Preview: Trio of clubs ready for Challenge Cup contests

The majority of the teams are contesting third round ties in the Challenge Cup as Dunbar United, Musselburgh Athletic and Tranent Juniors all look to progress.

The Seasiders head to Airdrie to face Gartcairn while Musselburgh head further west to face Kilwinning Rangers.

Tranent have home advantage and welcome Blackburn United.

Preston Athletic are involved in the only First Division match in the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) as they travel to Lochore Welfare.

Finally, Ormiston Primrose travel to Stirling University Reserves in the Second Division.

The cup games involving Dunbar and Musselburgh both kick-off at 1.30pm.

Preston’s game in Fife starts at 2pm, with Ormiston’s tie starting half an hour later.

Finally, Tranent and Blackburn face off at 3pm.

Musselburgh Athletic (black) continued their good form with victory over Jeanfield Swifts

Match of the Day

Kilwinning Rangers v Musselburgh Athletic

Challenge Cup Third Round

Musselburgh Athletic last five games: WWWLW

AN INTRIGUING battle of east versus west is on the cards as Musselburgh Athletic look to keep up their good recent form.

Seven wins in eight contests since Liam Burns took the helm means the Olivebank side have eased away from the bottom of the Premier Division.

A bid to overtake the six sides above them in the standings will be put on hold while they travel to Kilwinning.

The Ayrshire side ended Tranent’s involvement in the Scottish Cup earlier in the campaign and will be looking to knock out another county side.

They sit 12th in the top flight of the West of Scotland Football League (WOSFL) but have as many as three games in hand over some of the teams above them.

Dunbar United (black and white) defeated Preston Athletic to set up a third round South Region Challenge Cup tie with Gartcairn.

Gartcairn v Dunbar United

Challenge Cup Third Round

Dunbar United last five games: WLWLW

DUNBAR United bounced back from defeat in the best possible way last weekend.

The Seasiders had lost to Glenrothes and slipped off the top of the First Division table.

However, they put on a five-star display to defeat Kinnoull and move back into first place.

League points will not be on the line this afternoon though as Dunbar head west to face Gartcairn.

The Airdrie-based side sit top of the First Division in the WOSFL and a tough contest looks to be on the cards.

Tranent Juniors (maroon) shared the spoils with Rangers B at Foresters Park earlier this month

Tranent Juniors v Blackburn United

Challenge Cup Third Round

Tranent Juniors last five games: DWDWW

COLIN Nish’s side have hit an impressive run of form as of late.

The Belters are now unbeaten in their last five games, which includes top of the table clashes with Rangers B and Spartans.

Any bid to move further up the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) will be put on hold this afternoon, though.

Blackburn United head to East Lothian for the second week in a row having lost out on league business at Haddington.

Tranent will be favourites going into the tie and with the right application will be looking to progress.

Preston Athletic (blue) knocked Kirkcaldy and Dysart off of top spot with a victory at the Pennypit

Lochore Welfare v Preston Athletic

East of Scotland Football League First Division

Preston Athletic last five games: WLLLW

VICTORY over Kirkcaldy & Dysart ended an unwanted three-game winless run for Preston Athletic.

The Prestonpans side remain in the promotion hunt in a tightly-contested First Division.

And with every other promotion contender in cup action or sidelined, they will be looking to pick up some points at Lochore Welfare.

The contest had been due to be played at the end of last month but poor weather so the game postponed.

The hosts have lost eight of their 11 games but will be keen for points to ease any relegation worries.

Ormiston Primrose (black and white) are looking to end a lengthy winless run

Stirling University Reserves v Ormiston Primrose

East of Scotland Football League Second Division

Ormiston Primrose last five games: LLDLL

A 14-GAME winless streak faces Ormiston Primrose ahead of a trip to Stirling University Reserves.

Richie Weir’s men face a daunting challenge as they take on a side sitting seventh in the Second Division table.

Ormiston’s only league win this campaign came against Hawick Royal Albert at the beginning of the season.

The students have only lost three times and will be keen to keep up the pressure on the sides above them.