Football: County sides looking to progress in South Challenge Cup

Preston Athletic, Tranent, Haddington Athletic and Dunbar United will all be looking to follow in the footsteps of Musselburgh Athletic, who defeated Edinburgh College last night (Friday).

A place in the third round of the South Challenge Cup is up for grabs but only Preston Athletic have home advantage.

Arniston Rangers are the visitors to the Pennypit.

Elsewhere, Tranent face a trip to Harthill Royal while Haddington Athletic travel to Leith Athletic and Dunbar United venture south to Peebles Rovers.

Ormiston Primrose are not in action this weekend.

Preston Athletic (blue) bounced back from conceding an early goal to thump Leith Athletic 5-1. Image: Gordon Bell

Match of the Day

Preston Athletic v Arniston Rangers

South Challenge Cup Second Round

Kick-off 2.30pm

PRESTON Athletic and Arniston Rangers have already met this campaign and it was the Midlothian men who came out on top.

Three unanswered goals gave them victory on the second day of the league season.

Preston will be hoping home advantage proves decisive again and they will be buoyed by a 5-1 thumping of Leith Athletic last weekend.

Just a point separates Preston and their visitors in the East of Scotland Football League First Division and signs point to a close contest.

Tranent (maroon) venture to Harthill

Harthill Royal v Tranent

South Challenge Cup Second Round

Kick-off 2.30pm

PLENTY of time has passed since Tranent last met Harthill.

The two sides were rivals in the East Juniors’ South Division in 2015/16 but have gone on different paths since.

Tranent are now battling it out for promotion into the SPFL while Harthill sit in the bottom tier of the EoSFL.

Ian Little’s side have won three out of three since he took charge and the Foresters Park faithful will be hoping that record is extended.

Haddington Athletic (maroon) have enjoyed a promising start to the campaign

Leith Athletic v Haddington Athletic

South Challenge Cup Second Round

Kick-off 3pm

NOT TOO long ago, Haddington Athletic and Leith Athletic were battling it out for promotion to the top tier of the EoSFL.

Haddington, ultimately, won that battle and have now cemented their status in the Premier Division.

In contrast, Leith Athletic currently sit 13th in the First Division.

Haddington will go as favourites but know they need to be at their best to ensure progression.

Dunbar United face a trip south today (Saturday)

Peebles Rovers v Dunbar United

South Challenge Cup Second Round

Kick-off 2.30pm

MORE than four years have passed since Dunbar last tackled Peebles Rovers.

On that occasion, Dunbar were 2-1 winners at Whitestone Park and they will be looking to make it back-to-back wins.

The Seasiders will be boosted by a 2-1 win over Haddington Athletic last weekend and know they are capable of securing a spot in the third round of the competition.

Their hosts won on a visit to Ormiston Primrose last weekend.