Season: 2023/24

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

Gala Fairydean Rovers vs East Kilbride

A total of 13 goals were shared between the both sides, last season – with East Kilbride taking maximum points thanks to a 4-0 win at K-Park and 5-4 victory at Netherdale.

All four of Gala Fairydean Rovers’ points have been picked up at home – a 2-0 win over East Stirlingshire, and a 1-1 draw with Hearts B. They’ve suffered defeat on the road on both occasions – losing 3-0 and 5-0 to Bo’ness United and Celtic B.

GFR are on a six-game unbeaten run at home, and will be looking to continue that form as they welcome one of the highly tipped title contenders.

East Kilbride have yet to deal with a defeat – winning three and drawing one of their four games played.

Aside from the 7-0 blowing away of Gretna 2008, The Kilby haven’t quite capitalised on the chances created – with 2-1 wins over Broomhill and East Stirlingshire. 10-man EK did, however, salvage a 1-1 draw away to Stirling Uni.

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Gretna 2008 vs Albion Rovers

The last time Albion Rovers faced an opponent from Raydale was the 10th August 2005 – a 2-1 defeat to the original Gretna FC in the First Round of the 2005/06 Scottish League Cup.

Gretna 2008 have had a grim start to the league campaign, losing all four games, and conceding almost a third of the 91 goals against them, last season – picking the ball out of the net 25 times in four games.

However, the Anvils did go down swinging last weekend against league leaders Bo’ness United – losing 2-0 in a very well contested game. Manager, Bryan Gilfillan hasn’t faulted effort, but knows they need to get the small things right, and soon.

Albion Rovers have only played one league fixture due to participating in the Viaplay Cup Group Stage.

They opened their inaugural Lowland League campaign with a 2-1 defeat at home to a strong Hearts B side – with Adam Fernie scoring Rovers’ first ever Lowland League goal.

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Linlithgow Rose vs Cumbernauld Colts

This will be the first time Linlithgow Rose and Cumbernauld Colts come up against each other.

East of Scotland Champions, Linlithgow Rose have enjoyed a solid start to their inaugural Lowland League campaign – winning three of their four opening games, and losing the other.

Nine players have contributed to the Rose’s 13 goals, making them a threat from a variety of positions.

Having gone their first three games without losing or conceding, Cumbernauld Colts tasted their first defeat, last weekend – falling to a 5-1 defeat v Tranent at Broadwood.

Billy Mortimer has scored all of the Colts’ goals, and is currently the joint-top scorer with five goals.

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Tranent vs Broomhill

It was Tranent who came out on top on both occasions, last season – defeating Broomhill 4-0 at home, and 2-1 away.

Tranent have won three of their first four fixtures – losing 2-1 to the only team who have been the victors on every outing, Bo’ness United.

The Big T have goals in them and are the league’s top scorers, at this moment – with comprehensive 6-2 and 5-1 victories coming against Edinburgh Uni and Cumbernauld Colts, as well as their opening day 2-1 win away to East Stirlingshire.

Broomhill have also won three of their four fixtures. Since losing 2-1 on the opening day to East Kilbride, The Broom have defeated both Linlithgow Rose and Caley Braves 2-0, followed by a 4-0 win v Edinburgh Uni.

Broomhill have the joint-best defence, alongside Bo’ness United – only conceding two goals (both on the opening day), and have kept three consecutive clean sheets.

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University of Stirling vs Caledonian Braves

University of Stirling and Caledonian Braves had equal share of the points, last season – with Stirling Uni winning 3-1 at Alliance Park, and The Braves leaving Forthbank with a 1-0 win.

After a phenomenal 22/23 campaign that saw them finish 4th and exiting the Scottish Cup Fourth Round to Dundee United, it was always going to be difficult for Stirling Uni to be able to emulate that – particularly when losing key, senior players.

Having lost their two opening games 3-1 and 3-0 to Linlithgow Rose and Cumbernauld Colts, the Uni followed that up with 1-1 and 2-2 draws with East Kilbride and Berwick Rangers, and are looking for their first win.

A difficult start for Caledonian Braves, who, like Stirling Uni, have also had to deal with losing key players.

Since their opening day 1-0 win over Berwick Rangers, The Braves have went on a three-game losing streak of 5-1 to Celtic B, 2-0 to Broomhill, and 1-0 to Linlithgow Rose, and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

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Heart of Midlothian B vs Cowdenbeath

Last season was the inaugural season for both Hearts B and Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League – and it was Cowdenbeath who got the better of the results, drawing 1-1 away, then winning 3-1 at Central Park.

The Wee Jambos are undefeated in their first four games of the 23/24 campaign, and have only dropped points once with a 1-1 draw away to Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Makenzie Kirk is the Lowland League’s joint-top scorer, with five in four games, and he’ll be looking to add to his tally.

Cowdenbeath have played two league games – which both ended in 2-2 draws v Celtic B and Civil Service Strollers, and will be disappointed not to have a win under their belts, considering they were ahead in both games.

With The Blue Brazil’s four goals coming from four different scorers, means they have multiple threats in finding the back of the net.

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Albion Rovers v Heart of Midlothian B

This is Albion Rovers first outing in the Lowland League, following their relegation from League Two via the play-off, at the hand of last season’s Lowland League Champions, The Spartans.

Rovers have been in cup action, hence their delay in kicking off their league campaign. They lost three of their four Viaplay Cup Group Stage matches – 2-0 to Raith Rovers, 3-0 to Dunfermline Athletic, and 2-1 to Kilmarnock. Their only victory came thanks to a 2-1 win over Annan Athletic.

They also progressed to the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy, having won on penalties v St Mirren B – where they will now face fellow Lowland League side, Tranent.

Hearts B will be pleased with their start to the 23/24 campaign, sitting in 2nd with two wins and a draw – 7-0 v Gretna 2008, 3-2 v Civil Service Strollers, and 1-1 v Gala Fairydean Rovers.

The Young Jambos have scored the second highest amount of goals, with eleven – one behind top scorers, Linlithgow Rose.

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Berwick Rangers vs University of Stirling

Stirling Uni didn’t lose to Berwick Rangers, last season – with the games ending 2-2 and 3-1. But, The Wee Gers haven’t lost at home to the Uni since 2019.

Both teams come into this with identical form – having lost their opening two games, they both picked up their first point, last weekend.

Berwick Rangers lost their opener 1-0 to Caley Braves, followed by a 2-1 defeat to the only team to have won all their games, so far, Bo’ness United.

Their first point came against Cumbernauld Colts, with both sides cancelling each other out for it to end 0-0.

Stirling Uni lost 3-1 to newly promoted Linlithgow Rose on the opening day, quickly followed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Cumbernauld Colts.

They picked up their first point thanks to a 1-1 draw with East Kilbride, a side they didn’t lose to in last season’s league campaign.

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