CUP action takes centre stage for East Lothian’s senior football sides this afternoon (Saturday).
Five first round League Cup ties take place while Tranent Juniors are 90 minutes away from a quarter-final place in the South Challenge Cup.
Haddington Athletic and Preston Athletic have home advantage in the League Cup as they welcome Craigroyston and Broxburn Athletic respectively.
Musselburgh Athletic venture to Fife to face Glenrothes while Dunbar United head to Lochore Welfare.
Ormiston Primrose have a shorter trip as they head to the Capital to face Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.
Tranent Juniors travel to Airdrie to face Gartcairn.
Match of the Day
Preston Athletic v Broxburn Athletic
League Cup First Round
Preston Athletic last five games: WWLLW
Kick-off: 2.30pm
BACK-TO-BACK wins have inspired confidence at Preston Athletic, who will be out to cause a cup shock.
Premier Division Broxburn Athletic are 15 places above the Pennypit men in the football pyramid.
However, with home advantage, Paul Currie and John Daly will be hopeful of springing a surprise.
They showed their fighting qualities in coming from behind to knock Thornton Hibs out of the King Cup last weekend.
In contrast, Broxburn dropped points to lowly Oakley United seven days ago.
Glenrothes v Musselburgh Athletic
League Cup First Round
Musselburgh Athletic last five games: LWWWW
Kick-off: 1.30pm
HILL of Beath Hawthorn ended Musselburgh’s four-game winning streak last weekend and the county side will be looking to respond.
That defeat put a severe dent in Musselburgh’s fading chances of catching Linlithgow Rose at the top of the Premier Division.
The runner-up spot is still very much a possibility but league placings will take a back seat today.
One team who will be keen to join them in the top tier of the East of Scotland Football League are Glenrothes.
The Fife side are 14 points adrift of First Division leaders Dunbar United but could move top of the standings if they win their five games in hand.
Haddington Athletic v Craigroyston
League Cup First Round
Haddington Athletic last five games: WWWWW
Kick-off: 2.30pm
ON PAPER, Haddington Athletic will be big favourites to progress to the second round of the League Cup.
Unbeaten in nine games with five consecutive wins, Scott Bonar’s men are enjoying a season to remember.
In contrast, Craigroyston are battling to avoid a drop to the Second Division and secured a point against Ormiston Primrose last weekend.
However, the manager will be keen to guard against complacency and look to take the impressive run into double figures.
Lochore Welfare v Dunbar United
League Cup First Round
Dunbar United last five games: LWWWW
Kick-off: 2.30pm
TABLE-TOPPING Dunbar United suffered a bump on the road to potential promotion last weekend.
The Seasiders were thumped 4-0 by Kirkcaldy & Dysart and will be looking to bounce back on another trip over the Forth.
Their hosts sit in 12th spot in the First Division and will welcome the break from battling relegation.
The two sides are yet to meet at Central Park but Dunbar were 2-1 winners at New Countess Park in early October.
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Ormiston Primrose
League Cup First Round
Ormiston Primrose last five games: DDDWL
Kick-off: 3pm
MORALE will be high at New Recreation Park as Ormiston Primrose extended their recent good form.
A 1-1 draw at Craigroyston has kept the hopes of avoiding relegation alive with this weekend offering the chance for a cup upset.
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale will go into the tie as big favourites given they play two tiers above their visitors.
However, those good results recently will have boosted the Ormiston camp as they look to progress.
Gartcairn v Tranent Juniors
South Challenge Cup Fifth Round
Tranent Juniors last five games: WLWWW
Kick-off: 2pm
A QUARTER-FINAL place is the reward for the winners of Gartcairn and Tranent Juniors.
The West of Scotland Football League side knocked Dunbar United out of the competition in November and will be looking to claim another East Lothian scalp.
Colin Nish’s men also have the small matter of battling it out at the top of the Scottish Lowland Football League to think about.
However, they will also recognise that they are closing in on another trophy.
Victory would mean another match in a busy schedule but also the chance to gain silverware.
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