IT IS derby day for four of East Lothian’s football teams this afternoon.
Haddington Athletic host Musselburgh Athletic in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) while Preston Athletic lock horns with Dunbar United in the First Division.
Elsewhere, Tranent welcome Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League while Ormiston Primrose venture south to face Tweedmouth Rangers.
The Lowland League clash kicks off at 3pm and the EoSFL ties get under way at 2.30pm.
Match of the Day
Haddington Athletic v Musselburgh Athletic
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Haddington Athletic last five games: WDLLL
Musselburgh Athletic last five games: LWWWL
MUSSELBURGH Athletic make the short trip east to face a Haddington side who have been sidelined for a number of weeks.
Former Haddington Athletic player/manager Joe Hamill stepped down from the Olivebank hot seat earlier this week.
That came after their Scottish Cup journey was ended by Newtongrange Star following extra time in the Honest Toun.
Liam Burns and Wayne Sproule will take over following the match but it is expected experienced members of the existing squad will be in charge for this contest.
Meanwhile, Haddington have played just once in September – a 2-1 win at Dundonald Bluebell at the beginning of the month.
Scott Bonar’s team have been hampered by absences in their first season in the Premier Division.
However, they are hopeful of being closer to full strength for the derby clash.
Just one point separates the two sides in the table as Haddington lead Musselburgh, who have a game in hand.
Tranent Juniors v Cowdenbeath
Scottish Lowland Football League
Tranent Juniors last five games: LDDWW
NOT so long ago, Cowdenbeath were playing in the Championship while Tranent were still in Junior football.
Now, Colin Nish is looking for his first win as Tranent boss over his former employers.
The Belters will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing exit in the Scottish Cup to Kilwinning Rangers last weekend.
Nish’s men had led 2-0 but ended up losing 4-2 to the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) side.
In the league, Tranent’s form has been more than decent as a team making their debut in the fifth tier of Scottish football.
An opening day defeat to East Kilbride has been followed by a seven-game unbeaten run.
In contrast, their opponents, relegated at the end of last term, have won just two of their opening eight games.
Preston Athletic v Dunbar United
East of Scotland Football League First Division
Preston Athletic last five games: LWLLW
Dunbar United last five games: WWDWW
CONTRASTING fortunes would be a fitting way to describe the form of Preston Athletic and Dunbar United in recent games.
The Panners lost to Kirkcaldy and Dysart at the weekend having lost out in cup clashes to Newton Stewart and Musselburgh Athletic.
Meanwhile, Dunbar are yet to experience the feeling of losing this campaign.
Their latest victory came against Highland League side Clachnacuddin in the Scottish Cup.
An immediate return to the Premier Division is the main aim for the campaign and they have taken 13 points from a possible 15 so far.
Preston sit two points adrift but have played two games more as they bid to go one step further than last season and secure promotion.
Tweedmouth Rangers v Ormiston Primrose
East of Scotland Football League Second Division
Ormiston Primrose last five games: DLLLD
A SECOND half comeback against Peebles Rovers stopped Ormiston Primrose’s losing run at three last weekend.
Now, they will be aiming to pick up three points and jump out of the relegation zone.
Heavy defeats are not as frequent as last term but Richie Weir’s men will be looking to gain just their second three points of the season.
Doing so would see them leapfrog their opponents Tweedmouth Rangers who sit two points ahead of them in the table.
The New Recreation Park are scoring more goals this campaign and are already into double figures for the season.
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