THE race for three league titles continues this weekend with important fixtures for East Lothian’s footballers.
Tranent Juniors, Haddington Athletic and Preston Athletic all have title ambitions as the East of Scotland Football League season hits the final few weeks.
Action gets under way this evening (Friday) as Ormiston welcome Dalkeith Thistle in a 6.30pm kick-off.
Tomorrow (Saturday), title-chasing Tranent Juniors venture to Fife for a clash with Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts while Musselburgh Athletic and Dunbar United face each other at Olivebank.
In First Division Conference A, Haddington make the short trip to Arniston Rangers while Preston Athletic and Newburgh face each other for the second time in a week – on this occasion at the Pennypit.
Tranent’s game kicks off at 2pm, with Haddington and Preston kicking off half an hour later.
Musselburgh versus Dunbar is a 3pm kick-off.
Match of the Day
Premier Division
Musselburgh Athletic v Dunbar United
Musselburgh Athletic’s last five games: LLWDW
Dunbar United’s last five games: DDWWL
A COUNTY derby which could prove vital come the end of the season.
Musselburgh Athletic have endured indifferent form for much of 2022 but still sit fifth in the top flight of the EoSFL.
Joe Hamill’s men are likely safe from relegation but having sat in the upper reaches of the table for much of the campaign will be keen to avoid slipping into mid-table.
Meanwhile, Dunbar United have started to show some decent form in their battle to avoid relegation.
The Seasiders come into the game with no defeats in their last four encounters.
Currently, they sit two points above the drop zone but the congested league table means they could leapfrog three teams with three points.
Premier Division
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Tranent Juniors
Tranent Juniors’ last five games: WDWWW
ONLY goal difference separates Tranent and Penicuik Athletic at the top of the Premier Division table with six games left to play.
The Belters will be looking to keep their grip on top spot when they travel to face Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.
The Fife side sit in mid-table but are not totally clear of the relegation scrap.
Three points would ease any nerves slightly and they achieved that at Foresters Park at the end of October.
Title rivals Penicuik and Linlithgow Rose are both at home with Dundonald Bluebell heading to Midlothian and Sauchie going to West Lothian.
First Division Conference A
Ormiston v Dalkeith Thistle
Ormiston’s last five games: LLDLD
ORMISTON have the chance to move off the bottom of the table when they host Dalkeith Thistle this evening (Friday).
Three points would allow Richie Weir’s men to move ahead of Craigroyston on goal difference.
However, Ormiston have not picked up three points in the league since they defeated Thornton Hibs.
The week prior to that victory saw Ormiston winners in Dalkeith and they will be out to do the double over their Midlothian opposition.
Dalkeith, who were thumped 7-0 by Haddington last weekend, sit 12th in First Division Conference A but can move above St Andrews United if they pick up a win.
First Division Conference A
Arniston Rangers v Haddington Athletic
Haddington Athletic’s last five games: LWWWW
PENALTY shoot-out defeat to Kinnoull ended Haddington’s participation in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup on Tuesday evening.
Now, focus turns back to the race for the First Division Conference A title with Leith Athletic.
The club from the capital face a tricky tie with third placed Kirkcaldy & Dysart this evening (Friday).
Currently, there is a three-point gap between Haddington and Leith.
Haddington were 7-0 winners away to Dalkeith Thistle last weekend and will be keen to pick up another three points against Arniston.
The two sides met on just the second day of the season when Haddington were 4-1 winners at Millfield.
First Division Conference B
Preston Athletic v Newburgh Juniors
Preston Athletic’s last five games: WWLDW
A 6-0 WIN in Fife last weekend allowed Preston to edge closer to the top of the First Division Conference B table.
The same opposition head to the Pennypit tomorrow (Saturday) and Jack Lynch’s team will be out to keep the pressure on Glenrothes and Oakley United.
The manager has already warned against complacency after that big win and with five away games in a row he knows there can be few slip-ups.
If Glenrothes drop points, Preston would move above them with a win and close the gap on the inactive Oakley.
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