BEYOND THE PREM
4 lower-league crackers
Bairns bid to kickstart season FALKIRK were widely tipped to be Dundee United’s closest rivals in the battle for the Championship title.
But a return of just one point from a possible six represents a slow start for the Bairns who are already five adrift of the Terrors in the league table.
Peter Houston, below, will attempt to get their league campaign off and running today when they travel to face Dunfermline in front of a big crowd at East End Park.
With title favourites United a likely home banker against Brechin, Falkirk can ill-afford to concede more ground and must get back on track in Fife.
Caley desperate for Ton tonic It isn’t a great time to be an Inverness Caledonian Thistle supporter. Relegation from the Premiership stung and there continues to be off-field drama with chairman Willie Finlayson announcing he will stand down at the end of the month.
It’s hoped a £500,000 investment will help to balance the books but what is being served up on the pitch will be dominating Jags chat in the Highland capital.
Caley’s 5-1 humbling at Dunfermline prompted new boss John Robertson to tell his players a few home truths and he will find out today whether or not his words fell on deaf ears.
They will not come up against a more hardworking, well-organised side in visitors Morton. In fact, they could learn a lot from the way the Greenock side go about their business. Can free-scoring Ayr
be stopped? The A77 south will be full of Ayr supporters today as the League One title hopefuls roll into Stranraer with a travelling army of fans.
Although Raith Rovers are the bookies’ favourites, the Honest Men have made a blistering start to the season for Ian McCall, above – winning seven of their eight games.
Free-scoring Ayr are averaging 3.5 goals per game and look irresistible but a trip to Stranraer will give an insight into just how strong they are.
You only have to go back to the 2014-15 campaign which saw the Blues clean sweep over Ayr, racking up four victories out of four.
No substitute for experience Following Cowdenbeath’s 2-0 defeat by Raith in the Betfred Cup, manager Billy Brown was asked if his target was the promotion play-offs after the club retained their SPFL status by the skin of its teeth last season.
“That’s the aim,” the 66-year-old replied after an awkward pause in which he raised a nervous smile. It’s a sign, perhaps, that objectives have been set a little lower.
But what do you know? Two games in and the Blue Brazil have taken four points from six to sit fourth in the League Two table.
It’s a trip to rejuvenated Montrose today for a youthful Cowdenbeath who have responded positively to the old hand directing operations from the dugout.