Kelty’s title chase goes on the road

It is looking like a three-horse race now for the Lowland League title and the chance to play off against the Highland League’s top team for a place in the SPFL.

Kelty Hearts sit top, six points clear of Bonnyrigg Rose in second, however the Lothian side have two games in hand.

East Stirlingshire are very much outsiders in third, eleven points behind Kelty having played two more games.

But the team to watch may be fourth-placed BSC Glasgow who are 14 points behind with three games in hand – and they have still to play Kelty twice.

This weekend the league leaders are on the road to Ainslie Park to take on The Spartans, a side that are unbeaten in four games after losing the year opener at home to Civil Service Strollers.

Hearts boss Barry Ferguson is expected to have the same squad that comfortably beat Dalbeattie Star 4-0 last weekend.

Elsewhere, Bonnyrigg Rose face Edinburgh University at New Dundas Park and East Stirlingshire host Gala Fairydean Rovers.

BSC Glasgow’s away clash with University of Stirling was called off yesterday because of a waterlogged pitch.

Dundonald Bluebell boss Kevin Fotheringham admits the weather is once again likely to cause havoc with the fixture list as his side prepare for an East of Scotland League Premier Division game at home to third-placed Camelon.

Should the game survive, three points for the Fifers could see them really in among the pack chasing Bo’ness United after going down 1-0 to the leaders last weekend.

Fotheringham will be without goalkeeper James Lennox for around a month and has doubts over Aiden Hendry and Derek Wallace.

Hill of Beath remain the leading challengers to Bo’ness with three games in hand on the top side, albeit 10 points behind. Manager John Mitchell has got the Haws playing some good football and last week they ended Whitehill Welfare’s brief upturn in form with a Daniel Watt-inspired 2-0 win.

This weekend they are on the road to East Lothian as they visit Musselburgh Athletic at Olivebank. When the sides met in November at Keir’s Park the game ended in a 3-0 win for Hill of Beath but Musselburgh are a better side and will prove tough opponents.

Mitchell is expected to have the same squad available that beat Whitehill Welfare.

Jeanfield Swifts’ journey to Linlithgow Rose has been put on hold with Prestonfield waterlogged and the game was postponed yesterday.

Fourth-placed Broxburn host Dunbar United at Albyn Park, while Sauchie against Bo’ness is off.

The big game in the Premier League is at Foresters Park where Johnny Harvey has returned home to the Tranent Juniors hot seat and his tenure begins against Penicuik Athletic, where Harvey enjoyed a lot of success.

Burntisland Shipyard have the chance to go above Oakley United in Conference A as they travel to take on Peebles Rovers.

Should it survive the weather, there is a great tie in the second round of the King Cup at Ballast Bank between the top two in Conference B as Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts take on Tynecastle.

Glenrothes co-manager John Martin added defender Stuart Walton to their squad as they head to the capital to face Ormiston.

Glens are on the road again after last week’s 1-0 away win at Peebles Rovers.

St Andrews United – who fell to a surprise home loss to Coldstream in the First Division last week – host Haddington Athletic at Barnetts Park in the second round of the King Cup.

Kinnoull travel to the Gannochy Sports Centre to face Stirling University EOS.

Alan Cameron’s side thrashed Arniston Rangers 7-0 at home last weekend.