Kelty refreshed for Forthbank

Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts travel to take on Stirling University at Forthbank Stadium today.

Barry Ferguson’s men had time off last week so those with niggles have had a bit of time to recover and the former Rangers skipper has a full squad available for the game. Hearts’ nearest challengers, East Kilbride, are at Gretna, while thirdplaced Spartans are away to fourth-placed BSC Glasgow.

In the East of Scotland League, Oakley United are seventh in Conference A and this weekend travel to sixth-placed Dunbar United. But there are seven points separating the teams, with the Fife side having played a game more.

Oakley have won their last two games away from home under new boss Stewart Kenny and he will be hoping his troops can make it a hat-trick of wins on the road.

The former Tullibody Amateurs manager goes into the game with the same squad that won 2-0 at Hawick last weekend, with the addition of Jack Cowan who returns from injury.

Hill of Beath face thirdplaced Musselburgh Athletic at Keirs Park looking to keep the pressure on conference leaders Penicuik Athletic, who are at home to fourth-placed Newtongrange Star in what could be an important weekend in Conference A.

Haws boss Kevin Fotheringham is without Lewis Elder and Greig Smith but otherwise has a full squad available

In Conference B, Dundonald Bluebell visit old junior foes as they make the relatively short trip to Clackmannanshire to face Sauchie at Beechwood Park.

Bluebell will be hoping they can bounce back from last weekend’s narrow 1-0 defeat by Bo’ness United and keep up the pressure on leaders Bonnyrigg Rose. Derek Wallace and Colin Wilson are unavailable, while Sean O’Neill is injured for the trip.

Should Sauchie slip up at home to Dundonald, then Crossgates Primrose will be confident of closing the gap as they travel to bottom club Eyemouth United, who have lost every game so far. Alan Campbell should have the same squad available that were emphatic 5-2 winners against Dunipace last weekend.

Jeanfield Swifts will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s extra-time defeat by Stirling University as they entertain Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in Conference C.

However, the Fife men are a different side under Lee Duffy to the one that started the season and Jeanfield boss Ross Gunnion will be taking nothing for granted. Swifts welcome back Mark Mitchell and Jamie Reid, which leaves Gunnion with a full-strength squad.

St Andrews United can not afford to lose further ground to teams above them as they welcome Stirling University to Barnetts Park.

Saints are on a run of six straight defeats and have dropped to 11th place. But they do have games in hand on some of the teams above them and the ability to climb up the table. Manager Andy Brown expects to have the same squad available for the students’ visit. Saints lost at Blackburn United last weekend.