League: Lowland League

The Scottish Lowland Football League, along with the Highland League is the 5th tier of Scottish football.

Tranent vs Cowdenbeath

Tranent maintained their 100% record under manager, Ian Little with a hard fought 1-0 win against Cowdenbeath on a chilly Wednesday night at Foresters Park.

In the early exchanges, however, Tranent did not look like a team with 6 wins on the bounce, with Cowdenbeath forcing several defensive mistakes and they were unlucky not to break the deadlock.

Tranent’s top scorer Cammy Ross looked to add to his impressive 13 league goals this season with two well worked chances towards the end of the half but was denied first by the post and then by the Cowdenbeath ‘keeper.

Tranent did finally find the back of the net early in the second half, which will have disappointed Calum Elliot and his Cowdenbeath side who had matched Tranent throughout the first half.

The goal came from Scott Gray, who cleverly finished Kieran Somerville’s low cross from the right hand side.

After the goal went in, neither side created much by way of chances, with most of the football being played in the centre of the pitch, much to Tranent’s relief.

Cowdenbeath possession did not amount to any clear chances on goal and Tranent were able to see out the 1-0 win.

Given East Kilbride’s comeback against Linlithgow Rose, the three points will feel especially important to Ian Little and his side – who look to keep pace with the current league leaders.

The Big T have been a free-scoring side so far this season, but what will please Little about this evening’s performance is that his side can grind out wins even when the goals aren’t flowing.

The Blue Brazil were able to contain Tranent effectively for large parts of the game and minimise clear shots on goal so will feel disappointed to be going home empty-handed.

For Tranent, three points are three points and it’s tight wins like these that can make all the difference come the end of the season.

Ben Marshall.

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Albion Rovers vs University of Stirling

This is the third time the sides have met, this season – drawing 2-2 in the previous Lowland League fixture, and Albion Rovers winning 3-1 in the Scottish Cup First Round broadcast live on BBC Scotland.

Albion Rovers currently sit in 15th place with 10 points from their seven games played – made up of three wins, a draw, and three defeats.

Rovers bounced back from the 3-1 defeat at home to Tranent – a performance that was described by boss, Sandy Clark as “uncharacteristic”, with a 5-0 win away to Armadale Thistle in the South Challenge Cup.

University of Stirling currently sit in 16th place with nine points from their ten games played – made up of two wins, three draws, and five defeats.

The Students also come into this off the back of a convincing South Challenge Cup victory, defeating Thorniewood United 4-1 away from home.

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Bo’ness United vs Celtic B

Celtic B took maximum points off Bo’ness United, last season – thanks to 2-1 and 3-0 victories.

Bo’ness United currently sit 5th in the table with 22 points from their 11 games played – made up of seven wins, one draw, and three defeats.

The B.U’s come into this off the back of a dramatic 3-3 draw with Hearts B at home – a game that saw them two-down within the first seven minutes, and a red card shown to both sides.

Celtic B currently sit in 13th place with 13 points from their 10 games played – made up of four wins, one draw, and five defeats.

The Young Hoops have lost four of their five previous matches – including their recent 2-1 defeat at the hands of East Stirlingshire, with their other result being their 1-1 UEFA Youth League Draw v Lazio.

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Heart of Midlothian B vs Berwick Rangers

Hearts B are undefeated against Berwick Rangers in their previous three meetings – winning 6-0 and drawing 1-1 last season, as well as a 2-2 draw earlier this season.

Hearts B currently sit in 3rd place with 24 points from their 13 games played – made up of six wins, six draws, and a defeat.

Makenzie Kirk is the leagues joint-top scorer with 13 goals, and scored a hat-trick in the Wee Jambos previous match – a 3-3 draw with Bo’ness United.

Berwick Rangers are having a par season, currently sitting 11th in the table with 16 points from their 12 games played – made up of four wins, four draws, and four defeats. They have also scored and conceded 14 goals.

Since their 4-1 victory over Edinburgh University in the South Challenge Cup, the Wee Gers have been unable to find a win in their four games played – three defeats including South Challenge and Scottish Cup exits, and a draw away to Linlithgow Rose.

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Berwick Rangers vs East Kilbride

Both sides shared the points with home victories, last season – East Kilbride winning 5-0, and Berwick Rangers winning 3-0.

Berwick Rangers currently sit in 9th place with 16 points from their 11 games played – made up of four wins, four draws, and three defeats.

The Wee Gers have come into off-the-pitch difficulties, resulting in losing key players – including one of this season’s top scorers, Liam Buchanan, Blair Sneddon, Michael Travis to fellow Lowland League side, Bo’ness United, and David Ferguson to opponents, East Kilbride.

East Kilbride are currently top of the Lowland League and are the only team yet to taste defeat – with eight wins and two draws making up their 26 points.

The Kilby are the Lowland League top scorers with 37 goals in 10 games, and also have the best defence in the league – conceding only nine.

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Bo’ness United vs Heart of Midlothian B

Both sides shared the points with home victories, last season – with Bo’ness United winning 4-1, and Hearts B winning 2-0.

Bo’ness United currently sit in 5th place with 21 points from their 10 games played – made up of seven wins and three defeats.

With three wins from four in all competitions – including their last two league games and knocking Darvel out of the Scottish Cup with a 3-0 victory, the B.U’s will come into this with a sense of optimism.

Hearts B currently sit in 2nd place (on goal difference) with 23 points from their 12 games played – made up of six wins, five draws, and one defeat.

The Wee Jambos are on a run of seven games undefeated – three wins and four draws, including their recent 1-1 with East Stirlingshire.

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Caledonian Braves vs Gala Fairydean Rovers

Caledonian Braves got the better of Gala Fairydean Rovers, last season – drawing 2-2, winning 4-0, and also knocked them out of the Lowland League Cup.

Caledonian Braves currently sit 13th in the table with 11 points from 11 games played – made up of three wins, two draws, and six defeats.

The Braves have won three of their last five games – with league wins over Gretna 2008 and Edinburgh University, and a South Challenge Cup win over Girvan. Between the victories is a league loss to Bo’ness United, and a Scottish Cup exit to Fraserburgh.

Gala Fairydean Rovers currently sit 7th in the table with 17 points from their 11 games played – made up of five wins, two draws, and four defeats.

Having suffered three heavy defeats in a row (conceding 16 and scoring one in the process), GFR have hit a real purple patch of form – with their six previous games made up of four league wins, a draw, and an 8-2 victory in the Scottish Cup v Strathspey Thistle.

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