TITLE challenges and a bid to avoid relegation are on the line this afternoon (Saturday).
Tranent Juniors are looking to bounce back from their defeat to Rangers B last time out and host Dalbeattie Star in the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL).
Musselburgh Athletic will be looking to keep the pressure on Linlithgow Rose at the top of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier Division.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn are the visitors to Olivebank while Haddington Athletic travel into the Capital to face Tynecastle.
In the First Division, Dunbar United will be looking to take another step towards promotion as they venture to Kirkcaldy and Dysart.
Ormiston Primrose face a crucial match with Craigroyston at the bottom of the Second Division and Preston Athletic host Thornton Hibs in the first round of the King Cup.
Tranent’s contest gets under way at 3pm with the EoSFL ties kicking off at 2.30pm.
Match of the Day
Craigroyston v Ormiston Primrose
East of Scotland Football League Second Division
Ormiston Primrose last five games: DDWLD
ARGUABLY, the biggest game of Ormiston Primrose’s season comes at Craigroyston.
One defeat in their last five has boosted Richie Weir’s side in their bid to avoid relegation to the fourth tier of the EoSFL.
However, they remain four points from safety with their opponents occupying that 14th place that would keep them up.
Both of Ormiston’s victories in the league have come at home this term but a win in the Capital would be a real boost to their survival hopes.
The two sides are due to meet again in May.
Tranent Juniors v Dalbeattie Star
Scottish Lowland Football League
Tranent Juniors last five games: LWWWL
DEFEAT to Rangers B last time out was a blow in Tranent’s bid to finish top of the SLFL.
The Belters sit fifth of the five teams aiming to win the league and potentially go on to face the winners of the Scottish Highland Football League.
Rock bottom Dalbeattie Star are the visitors to Foresters Park in a game that Tranent will likely need to win if they are to be celebrating at the end of the campaign.
The Dumfries and Galloway side are locked in a battle with Edinburgh University to avoid finishing bottom and will look to spring a surprise.
Musselburgh Athletic v Hill of Beath Hawthorn
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Musselburgh Athletic last five games: WWWWL
POSTPONEMENT last week meant Musselburgh Athletic were unable to attempt to build on their impressive form.
Time on the sidelines also allowed the clubs in action to jump above them in the table.
Sauchie and Jeanfield Swifts are now closest to Linlithgow Rose at the top but Liam Burns and his side do have a game in hand.
Today, the host a Hill of Beath Hawthorn side desperate for points at the other end of the table.
They sit in the final relegation place, three points adrift of Blackburn United.
Tynecastle v Haddington Athletic
East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Haddington Athletic last five games: WWWWD
EIGHT games without defeat has seen Haddington Athletic race up the Premier Division table since the turn of the year.
Scott Bonar’s men were big winners against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale last weekend and will be out to move closer to the top five at Tynecastle.
The Capital club sit seven points clear of Hill of Beath Hawthorn at the bottom of the table but will be keen to put further daylight between themselves and their rivals to ensure safety.
The two sides shared a goalless draw at the end of August in the reverse fixture.
Kirkcaldy and Dysart v Dunbar United
East of Scotland Football League First Division
Dunbar United last five games: WWWWL
VICTORY over Newtongrange Star last weekend extended Dunbar’s advantage at the top of the First Division to 13 points.
Kevin Haynes and his team will not be getting too carried away just yet but, equally, will be keen to secure promotion as soon as possible.
Glenrothes and Luncarty both have games in hand over the Seasiders and could trim the lead at the top of the table.
The next hurdle for Dunbar is a trip to a Kirkcaldy and Dysart team sitting eighth in the standings.
Nine wins and eight defeats highlights their inconsistency but also their ability to pick up a win on their day.
Preston Athletic v Thornton Hibs
King Cup First Round
Preston Athletic last five games: WLLWL
SEVENTH in the First Division welcomes ninth in the Second Division in the first round of the King Cup.
Paul Currie’s men were unfortunate to be sidelined last weekend, unable to build on a fine win at Newtongrange Star one week earlier.
Now, cup action takes centre stage as they welcome Thornton Hibs to the Pennypit.
The visitors have not enjoyed the season they would have hoped for but will be out to spring a surprise in Prestonpans.
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