Kelty strengthen squad by signing versatile Flynn

Kelty Hearts have strengthened their squad by signing Matty Flynn from East Stirlingshire ahead of their trip to Netherdale to meet Gala Fairydean Rovers.

He is well known to manager Barry Ferguson having played under him for two years at Clyde after winning player of the year at Annan.

The versatile 31-year old had started almost every game for title rivals East Stirlingshire and is comfortable playing either as a striker or attacking/central midfielder.

With second-placed Bonnyrigg entertaining Clyde in the Scottish Cup this afternoon, Hearts can extend their advantage at the top to six points if they can complete the double over Gala having won the first meeting 3-0.

East of Scotland League Premier Division

Jeanfield Swifts welcome Sauchie and the form book suggests Swifts should chalk up a fifth straight victory. The suspended Connor Mclaren is their only absentee for the game which has a 1.30pm start.

Football Nation Qualifying Cup

Three Courier Country clubs are involved in third round ties in the Football Nation Qualifying Cup.

Two meet at Humbug Park where Hill of Beath make the short trip to take on Crossgates Primrose.

With Haws having won both league meetings 4-1, Primrose have a lot to do if they are going to get the better of their neighbours.

Note this tie has a 1.30pm start.

Dundonald Bluebell head to the seaside to meet Dunbar United.

This is the first meeting of the clubs this season as the league match at Countess Park in October was postponed.

The Bluebell could be in better shape as they have Calum Strang (cup-tied), Matty Gay (injured) and three – Craig Wedderburn, Coiln Wilson and Lewis Mckenzie – facing fitness tests.

Consequently, a couple of the U20s are likely to be called up.

In a second round clash, Kinnoull face Premier Division Penicuik at home.

Bearing in mind that Partick Thistle struggled against the Cuikie in the Scottish Cup, the Tulloch Park outfit can take heart from their city neighbours Swifts having defeated their visitors three weeks ago.

The home side are also boosted by striker Ben Ragan’s return to fitness.

Conference A/B

In an all-conference clash, St Andrews United host Leith Athletic.

It will be a real tester for Andy Brown’s boys because the Edinburgh side top the table, though they only defeated Saints 1-0 in their meeting at Peffermill in August.

Saints have Ollie Fleming suspended, but Daryl Falconer has recovered from a virus.

Inverkeithing HS have Lothian Thistle HV as guests. With Swifts sitting second in Conference B and Thistle third in Conference A, it will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

With only one defeat in their last 15 games, the visitors are clearly a very decent outfit, but Swifts go into this game on the back of four straight victories.

Burntisland are away to Conference B side Edinburgh United.

Having lost their last four games, Shippy will be anxious to take something from this game.

Facing the biggest test of all are Oakley who head to Tynecastle, the runaway leaders of Conference B, who have only dropped four points out of a possible 60.

Glenrothes welcome Arniston Rangers.

The two Warout newcomers – striker Owen Andrew and leftsided Kieran Macaulay, on loan from Kelty Hearts until the end of the season – are set to figure, but co-boss John Martin and Lewis Grierson are absentees.

Glens are without John Martin and Lewis Grierson for the trip.