Spartans not sure what to expect from Hislop's Whitehill

Spartans boss Dougie Samuel believes his team are facing something of the unknown when they face a Whitehill Welfare side under new management in tonight's Ferrari Packaging Lowland League Cup first-round tie at Ferguson Park.
Steven Hislop has recently taken over as manager of Whitehill Welfare. Pic: Colin WrightSteven Hislop has recently taken over as manager of Whitehill Welfare. Pic: Colin Wright
Steven Hislop has recently taken over as manager of Whitehill Welfare. Pic: Colin Wright

When asked if the arrival of Steven Hislop and David Bingham in Roswell make their old rivals a different proposition, Samuel replied: “Oh god yeah. Spartans-Whitehill games are always a bit special, but it’s tricky for all of us now because nobody knows how Hissy wants to set his side up.

“We’re not quite going in blind, but it’ll certainly be a different test with Hissy at the helm.”

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If next week’s South Challenge Cup quarter-final against Glasgow University goes Whitehill’s way, then tonight will be the first of a trilogy of games between them and Spartans before the season’s out.

“The way it’s worked out we’re gong to be playing them quite a few times,” said Samuel. “It’s always difficult when you play teams two or three times in the space of a fortnight. There’s that familiarity and there’s maybe incidents that carry over from one game in to the other, so I’m always slightly nervous when that’s the case. Just now we’re down to bare bones so I’ll need to call in some Under 20s.”

Elsewhere, Preston Athletic host Threave Rovers in the Lowland League.