Season: 2023/24

The 2022/23 season of The Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League.

University of Stirling vs Tranent

Both sides managed a home victory, last season – with Tranent winning 2-1 at Foresters, and University of Stirling with a 5-2 win at Forthbank.

It was always going to be difficult for Stirling Uni to replicate their 4th place finish of last season, particularly when losing key players.

The Students currently sit in 11th, and have begun to pick up some form. Since their opening defeats to Linlithgow Rose and Cumbernauld Colts, Uni picked up their first points thanks to draws with East Kilbride and Berwick Rangers.

Stirling Uni come into this on the back of consecutive wins over Caley Braves and East Stirlingshire.

It’s no secret that Tranent are aiming for a loftier position than the impressive fifth place finish in their inaugural season.

The Big T are currently sitting in 9th place – having won three of their six games, drawing one and losing the other two, and will be looking to bounce back from the 3-0 loss away to Hearts B, midweek.

It was announced earlier today that Tranent Manager, Max Christie had stepped down from the position, with Ian Little taking over.

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Albion Rovers vs East Stirlingshire

The last time both sides met each other was on the final day of the 2014/15 season, when Albion Rovers were crowned Champions of Scottish League Two, defeating The Shire 5-1.

Albion Rovers have enjoyed a solid start to their inaugural Lowland League campaign – winning two of their three games played.

Since their opening day defeat to Hearts B, Rovers have rocked up back-to-back victories – 4-0 away to Gretna 2008, and 1-0 away to Bo’ness United.

East Stirlingshire find themselves in 14th place – with one win, one draw, and five defeats from their seven games played.

Whilst it’s still early in the season, The Shire will be looking to put more points on the board and match the ambitions the club have set.

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Bo’ness United vs Cumbernauld Colts

Both sides managed to earn a home victory, last season – with Bo’ness United winning 3-0 on the opening day of the 22/23 campaign, and Cumbernauld Colts winning 1-0 in January.

Bo’ness United currently sit third in the league table with 15 points, just one point behind East Kilbride and Hearts B.

Having won their opening five games, Bo’ness United dropped their first points midweek – losing 1-0 to Albion Rovers at Newtown Park.

Cumbernauld Colts occupy fourth place in the league – winning four of their seven games, drawing one and losing two to make up their 13 points.

The Colts’ Billy Mortimer is the leagues joint-second top scorer – with himself and Hearts B’s Makenzie Kirk having both scored seven goals in seven games.

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Broomhill vs Gala Fairydean Rovers

Last season, both sides managed to secure convincing home wins against each other – Broomhill winning 5-1, and Gala Fairydean Rovers with a 4-1 victory.

Broomhill currently sit 6th in the league – with three wins, two draws, and a defeat.

Since their 2-1 opening day defeat away to East Kilbride, the Broom haven’t lost, or conceded – making that six consecutive clean sheets, including a South Challenge Cup tie v Neilston.

Gala Fairydean Rovers find themselves 15th in the league – with four defeats, one win, and one draw.

GFR come into this off the back of three heavy defeats – 5-0 v Celtic B, 6-1 v East Kilbride, and 5-0 v Linlithgow Rose, and will be hoping to start finding the back of the net, and points on the board.

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East Kilbride vs Cowdenbeath

East Kilbride and Cowdenbeath are the only remaining teams who are undefeated, this season.

Both managed to leave with an away win, last season – Cowdenbeath winning 1-0 at K-Park, and East Kilbride leaving Central Park with a 3-1 victory.

East Kilbride currently sit top of the Lowland League, with five wins and a draw – equal on 16 points with Hearts B, but with a better goal difference and game in hand.

The Kilby are the joint-top scorers in the league, having scored 20 goals in their six games played.

Cowdenbeath have won two of their five games played, drawing the other three.

Prior to midweeks 0-0 draw with the best defence in the league, Broomhill, the Blue Brazil were scoring at least two goals a game – with their biggest victory coming in the shape of a 7-1 drubbing of Edinburgh University.

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Gretna 2008 vs Civil Service Strollers

Civil Service Strollers took maximum points off Gretna 2008, last season – thanks to 4-1 and 4-0 victories.

As every fixture passes, it goes from bad to worse for Gretna 2008 – who find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table, with seven straight defeats.

The Anvils will be looking to start picking up points sooner rather than later – a difficult task when they have conceded 39 goals, and have found the back of the net on only three occasions.

Civil Service Strollers currently sit in 7th position – having won three of their six games, with two draws and a defeat making up the other results.

The Strollers will be looking to continue the winning streak the have over Gretna 2008 – a team they haven’t dropped points, or lost to since the 2016/17 season.

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Linlithgow Rose vs Edinburgh University

This is the first time both sides have met each other.

Linlithgow Rose have fairly settled into the league, finding themselves in fifth position – with four wins and two losses from their six played.

The Rose are also the joint-top scorers in the league, alongside East Kilbride – with an impressive 12 players contributing to their 20 goals scored.

Edinburgh University find themselves in familiar territory – starting this seasons campaign where they finished in 22/23, second from bottom.

The Students have lost all six of their games, conceding 28 in the process.

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Heart of Midlothian B vs Caledonian Braves

Caledonian Braves defeated Hearts B on both occasions, last season – winning 3-2 and 5-2.

Hearts B have had a strong start to the 23/24 campaign, and currently sit in second place – level points with East Kilbride and one point ahead of Bo’ness United, who both have a game in hand.

Wee Jambos striker, Makenzie Kirk is the second-joint top scorer, with seven goals in seven games.

Caledonian Braves have had a tough start to their season. Since their 1-0 opening day win over Berwick Rangers, they have lost five consecutive games.

The Braves currently find themsleves in 16th, and sit above Gretna 2008 and Edinburgh University – with both yet to put points on the board.

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