This weekend it’s all about Storm Eowyn! At time of writing we weren’t aware of how the storm could potentially affect the fixture card – to be honest we’re still not.
I presume that some fixtures won’t make it, and I hope it’s not because of damage or injury. Be safe out there.
It’s only fitba at the end of the day.
Hearts B vs East Kilbride
This preview was written before the match was called off due to the RED WEATHER WARNING but you might as well have it. You can imagine the match in your head and tweet us what the score was…
East Kilbride are on a run of five wins in five matches and come into this one with a five point advantage over second placed Caledonian Braves… with two games in hand. Confidence is sky high at K Park at the moment and it feels like this match might be a boost rather than a dent to their title chances.
Hearts B go into this match outside the top half of the table despite showing much improved form in the last few matches. They’ll know that Friday night under the Ainslie Park lights might provide them with a slight benefit against the reigning champions, but East Kilbride will be the favourites as the visitors.
Albion Rovers vs Cowdenbeath
You know what? I think this will be one of the best matches of the weekend. Why do I think that? Because both sides are going through a bit of an unpredictable patch. Cowdenbeath have arrested their relegation-seeking form and currently find themselves in 12th place, while Albion Rovers are on a run of fairly indifferent form but remain in 7th.
In truth, only seven points separate the two sides and it’s not hard to imagine this becoming a battle for positions over the next few matches.
Broomhill vs University of Stirling
Broomhill’s run of four defeats in the last five belies the fact that their performances have been much improved and Dumbarton’s newest team have been scoring plenty of goals. They’ll need that against a University of Stirling side who lie eight points ahead of them in the league but are sitting on the same goal difference.
Matches between these two sides are always intriguing and occasionally beguiling fixtures and folk heading along to the Dumbarton Stadium are likely to be in for an enjoyable ninety minutes of action.
Civil Service Strollers vs Broxburn Athletic
Civil Service Strollers exited the EOS Qualifying Cup, beaten on penalties by Linlithgow Rose in midweek. It’s been a bit of a tough run for Gary Jardine’s side recently, with their last win in the league in early December against Berwick Rangers. Plenty of cup involvement has been the name of the game for Strollers since and they’ll be keen to get back to league action and continue their push towards the top half of the division.
Broxburn suffered a rough defeat in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last weekend, exiting the competition after a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Ayr United. However, the Brox’s league form has been decent with two wins in their last three and a healthy Goals For column to boot.
Cumbernauld Colts vs Celtic B
Cumbernauld Colts’ new manager John Doyle faces an uphill struggle with his new charges still stuck at the foot of the table. Four defeats in the last five is the story of their recent matches and Doyle will know that things need to change in fairly short order to get things moving in the right direction for Broadwood’s finest.
That will be a challenge this weekend as they welcome Celtic B. They currently sit in 3rd position in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland Football League with two matches in hand over Caledonian Braves who are three points ahead.
East Stirlingshire vs Tranent
East Stirlingshire are going through it a wee bit at the moment, with Pat Scullion’s side finding themselves back on a negative run of form with three losses in their last five. Lewis Latona and Ben Lamont have both extended their loan stays at the Falkirk Stadium until the end of the season, while mercurial striker Greig Spence has moved on to pastures new.
Tranent lie in 4th in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League having suffered what, for them, could be described as a blip. A loss and a draw in their last three tarnishing an otherwise staggering record for a team which are not currently hitting the heights. Connor Duthie has signed on loan from Peterhead to strengthen the side, while the talismanic Dean Brett has signed on for another season which will delight the Forester’s faithful.
Gala Fairydean Rovers vs Caledonian Braves
Gala Fairydean Rovers currently sit in 16th in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, but they’ll be aware that their relegation rivals are sitting with games in hand over them and therefore maximising points is the order of the day. Their last five record includes two wins and you can absolutely never count GFR out of any match that they’re involved in.
Ricky Waddell’s Braves come into this one with three wins in their last five but their title challenge has stalled somewhat, allowing East Kilbride to take the momentum from them. They’ll be keen to lay down a marker ahead of the rest of the season by beating Gala Fairydean Rovers on the road.
Gretna 2008 vs Bo’ness United
It’s the Neutral’s Pick this week as 8th travel to take on 9th in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League. There’s nothing really to pick between Bo’ness United and Gretna (except two games in hand and a 15 goal swing but wheesht) and this game is going to be an absolutely fascinating match up as one of the league’s most improved side come up against one of the league’s steadiest competitors.
A symbol of Gretna’s improvement on and off the park is in the number of players they have already secured for next season and Vinnie Parker’s side are riding a wave of positivity into this one.
Bo’ness United are on a run of patchy form and have lost Ryan Porteous (not that one) to Bonnyrigg Rose, while Lucas Stenhouse has been recalled from his loan to his parent club Livingston. They were two influential players for the club, and their absence will likely be felt as Stuart Hunter’s side adjust.
A wee word also for Bo’ness United legend Michael Gemmell who made it 300 appearances for the BUs last time out against East Kilbride.
Also, like all forms of high art: I don’t really know what this but I know that I like it.
Linlithgow Rose vs Berwick Rangers
Linlithgow Rose have three wins in their last five matches and have brought in experienced midfielder James Berry from Stenhousemuir to bolster their squad ahead of the rest of the season. Gordon Herd’s side have been impressive this season and made it through to the next round of the EOS Qualifying Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Civil Service Strollers.
Will that lead to some fatigue in the ol’ legs as Berwick Rangers arrive at Prestonfield? Who knows! For Berwick Rangers’ part, new boss Kevin Haynes has secured the signatures of some influential members of the squad, while defender Jamie McCormack has been allowed to leave to look for a new club.
Haynes’ first game will set a precedent for the rest of the season – Berwick’s form is atrocious with four defeats in the last five matches. The new manager bounce is real though, and the Berwick board and Shielfield Park faithful will be hoping that Haynes can turn things around.