Both the First and Second rounds of the South Challenge Cup 2016-17 were drawn in Edinburgh earlier today. Following discussions, agreement was reached earlier in the spring to revert to an ‘all-in’ draw throughout the competition as was the case in 2007-08 and 2008-09, replacing the most recent format of two zones combining from the Quarter-Finals.

Whitehill Welfare begin their defence of the prestigious trophy with a visit to Moffat to face Upper Annandale while East Stirlingshire’s first venture into the competition will begin at Lockerbie against Mid Annandale. Standout ties in the First Round include newly promoted Civil Service Strollers versus East Kilbride, and Preston Athletic playing host to debutant East of Scotland League club Tweedmouth Rangers.

First Round ties are to be played on Saturday 17th September and Second Round ties on Saturday 15th October; subject to alteration due to ground clashes or by the mutual agreement of the clubs involved.

First Round
Heriot-Watt University v BSC Glasgow
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Heston Rovers
Burntisland Shipyard v Glasgow University
Civil Service Strollers v East Kilbride
Vale of Leithen v Creetown
Preston Athletic v Tweedmouth Rangers
Peebles Rovers v Edinburgh University
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Ormiston
Cumbernauld Colts v St Cuthbert Wanderers

Second Round
Hawick Royal Albert v Cumbernauld Colts / St Cuthbert Wanderers
Abbey Vale v Heriot-Watt University / BSC Glasgow
Spartans v Lochar Thistle
Duns v Newton Stewart
Mid Annandale v East Stirlingshire
Civil Service Strollers / East Kilbride v Gala Fairydean Rovers / Heston Rovers
Eyemouth United v Tynecastle
Nithsdale Wanderers v Threave Rovers
Dalbeattie Star v Wigtown & Bladnoch
Upper Annandale v Whitehill Welfare
Burntisland Shipyard / Glasgow University v Dumfries YMCA
Coldstream v Leith Athletic
Lochmaben v Edusport Academy
Gretna 2008 v Vale of Leithen / Creetown
University of Stirling v Peebles Rovers / Edinburgh University
Preston Athletic / Tweedmouth Rangers v Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale / Ormiston

Please note that Selkirk were debarred from the competition for breach of rules.

The Ferrari Packaging Scottish Lowland Football League is delighted to announce that two new clubs have been admitted to the league.

Civil Service Strollers and Hawick Royal Albert have been selected through the application process to be admitted.

Both clubs have a long standing history in the East of Scotland Football League and have shown great commitment to the pyramid system over the past few years and secured club licensing.

Next season Threave Rovers wont compete in the Lowland League after submitting their resignation.

League chairman Andrew Waddell said “We interviewed the applicants and the Board members assessed them against a series of performance criteria.

“The final results were close but Hawick Royal Albert and Civil Service Strollers came out ahead.

“We welcome them to the Lowland League.”