Albion Rovers vs University of Stirling
This weekend’s 8th vs 9th battle is set to be an enticing affair as Uni could leapfrog Rovers (although for the pedants amongst you, Rovers do have a game in hand).
Albion Rovers fans won’t be much happier than they were going into midweek, having needed a last minute Bright Prince goal to rescue a point against bottom of the table Broomhill. Sandy Clark’s side will need to provide more going forward if they want to get the jump on a Uni side that, on their day, can score for fun.
Uni took two points from Caledonian Braves in midweek and will be looking to build on that and take the initiative of leapfrogging their positional rivals.
Broomhill vs Cumbernauld Colts
Broomhill suffered a late sickener against Albion Rovers in midweek and it seems like – at some point – they surely have to gain some kind of reward for their improved play. A 2-2 draw against top half Albion Rovers was creditable but in order to keep in the fight for survival, they’ll have to start picking up wins and fast.
They’ll see an opportunity against a Cumbernauld Colts side that have struggled hugely in recent weeks and capitulated at their home ground against Civil Service Strollers in midweek. Colts’ slide down the table in recent weeks will be a concern for David Proctor’s side and they’ll be looking to arrest it at The Rock on Saturday.
Broxburn Athletic vs Civil Service Strollers
Broxburn Athletic played out a cagey nil-nil draw with Bo’ness United on Wednesday night and naturally will be looking to bounce back with a win at Albyn Park on Saturday afternoon.
Civil Service Strollers for their part dismantled Cumbernauld Colts in midweek and took all three points and a three goal margin in a 4-1 win. Gary Jardine and his side will want to build on that, even if Albyn Park makes for a difficult away day! Strollers will need to shore up defensively, but there are few teams who look brighter going forward in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League at the moment.
Caledonian Braves vs Celtic B
Caledonian Braves go into Saturday’s match at home to Celtic B, knowing that the momentum lies with their title rivals with them having failed to pick up all three points away at University of Stirling.
Celtic B themselves took down Gretna 2008 4-0 in midweek and are starting to return to the kind of form that put them in third place in the league. This one could easily be one to watch this weekend, but much depends on which Celtic side turns up.
Cowdenbeath vs Bo’ness United
Cowdenbeath have perhaps been one of the more disappointing sides in the league this season and a visit from Bo’ness United will do little to perk up Blue Brazil fans still reeling from their 8-3 defeat to East Kilbride in midweek. Like Cumbernauld Colts, Cowdenbeath are struggling to impose themselves in games and will need more from their experienced players if they’re to get anything from this one.
Bo’ness United – who I nearly constantly describe as ‘slow and steady’ – played out a 0-0 draw with Broxburn Athletic in midweek and are going about their business quietly and confidently. They’re currently sitting in 7th place but a wee run of results, either positive or negative, could change their fortunes greatly going into the rest of the season.
East Kilbride vs Heart of Midlothian B
East Kilbride could probably have won by more in midweek, despite beating Cowdenbeath 8-3 at K Park. They will be incredibly confident going into their match against Hearts B at the weekend, with a chance to put the Premiership youth team whose record in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League has been fairly underwhelming this season, even further behind in their plans.
East Stirlingshire vs Gala Fairydean Rovers
We said previously that East Stirlingshire needed a big, landmark result to put their season back on track. So them beating high-flying Linlithgow Rose 1-0 in midweek definitely counts. Two wins for the season won’t give Shire fans anything to sing too loudly about, but it’s progress that they can take into this weekend against Gala Fairydean Rovers.
Gala themselves lost out narrowly to Tranent in midweek in a game where, had they taken their chances, things could have been very different. This match is a chance for both teams to take a huge leap away from the drop zone. Needless to say, The Falkirk Stadium could well be the place to be this weekend!
Gretna 2008 vs Berwick Rangers
Gretna 2008 fell foul of full time football in midweek as they lost out 4-0 to Celtic B. Things have been tougher than Gretna might have liked in this phase of the season, but their fans will still be hoping that the side have enough about them to steer clear of the danger zone over the next few months.
Berwick themselves are struggling a little after a bright start to the season. The former league leaders currently sit in 12th place and following the postponement of their midweek match versus Hearts B, they’ll be rested and raring to go in this one.
Linlithgow Rose vs Tranent
Rose fans predicting a midweek loss to East Stirlingshire would likely have been run out of Linlithgow on Tuesday, but then imagine the moment of being able to say ‘I told you so’!
They’d probably have preferred to take something out of the game though…
They welcome Tranent who are quietly steamrollering their way through the league and looking good while doing it. The battle of fourth and fifth is another reason to get out to the football this weekend (as if you needed a reason). If you’re in the area, this isn’t one to be missed!
