East of Scotland side Spartans were the visitors to Stirling University and seemed to be smarting from missing out on winning league status with a blistering first half showing.

Three quick-fire goals from the Edinburgh side in the first 30 minutes were too much for the young Bairns to make up, with the game eventually finishing 3-1.

Academy spokesman Ross Wilson told Heraldsport: "It was an extremely difficult game and at first we were very disappointed with the performance.

"But, after speaking to some other people who were there and looking back at the DVD of the game, it was maybe not as bad as we first
thought.

"Spartans just beat East Fife, who won the Third Division and have spent a lot of money, which shows the capability of their team.

"There was some decent passing on show, but we lost bad goals from cross balls which should have been defended better and that is something we need to improve."

The only consolation from a torrid first-half was a goal from Jay Lang and Ross was pleased to see the midfielder get on the scoresheet.

"Jay wants to add goals to his game and it's something we have also been trying to get him to do," Ross explained.

"He is already a talented player so if he could score some goals it would be fantastic."

Tomorrow (Friday) the U19s take on Livingston and Ross is expecting a hard game against the First Division side.

"It will be a difficult match against a youth set-up that has produced many good players and always has good teams," he said.

"They have had a few financial difficulties in recent years and, I suppose, we have taken advantage of that by bringing in players like Lang and Chris Mitchell."

Next week the youngsters will move up another level in their preparation when they take on Premiership side Wigan on Monday.

"That is one that the boys and I are looking forward to as well," added Ross. "It will be a really tough test against good opposition.

"I saw them recently in the Lancashire Cup final against Blackpool and they showed plenty of quality.

"They are very good going forward, but are a bit weaker at the back – so it should be an excellent match for us."

With time running out before the season's kick-off Ross revealed himself to be reasonably content with the make-up of the squad.

He said: "We have managed to bring in the main players who we had targeted. But there is still a chance we will possibly bring in another one."

Either way, the pre-season preparations have been going to plan.

"It's been very good, and probably the most pleasing aspect has been the fact that we have had no major injuries," added Ross.

"The coaching staff and myself have been absolutely delighted with how the boys have been training – every one followed their personal summer plan and that is now bearing fruit as we gear up for the campaign ahead."

It has also been confirmed that the SPL U19 league fixtures will mirror those of the Falkirk first team during the forthcoming season.

That means their first three games will see them take on Rangers at Stirling and then Hibernian and Celtic away.