FIVE county sides face competitive games this weekend as Preston Athletic face a spell on the sidelines.
Tranent Juniors continue their bid for promotion from the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) against Gretna 2008.
Meanwhile, Musselburgh Athletic will be looking to get back to action after suffering a postponement last weekend.
They welcome Oakley United to Olivebank this afternoon while fellow East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier Division side Haddington Athletic venture to Blackburn United.
In the First Division, Dunbar United welcome Rosyth and Ormiston Primrose host Edinburgh United in the Second Division.
Games involving Haddington and Ormiston kick off at 2pm, with Dunbar and Musselburgh starting half an hour later.
Tranent’s game starts at 3pm.
Match of the Day
Musselburgh Athletic v Oakley United
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Musselburgh Athletic last five games: WLWDL
THE race for second spot in the top flight of the EoSFL looks like going deep into the spring.
Jeanfield Swifts hold pole position but Crossgates Primrose, Sauchie Juniors, Musselburgh Athletic and Penicuik Athletic are all within two points.
Liam Burns and his side had been due to face Vale of Leithen last weekend but saw the game called off due to the weather.
Now, they turn their attention to a home contest with Oakley United.
The Fife side sit off the bottom on goal difference only and have won just one of their 15 league encounters.
It represents a good opportunity for the home side to pick up three points but they will need to watch they are not complacent.
Tranent Juniors v Gretna 2008
Scottish Lowland Football League
Tranent Juniors last five games: LWWLD
DEFEAT seven days ago against Celtic B was a setback as Tranent aim for back-to-back promotion.
Colin Nish’s men remain firmly in the hunt at the top of the SLFL, though, with just three points separating the top five teams.
Celtic B and Rangers B top the table but with neither team eligible for promotion all is still to play for.
The visitors to Foresters Park sit 15th in the table but sprung a surprise in the reverse meeting with a 2-1 win.
Today’s game is the sort that Tranent will need to win if they are to be challenging at the end of the season.
Blackburn United v Haddington Athletic
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Haddington Athletic last five games: WDWWL
POSTPONEMENT last weekend prevented Haddington Athletic from potentially extending their undefeated streak to five games.
Now, they travel to Blackburn United looking to make it back-to-back wins.
The Hi Hi are six points ahead of their West Lothian rivals who sit in the final relegation spot at the bottom of the Premier Division.
Goals have not been a problem for Blackburn, who have scored 15 more than their Haddington counterparts.
However, they have conceded 15 more as well.
A win for Haddington could take them into the top half of the table.
Dunbar United v Rosyth
East of Scotland Football League First Division
Dunbar United last five games: LWWWW
SEVEN points clear at the top of the First Division, Dunbar United will be looking to extend their advantage.
Rosyth cross the Forth with their own promotion ambitions and they sit five points adrift of Kirkcaldy and Dysart, who sit third.
The Seasiders put in a promising showing before going down to Crossgates Primrose in midweek cup action.
Now, they will be looking to get back to winning ways having defeated Rosyth 2-1 on the opening day of the campaign.
Ormiston Primrose v Edinburgh United
East of Scotland Football League Second Division
Ormiston Primrose last five games: LDLLL
JUST five points separate Ormiston Primrose and Edinburgh United at the bottom of the Second Division table.
Richie Weir’s men have only picked up one league win all season but know that they could pull themselves back into the battle to avoid the drop.
The Capital club were docked two points for fielding an ineligible player and sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference only.
Ormiston will need to be at their best to spring a surprise and will be hoping home advantage proves key.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here