Another week, another Lowland League Weekly as we take a look back at the midweek and weekend fixtures and look ahead to what will (hopefully!) be a full card of fixtures across Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
It’s the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, and as always it’s going to be a great weekend of affordable fitba. Let’s get into it…
Linlithgow Rose vs Broomhill
Two teams in fairly similar form meet at Prestonfield on Friday night for a light spot of FRIDAY NIGHT FITBA. Zander DIamond’s Broomhill have lost two and won two in their last five, while Gordon Herd’s Rose have won two and drawn two.
Both sides have hit a wee stumbling block in recent weeks as they try to climb into the top three and steer themselves clear of the danger zone respectively.
Broomhill were on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat away at East Kilbride in midweek after seeing their weekend match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch (remember when it was just wet and not freezing out?). Linlithgow Rose’s midweek match with Hearts B was a victim of that freeze, and they come into this one on the back of a surprising 2-0 defeat away at Cowdenbeath.
Hearts B vs Cumbernauld Colts
Hearts B welcome bottom of the table Cumbernauld Colts to the Ainslie Park Thunderdome under the Friday night lights hoping to continue their winning streak to three matches.
Cumbernauld Colts come into this one in what can only be described as relegation form. They’ve lost four of their last five matches, including 6-0 at home to nearest rivals Gala Fairydean Rovers last Saturday.
They were much improved against Gretna 2008 in midweek, but still came away without any points. This match has the potential for a points return, but Craig Malcolm’s side will have to build on their midweek performance if they’re going to take anything away against the young full-timers.
Albion Rovers vs Gretna 2008
Albion Rovers come into this one on the back of two wins and two losses, while Gretna travel to Coatbridge with two draws and two losses in their last five. As mentioned, Gretna got a good result at home against Cumbernauld Colts in midweek while Albion Rovers’ trip to Broxburn was frozen off, but their last match was an exciting and morale-boosting draw against high-flying Tranent.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this one will be an exciting match. Both Rovers and Gretna have a chance to solidify their positions ahead of the festive fixtures, and there are goals in both sides.
Caledonian Braves vs Cowdenbeath
At half time in Caledonian Braves’ midweek game against East Stirlingshire, with the game poised at 0-0, there might have been a few Braves fans following the match from sunnier climes who thought that the title race might be slipping away from them.
Fast forward 45 minutes and Ricky Waddell’s side were running out 4-0 winners and putting themselves in contention three points behind East Kilbride (albeit having played a game more).
In contrast, Cowdenbeath’s season has been in a tailspin in recent weeks with three losses and two draws in their last six matches. Why six? Because last time out they won 2-0 against Linlithgow Rose to provide a little cushion between them and the bottom two sides in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League.
Braves will do well not to underestimate the Blue Brazil in this one.
East Kilbride vs Berwick Rangers
Berwick Rangers would likely have preferred to go into an away match at the home of the league leaders and last season’s champions on the back of a positive midweek result. Which is a shame, since they were on the end of a 4-1 defeat by Civil Service Strollers.
East Kilbride won their midweek match by the same scoreline against Broomhill and look like a side brimming with confidence ahead of this one. Kieran MacDonald is the club’s latest recruit from Gartcairn and he is likely to be eligible for this one to add to Kilby’s intimidating squad.
East Stirlingshire vs Broxburn Athletic
I can’t use my ‘you wouldn’t call East Stirlingshire a form team’ image anymore after Pat Scullion’s side have lost and drawn in their last two matches. How rude.
A 4-0 defeat at home in midweek against Caledonian Braves disappointed a number of the Shire faithful who were disappointed at the nature of the performance after a prolonged run of victories had propelled them up the table.
Broxburn Athletic’s season has stalled a little in the last few weeks – not least because of a few postponements – their last league win coming against Caledonian Braves at the beginning of November. They’ll be hoping that they can arrest any creeping malaise to keep their place in the top six going into the festive fixtures.
Gala Fairydean Rovers vs Civil Service Strollers
After a 6-0 win over relegation rivals Cumbernauld Colts, Gala Fairydean Rovers head into their home match with Civil Service Strollers (AKA The Excellent Name Derby) looking to move themselves above Broomhill and Cowdenbeath and out of the danger zone (for now – it’s awfy close down there!).
Civil Service Strollers took three points from Shielfield Park against Berwick. They’re on a pretty strong run (three wins in the last five) and will be looking to cement their place in the top half of the table.
Tranent vs Celtic B
Tranent haven’t lost in the league since August, but currently lie in fourth place thanks to the number of draws and their three league defeats coming in the first few weeks of the season.
They are definitely the team to watch, and the team to seem clever about in the pub when you’re undoubtedly discussing Lowland League fitba.
Celtic lie in second place, just a point ahead of Tranent and will need to be on their guard if they’re going to take anything away from Foresters Park on Saturday.
This one is also a match up between the second and third highest scoring teams in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League and whatever happens, this one is sure to be worth a watch.
Yes, that’s right folks… Tranent vs Celtic B is this week’s Neutral’s Pick!
University of Stirling vs Bo’ness United
A mid-table battle with plenty at stake, at least in terms of net league position! Bo’ness United are sitting in 8th place on 24 points and 17 games played, while University of Stirling are in 10th on 23 points with 19 games played.
A good result for Uni will see them leapfrog their visitors, at least for the time-being and will put them in a strong position since they have struggled somewhat to get results against the teams around them so far this season.
Bo’ness United’s recent form will be cause for concern for the Newtown Park faithful but they are sitting comfortably in the top half going into the festive period and they have a real knack for edging out matches against the teams around them in the league.
This one could go both ways. We could be on for a free-scoring game between two beautifully matched teams… or it could be a cagey affair ending in a low-scoring draw.
Whatever happens, I’ll be back with you next week to tell you how I predicted it correctly (by sitting on the fence).
