Happy days are here again. That is to say it’s a weekend with a full card of Park’s Motor Group Lowland League matches and the SUN came out today so they might even all get played.
Can you imagine the joys?
Berwick Rangers vs Gretna 2008
Berwick Rangers are fast becoming the team to watch in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, but probably not in the way they were hoping for. They’ve lost twice in the league since new manager Kevin Haynes joined the club, and lost out to Broomhill in the Lowland League Cup in midweek. Four losses in their last five games will be giving the Shielfield Park side sleepless nights and they’ll be itching – perhaps even desperate – to get back to winning ways on Saturday.
Gretna’s fortunes could have been similar after an early season sprint was followed up by some fairly patchy form. Given that they’ve been experiencing a bit of an injury crisis of late, it’s safe to say that Vinnie Parker’s side will feel pretty secure with 27 points from 24 matches. They’ve managed to re-sign a significant number of this season’s squad ahead of 2025/26 already, so they’ll be on a high going into this one.
Shielfield Park for thrills this Saturday? It’s our Neutral’s Pick – let us know on the former Bird Platform if you head along to this one.
Bo’ness United vs Hearts B
I always struggle to know exactly what to make of Bo’ness United’s 2024/25 season and I guess that when I tell you that their goal difference is currently +1, you might see what I mean.
They’re going about their business quietly, in no threat of relegation and – perhaps sadly for their supporters – not really looking like troubling the top five in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League.
They welcome Hearts B to Newtown Park on Saturday, with the Wee Jambos on a fairly inconsistent run which has left them in 12th in the table.
Broomhill vs Caledonian Braves
Broomhill can count themselves unlucky that they find themselves at the foot of the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League table at the moment. They’re currently sitting on 16 points but have three games in hand over their nearest rivals Cumbernauld Colts thanks to weather call-offs (their midweek League Cup tie against Berwick had to be played at K Park).
They have second placed Caledonian Braves visiting the Dumbarton Stadium this weekend, and will be looking to build on that impressive cup win in this one. They will also no doubt be hoping that the weather holds.
Caledonian Braves will be looking to continue their strong run of form that sees them fairly comfortable in second place. The momentum in the title race still lies with East Kilbride, but Braves will be looking to convert every three points possible in the run in.
Civil Service Strollers vs Tranent
Civil Service Strollers are another team going quietly about their business this season. Since joining, Gary Jardine has all-but transformed Strollers into a team that nobody fancies themselves to take points off. Ask half the table who their bogey team is and the chances are they’d say Strollers.
Tranent have been on a bit of a dip, presumably because I touted them as dark horses for the title a few weeks ago. Sorry about that, Tranent fans. They’ve slipped to 5th in the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League table and will be looking to turn those Forester’s frowns upside down at Christie Gillies Park on Saturday.
Cumbernauld Colts vs Cowdenbeath
Cumbernauld Colts might well be coming on to a game despite their woes so far in the Lowland League this season. A 3-2 win over Celtic B in their last league match was as welcome as it was unexpected, but a demoralising 5-0 defeat in the cup, at K Park will drive home the scale of the job that Colts have to do to avoid the danger zone come the end of the season.
Cowdenbeath on the other hand have come out of their own little slide down the table with two wins and two draws in their last five. Things are looking up for the Blue Brazil but this one will be a really tough match for them, and you could do much worse than a wee trip to Broadwood this weekend.
East Kilbride vs Broxburn Athletic
K Park is the venue on Saturday as the current champions look to cement their stranglehold on the top spot. They have three games in hand over nearest rivals Caledonian Braves, and already hold a three point advantage. They can afford to slip up a couple of times, is what I’m saying.
If you’d asked me a few weeks ago I’d have said that this could be that game, with Broxburn Athletic in free-scoring form but a wee mid-season slump saw them take a couple of batterings and the newly promoted side’s morale dip a wee bit.
Things seem to be on the up for them, and with a renewed focus on finishing as high as they can in the Lowland League standings, this one is bound to be fascinating.
Gala Fairydean Rovers vs East Stirlingshire
This match will contain more than five goals. You mark my words.
Where they’ll come from, I honestly have no idea but I have absolute faith that there are goals in them there hills. Why?
GFR have scored 43 and conceded 65. East Stirlingshire have conceded 51 and scored 40 themselves, all while both clubs have been experiencing a difficult season.
Could be a classic…
…could be 0-0.
Linlithgow Rose vs Celtic B
Four wins in five matches for Linlithgow Rose sees them in 4th place in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland Football League, just one point behind their weekend visitors Celtic B.
This one is likely to be a tight affair as two of the league’s best defensive records meet at Prestonfield. Whoever comes out on top will have the momentum in the fight for 3rd spot… and maybe even more.
University of Stirling vs Albion Rovers
This Sunday, SunDAY, SUNDAY it’s Forthbank for uhh… frills as University of Stirling welcome Albion Rovers. Uni have been one of the division’s least consistent sides this season and have lost three of their last five league games, putting them in danger of being sucked into relegation trouble.
For some Albion Rovers fans, 7th place in the Scottish Lowland League seems the equivalent of being permanently stuck in a pit full of spikes… and snakes… and angry swans, such is their vociferous criticism of their team’s performances this season.
Some might argue that it’s progress, but two losses and two draws in their last five has taken a bit of the momentum out of their push for the top six. Rovers fans will be looking for a win… and possibly some rope…
