALF TIME: 0-0 

 David Wotherspoon replaced Alfie Bavidge at the break and Billy Mckay was again denied by the keeper at the expense of a fruitless corner. The game was more open after the interval with Spartans looking for their chances to hit the visitors when they can with Marc McNulty and Mark Stowe prominent for the hosts. However, the Caley Jags were building a head of steam as the game passed the hour. With twenty minutes left Zimba, MacKinnon and Longstaff refreshed our attack. Martin pushed a powerful MacKinnon effort over the bar but the bigger shock almost came at the other end when James Craigen crashed a half volley from the edge of the box off the bar above Ross Munro. Luis Longstaff did the same at the other end minutes later as chances became more frequent, his header was turned onto the bar by the keeper before being scrambled clear. Spartans were still well into this game as the clock ticked down to ninety minutes and the possibility of extra time and penalties is getting closer as we ticked into time added on. Inverness did put the ball in the net at the death but it was flagged offside. No more than Spartans deserved for their dogged display. Plenty possession for the visitors and plenty opportunities to score, but Paddy Martin is the main reason this game will go further having pulled of a string of saves during ninety minutes.

FULL TIME: 0-0

Extra Time coming up.

Into extra time we went and still the game remained goalless with Kieron Willox replacing Joe Chalmers for the last half of extra time and his debut for Inverness. Despite dominating most aspects of this tie, it would be decided by penalty kicks, something we practiced in midweek. Alas it did us no good as we flopped when it really mattered.

Extra time Full Time: 0-0

• Craigen ⚽

• Spoony ⛔

• Russell ⚽

• Zimba ⛔

• Dishington ⚽

• Longstaff ✔️

• Scott ⛔

• Millen ✔️

• Nair 🎯 4-2

• Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties

Some you win some you lose, but that might just rank as the worst Scottish Cup defeat in our history.

Take nothing away from Spartans, enjoy your day and good luck in the next round.

We certainly enjoyed a few underdog days out... 🏆

 Well done Paddy, some shift

Date:  17/01/2026  Venue: Ainslie Park, Edinburgh Attendance: 0858 Referee: Iain Sneddon
 
Spartans: 0 (4 pens)

• Manager: Douglas Samuel

• Lineup:  Martin; Watson, Tapping, Sonkur, Drysdale (Dall 81), Craigen, Welsh (Nair 106),

• Aiken (Russell 68), Stowe (Waugh 81), McNulty (Scott 99), Dishington

• Subs (not used):  Carsewell, Chisolm, Ndlovu, Wylie

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Tapping (85), Craigen (90+3)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 0 (2 pens)

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (MacKinnon 69), Allan (Alonge 82),

• Chalmers (Willox 106), Bavidge (Wotherspoon 46), Stewart (Zimba 69), B Mckay (Longstaff 69)

• Subs (not used): Ross; MacLeod, MacIntyre

• Scorers: none

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none