TWO East Lothian football teams could find themselves top of their leagues by 5pm this evening (Saturday).
Tranent Juniors face Spartans in Edinburgh and know a victory could put them top of the pile in the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL).
Meanwhile, in East Lothian, Dunbar United could return to first in the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) First Division with victory over Kinnoull.
Elsewhere, Haddington Athletic will leapfrog opponents Blackburn United if they are victorious in the EoSFL Premier Division while Musselburgh Athletic could move up to sixth if they defeat visitors Jeanfield Swifts.
Preston Athletic face table-topping Kirkcaldy & Dysart in the First Division and would move to within three points with a win.
Finally, Ormiston Primrose will be looking to avoid defeat against Peebles Rovers for the third time this campaign.
Ormiston’s match kicks off at 2pm with the remaining EoSFL matches involving county sides starting half an hour later.
Tranent’s contest is a 3pm start.
Match of the Day
Spartans v Tranent Juniors
Scottish Lowland Football League
Tranent Juniors last five games: WDWWL
A GOAL difference of two is all that separates Tranent Juniors and Spartans near the top of the SLFL.
Four points over the last seven days have lifted Tranent Juniors up to third and level with their hosts today.
The match also represents the halfway point of the season and Colin Nish – and Calum Elliot – can be pleased with how the side has adjusted to life in the fifth tier of Scottish football.
Tranent were excellent in their defeat of Open Goal Broomhill and would move top of the table if they beat Spartans and Rangers B fail to defeat Bo’ness United.
Haddington Athletic v Blackburn United
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Haddington Athletic last five games: LLWLL
A WIN for inconsistent Haddington Athletic would lift them away from the relegation zone in the top flight of the EoSFL.
Oakley United and Vale of Leithen have both been cut adrift at the bottom but just four points separate Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in ninth and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in 14th.
Scott Bonar’s Haddington sit 12th in the table – two points above the drop zone – and one point behind their visitors from West Lothian, Blackburn United.
The Hi Hi have been hampered by injuries but have had a few players returning in recent weeks.
Musselburgh Athletic v Jeanfield Swifts
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Musselburgh Athletic last five games: WWLWW
BACK-TO-BACK wins for Musselburgh Athletic have Liam Burns and his team sitting in seventh place in the Premier Division.
A third consecutive win could be enough to see them move up to sixth in the standings.
However, they face a challenging encounter with third placed Jeanfield Swifts, who were also in the title race last season.
The Perth side will be looking to pick up points to keep the pressure on Linlithgow Rose but Burns and his side are becoming accustomed to that winning feeling.
Dunbar United v Kinnoull
East of Scotland Football League First Division
Dunbar United last five games: LWLWW
DEFEAT to Glenrothes last time out meant Dunbar United slipped off top spot in the First Division.
It is looking like an incredibly competitive division with just six points separating ninth and the top of the table.
The top three are only separated on goal difference, with the Seasiders sitting in the last promotion place.
Kinnoull head to New Countess Park as one of the clubs with their own promotion ambitions and sit three points adrift.
Kevin Haynes and his team have been impressive at home in the league and have taken 15 points from a possible 15.
Preston Athletic v Kirkcaldy & Dysart
East of Scotland Football League First Division
Preston Athletic last five games: LLLWW
A LATE Luncarty goal meant it was a hat-trick of defeats last weekend for Preston Athletic.
Now, Paul Currie and his team face the league leaders Kirkcaldy & Dysart looking to get back to winning ways.
Postponements have left the Pennypit side watching other teams move above them in the table but they can put themselves right back in the mix with three points.
Their last three points in the league came at home when they ended Dunbar United’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
Peebles Rovers v Ormiston Primrose
East of Scotland Football League Second Division
Ormiston Primrose last five games: LDLLL
A NARROW defeat to Lochgelly Albert last weekend saw Ormiston Primrose slip to second bottom of the Second Division.
However, Richie Weir’s men can take confidence from the fact they have played Peebles Rovers twice this season and avoided defeat.
They won a penalty shoot-out in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at New Recreation Park and the spoils were shared again in the reverse league fixture.
Peebles have picked up a bit of form recently but Ormiston have been battling well and will be hopeful of springing a surprise.
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