It was a share of the spoils in the opening SWPL 2 Edinburgh Derby of the season with Spartans and Boroughmuir Thistle picking up a point each in a goalless draw at the Vanloq Community Stadium.
Spartans Manager Jack Beesley made personnel changes to the starting XI that defeated East Fife last time out, including Ava Crawford who was on International Duty having captained the Scotland Women u17s side in Finland this week.
New signing Lucy Mundy took up a spot on the bench along with Olivia Hurrell and Zara Andrews who have made significant inroads on their road to recovery following injury.
It was the first time the teams had met since September 2010 and Spartans looked to maintain both their unbeaten start to the campaign and against their current local rivals.
The game itself started off in nervous and scrappy fashion with both sides gaining and surrendering possession in equal measure.
It was the visitors who had the first opportunity of the game. A cross swung in to the back post saw Alicia Yates get a palm to the ball under pressure then a subsequent goal line clearance from Ronaigh Douglas maintained the scoreboard status quo.
CaCee McKenna was then sent up the touchline before delivering a neat cross that fell to Sarah Clelland and her effort forced a save from Beth Rennie between the Boroughmuir sticks.
Clelland then had an audacious 25 yard effort that had the pace however Rennie was in the right place to save at the first time of asking.
HT: Spartans 0-0 Boroughmuir Thistle
Izzy Young had an early burst into the box before squaring to Natalie Bandura however the SWPL 2 Player of the Month saw her shot blocked.
Jack Beesley looked to shuffle his pack in an attempt to break down Boroughmuir midway through the half with the introduction of Lily Park and debutant Lucy Mundy who replaced Murchie and Davies.
Alicia Yates found herself called into action with a fine diving save as the game entered the final quarter of an hour with both sides unable to find that elusive goal.
New recruit Mundy was keen to make an early impression as she hustled in the box at a series of Spartans corners however Referee McAlpine deemed her attentions on Rennie worthy of the whistle on a couple of occasions, much to the striker’s frustrations.
With the game long into injury time, the visitors pressed one last time looking for a smash and grab moment however up stepped Captain Robyn McCafferty to leap and head the ball to safety one final time.
FT: Spartans 0-0 Boroughmuir Thistle
Player of the Match: Hannah Cunningham
(Match Report: Mark Brown)
