IT IS crunch time in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).
While Musselburgh Athletic are safe in mid-table, the destination of the Premier Division title and the relegation spots remains uncertain.
Tranent Juniors and Penicuik Athletic are locked together on 77 points at the top of the standings as they go into the final game.
Meanwhile, Dunbar United sit just one place and one point above Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, who occupy the final relegation spot.
In First Division Conference A, Haddington Athletic have already wrapped up the title while Ormiston’s chances of avoiding finishing bottom look slim.
Finally, Preston Athletic surely need a win to keep their chances of First Division Conference B glory alive.
All games kick-off at 2.30pm.
Matches of the day
Premier Division
Tranent Juniors v Jeanfield Swifts
Tranent Juniors’ last five games: DWDWW
NINETY minutes separate Tranent Juniors from clinching the Premier Division title.
The county side and Penicuik Athletic have been battling it out for the prize all season and it comes down to the last day of the season.
Calum Elliot’s men face fourth-placed Jeanfield Swifts knowing a win will all but guarantee the title.
While Tranent and Penicuik both have 77 points, the East Lothian side benefit from a goal difference which is 20 goals better off than their rivals.
Penicuik host third placed Linlithgow Rose as both title challengers look for a win to send them into a play-off with South of Scotland Football League winners St Cuthbert Wanderers and West of Scotland Football League winners Darvel.
Tranent won the reverse fixture in Perth 1-0 and the same score would likely give them the title.
Premier Division
Tynecastle v Dunbar United
Dunbar United’s last five games: DDLDL
WITHOUT a win in five games, Dunbar United head into the Capital knowing only a win will likely be enough to see them avoid relegation.
The Seasiders and opponents Tynecastle know that their fate is in their own hands and a victory for either side will be enough to avoid the drop.
Injuries and absences have struck Dunbar in recent weeks but they know one win will be all it takes.
They twice fought back against Crossgates Primrose last weekend to seal a 2-2 draw and potentially a vital point.
Dunbar were 2-1 winners at New Countess Park earlier in the campaign and would be more than happy if the same scoreline happens today (Saturday).
Premier Division
Musselburgh Athletic v Camelon Juniors
Musselburgh Athletic’s last five games: LLLLL
A SEASON of two halves for Musselburgh Athletic, who, at one stage, looked like they could mount a title challenge.
Instead, they boast just one league win since the end of November.
Joe Hamill’s team will be looking to finish the campaign on a high having lost their penultimate game of the campaign to Jeanfield Swifts.
Olivebank hosts Camelon Juniors, who sit bottom of the table and are already facing up to next season in Division One.
A win could propel Musselburgh as high as seventh spot as they look to match the 3-2 away win they recorded in the last meeting.
First Division Conference A
Haddington Athletic v Edinburgh United
Haddington Athletic’s last five games: WLWWL
TITLE celebrations started at Treaton Park last weekend and Haddington will be looking to party once again.
The Hi Hi were 2-1 winners at Kennoway Star Hearts seven days ago and the result was enough to seal promotion to the Premier Division.
Although there is little pressure on the Millfield men, they will look to put on a show for the crowd and pick up another three points.
Their visitors sit seventh and will be out to ensure they are playing in the new First Division next season.
Scott Bonar’s men triumphed 4-1 in the meeting back in August.
First Division Conference A
Ormiston v Tweedmouth Rangers
Ormiston’s last five games: LDLLD
BOTTOM of the table Ormiston already know they will be playing in the Second Division next term.
However, a victory in their penultimate home game of the campaign could be enough to see them edge closer to moving off the bottom.
Tweedmouth Rangers sit two places above their rivals and won the reverse fixture after a seven-goal thriller.
Craigroyston sit five points above Richie Weir’s men and three points for the county side would be most welcome.
First Division Conference B
Easthouses Lily MW v Preston Athletic
Preston Athletic’s last five games: LLWDD
BACK-TO-BACK defeats have significantly dented Preston Athletic’s hopes of joining neighbours Haddington Athletic in the top flight of the EoSFL.
Defeats to Heriot-Watt University and Luncarty have left Preston sitting four points adrift of Oakley United with just two games to play.
It means nothing less than a victory in their final away game of the season at Easthouses Lily MW will do.
Preston will hope they can pick up three points while Oakley and Glenrothes are not in action.
A 5-0 win over the Midlothian opposition in September shows what they are capable of and it will at least put pressure on the Fife sides to pick up victories.
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