THE Scottish Cup takes centre stage today (Saturday) as four of the county’s football teams start the Road to Hampden.
Haddington Athletic and Preston Athletic both have home advantage in the competition as they welcome Darvel and Newton Stewart.
Musselburgh Athletic and Dunbar United are both on their travels.
Joe Hamill’s Musselburgh make the familiar trip to Penicuik Athletic while Dunbar travel to Vale of Leithen.
Elsewhere, Tranent Juniors begin life without Calum Elliot with a Lowland League contest at Bo’ness United.
Cup action is also on the agenda for Ormiston Primrose, who host Lochore Welfare in the second round of the Alex Jack Cup.
Both Ormiston and Musselburgh get their cup contests under way at 2.30pm, with the remaining games starting at 3pm.
Match of the day
Penicuik Athletic v Musselburgh Athletic
Scottish Cup
HISTORY was made when Musselburgh Athletic last met Penicuik Athletic in the Scottish Cup.
The East Lothian side was making its debut in the competition having lifted the South and East Cup-Winners Shield.
Darren Downie scored an extra time winner at Penicuik Park after Musselburgh had twice led the game in normal time.
Now, Joe Hamill and his team return to Midlothian looking to again progress in the competition.
Penicuik only missed out on winning the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League last season to Tranent Juniors on goal difference.
They have again started the season in impressive form and sit joint top of the table; only kept off top spot by goal difference.
Meanwhile, Musselburgh have been inconsistent with one win and a draw from their opening four league games.
Haddington Athletic v Darvel
Scottish Cup
SCOTT Bonar’s men go into the preliminary round tie with Darvel as underdogs, despite home advantage.
The Ayrshire side, who feature a number of players who have played at a higher level, missed out on promotion to the Lowland League after losing out to Tranent Juniors last season.
They began this season with a defeat to Cumnock Juniors but have bounced back and will be among the favourites to win the top flight of the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL).
Meanwhile, Bonar’s team have been inconsistent in the Premier Division of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).
An identical record to neighbours Musselburgh has them sitting in mid-table after four games.
However, last year, they knocked out Highland League outfit Deveronvale before a stoppage time winner at Brechin saw their cup journey ended.
Preston Athletic v Newton Stewart
Scottish Cup
CO-MANAGER Paul Currie is no stranger to the Scottish Cup having been part of the Arbroath side that took Celtic to a replay a decade ago.
Now, alongside Paul Montgomery, he is trying to guide Preston Athletic into the first round of the competition.
The Panners welcome South of Scotland Football League side Newton Stewart to the Pennypit.
The Creesiders were 3-0 winners over Stranraer Reserves last week and will be hopeful of springing a surprise.
Preston’s own East of Scotland Qualifying Cup journey was ended last week at the hands of Musselburgh but they have enjoyed a decent start to the season as they look to win promotion to the Premier Division.
Vale of Leithen v Dunbar United
Scottish Cup
THE Seasiders head south to Vale of Leithen looking to spring a surprise.
Kevin Haynes and his team play one tier below their hosts in the Scottish football pyramid.
However, with the hosts having lost all four of their encounters in the Premier Division and Dunbar having won all three of their First Division matches, it is delicately poised.
Dunbar’s impressive start to the season continued last week with victory at Tweedmouth Rangers while Vale of Leithen lost out at Dundonald Bluebell.
Bo’ness United v Tranent Juniors
Scottish Lowland Football League
THE unexpected departure of Calum Elliot has left Tranent Juniors looking for a new manager ahead of a trip to Bo’ness United.
The former Hearts striker guided Tranent to the EoSFL Premier Division title and then through a play-off with St Cuthbert Wanderers and Darvel in his only full season in charge.
He leaves his side sitting with one defeat from their opening five games in the fifth tier of Scottish football.
Their opponents sit third in the standings, three points clear but having played a game more.
The Belters will look to put the upheaval behind them and continue their fine start to life in the Lowland League.
Ormiston Primrose v Lochore Welfare
Alex Jack Cup
A DRAW in midweek against Edinburgh United extended Ormiston Primrose’s promising start to the season.
The New Recreation Park side have picked up four points and sit 12th in the Second Division standings.
Today’s guests, Lochore Welfare, play in the tier above, alongside Dunbar United and Preston Athletic.
Each of their four league games this season has finished 2-1, with two in favour of Lochore and two for their opponents.
Ormiston will likely need to be near their best if they are to cause a cup upset.
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