TODAY (Saturday) could prove to be a pivotal day in the destination of the Premier Division title.
Title challengers Tranent Juniors, Penicuik Athletic and Linlithgow Rose are separated by just three points in the table.
There will be fewer than 10 miles between them this afternoon as all three face a trip to Fife.
Tranent head to Dundonald Bluebell in the only league game involving an East Lothian side this weekend.
Preston Athletic are away to Dunipace in Group B of the League Cup while Ormiston and Dunbar United are also on their travels in Group H.
Ormiston contest an away encounter with Kennoway Star Hearts for the first time and Dunbar swap East Lothian for West Lothian and a contest with Stoneyburn.
Haddington Athletic and Musselburgh Athletic both have home advantage in Group G as Pumpherston head for Millfield and Heriot-Watt University travel to Olivebank.
Each of the League Cup games kick off at 2.30pm.
Match of the day
Dundonald Bluebell v Tranent Juniors
Tranent’s last five matches: DWLWD
CALUM Elliot’s men travel to Dundonald Bluebell for the second time in less than a fortnight.
The two sides met in the Challenge Cup, with the Fife men coming out on top 2-1.
However, with league points at stake, Tranent will be doubly determined to keep their Premier Division title bid alive.
All three title challengers – Tranent, Penicuik and Linlithgow Rose – are in Fife with all three of the games kicking off at different times.
Penicuik and Crossgates Primrose kicks off at 2pm before Tranent and Dundonald starts at 5pm.
In theory, table-toppers Linlithgow could have slipped to third by the time their game with Hill of Beath Hawthorn gets under way at 7.45pm.
Tranent are unbeaten in nine Premier Division fixtures and will be looking to make it double figures at Moorside Park.
League Cup Group B
Dunipace v Preston Athletic
Preston’s last five matches: WWLLW
A 5-0 VICTORY over Bathgate Thistle last weekend saw Preston Athletic get their League Cup campaign off to the perfect start.
The win means the Pennypit side top Group B of the League Cup ahead of Dunipace, who they face today.
The Denny-based outfit have already played two games and also scored five goals last weekend.
That came as they defeated Stirling University 5-3 after losing 3-2 to Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in the opening round of fixtures.
Stirling University and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale face each other in the other Group B contest.
League Cup Group G
Haddington Athletic v Pumpherston
Haddington’s last five games: DWWWL
SHAUN Hill’s late leveller against Heriot-Watt University ensured Haddington remain unbeaten in Group G.
Hill had scored the only goal of the game against Lochgelly Albert in the opening round of fixtures and got the equaliser in the capital to put Haddington onto four points after two games.
Haddington and Pumpherston have not crossed paths in about seven years and a win for the Hi His would boost their chances of qualifying for the latter stages of the League Cup.
Their West Lothian visitors lost 2-1 to Heriot-Watt a fortnight ago and were not in cup action last weekend.
Instead, they were thumped 6-0 by Armadale Thistle in First Division Conference X and sit second bottom of the table.
League Cup Group G
Musselburgh Athletic v Heriot-Watt University
Musselburgh’s last five games: WLWDL
A HAT-TRICK from record goalscorer Matti King helped Musselburgh record a 4-1 win over Lochgelly Albert last weekend.
However, they are likely to face a tougher tie against group-topping Heriot-Watt University at Olivebank.
The capital club has defeated Pumpherston and drawn with Haddington in the first two rounds of fixtures in the League Cup.
Musselburgh have been inconsistent in recent weeks but will be hoping the win in Fife can be the start of a winning run.
The squad is also boosted by the signing of former Livingston and Tranent Juniors man Matthew Knox.
League Cup Group H
Kennoway Star Hearts v Ormiston
Ormiston’s last five games: LDLLL
ONLY the width of the crossbar prevented Ormiston from producing an impressive comeback on Saturday.
Richie Weir’s men were 3-0 down to Premier Division Whitehill Welfare with less than half an hour to play.
However, goals from Zac Scally and Sean Ballard brought them right back into it.
Unfortunately, Scally’s last minute penalty struck the woodwork and it was the Midlothian side picking up all three points.
Ormiston are again on their travels today and they head to Fife to face Kennoway Star Hearts.
Their opposition sit fifth in First Division Conference B and have been inconsistent this term, with 11 wins and 10 defeats from 22 league encounters.
League Cup Group H
Stoneyburn v Dunbar United
Dunbar’s last five games: LLLLD
A TRIP to West Lothian offers Dunbar United the chance to get 2022 up and running.
The Seasiders were edged out 1-0 by Kennoway Star Hearts last Saturday and head to Stoneyburn.
The West Lothian team sit in mid-table in First Division Conference X and will also be looking to get their League Cup campaign going after losing 5-0 to Whitehill Welfare.
Kevin Haynes and his team were unlucky against their Fife opposition but will be looking for three points.
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