"Although the game was postponed we had stayed the evening at a hotel in Inverness and that enabled the players to get together in a bonding exercise," explained Lawson.

"We have a few new players this season including Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Nicky Walker, Daryl Devlin, Gavin Malin and Scott Livingstone so it gave them an opportunity to meet and spend more time with our older and more experienced players.

"That was a huge bonus, so it was not a wasted trip, in fact it actually proved to be worthwhile."

Spartans have now made two abortive trips in this season's Scottish Cup as their second-round tie against Annan Athletic at Galabank was also postponed only 90 minutes before kick-off.

Spartans won the rearranged fixture 2-1 with goals from Ross Archibald and Gavin Malin to set up this match with SFL Third Division basement team, Elgin City.

"It is incredible that we are only in the first week in December and Spartans have already had seven games postponed this season," said Lawson.

"This has annulled any sense of continuity this season and it seems that we have suffered more than most teams. It is nobody's fault but let's hope that there is a thaw before Saturday afternoon because we are all set to leave by coach at 8.30 in the morning.

"It would be a nightmare if it was postponed again because the game would then be rescheduled for next Monday evening with a 7.45pm kick-off and that would be really difficult to get players away from work and up to Elgin."

The weather has not just played havoc with the game but also training facilities for the Spartans.

"It has been difficult to find suitable training facilities although that will change for the better when Spartans' new Soccer Academy opens tomorrow," added Lawson.

"We have worked really hard this week and a bonus for us is that striker Struan Preston should be fit enough to be included in the squad which travels north.

"Alex King also trained well this week and his hip injury sustained in training two weeks ago is much better although he is still a concern."

Lawson is mindful that Spartans lost 5-2 to Dalbeattie Star in their latest fixture while Elgin City were beaten 5-0 by Annan Athletic who Spartans defeated in the previous round of the Scottish Cup.

"These results are now deep in the mists of history," stressed Lawson. "We are going to Elgin knowing that whoever wins on Saturday will play Airdrie United in the next round.

"I personally think that it is a bigger carrot for Spartans players than it will be for Elgin City. Airdrie are a really good incentive for us and hopefully that will give us a wee edge.

"However, Elgin have lost their last four games and that one-week break might have helped them get these results out of their system.

"We don't suffer defeats too often and although it was only a fortnight ago that Dalbeattie beat us it seems like we are starting the season all over again.

"Football to me, since I first became a professional nearly 40 years ago, is about playing at three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon and we are raring to go.

"We have beaten better teams than Elgin City in previous Scottish Cup campaigns but we have also been knocked out of the old Scottish Qualifying Cup by teams that we should have beaten.

"What I am saying is that cup football is completely different from league football and we definitely have a chance on Saturday. Obviously Elgin City will be thinking exactly the same.

"They play at a higher level week in and week out but we are capable of raising our game. However, we need to play really well and get an even break which we did not get in our recent game against Dalbeattie.

"Maybe the breaks are destined to fall for us in the Scottish Cup."