Sam: I’ll turf it out to help seal play-offs

PERSONAL trainer Sam Jones is ready to get down in the dirt for Spartans’ promotion bid – even if clients wonder why he’s the one struggling in sessions.

Ochilview hosts a first versus second clash today, albeit Stenhousemuir’s 16-point lead is a chasm.

Jones came in for only his second start this term in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Bonnyrigg. He’s still clocked up 20 appearances, with any personal frustration outweighed by how well the SPFL new boys are doing.

The midfielder’s starts came on surfaces not known for being pretty and he said: “I’d prefer to play on a nice flat astro where the ball moves in a way you know where it’s going to go.

“But it’s experience I have probably had from a younger age, playing at Penicuik for three years and lots of old junior parks.

“It is definitely heavy on the legs the next day – the demos for clients aren’t as clean and smooth!”

Not only is the gap to the top in double digits, an 11point one exists for Jones and Co in the play-off spots.

Knowing the demands from last year, he said: “If you could secure the playoffs a couple of weeks in advance, there is a great opportunity to start thinking, ‘Can we rest a few guys, make sure recovery is perfect?’.

“That would allow us to focus on the bigger picture and what can come next.”

James Berry came in last weekend for his first Stenny start since August, albeit it was his 31st appearance of a season that featured a 12-game winning streak.

The midfielder said: “It was always my challenge after I joined Stirling when four years came to an end at uni, ‘Could I push myself and get back up into the leagues?’. It’s been great to be back part of that and whatever way this season ends, it’ll be a successful one for me being back in the professional game.”