Table-top clash should be tasty

All roads lead to New Central Park today for Kelty Hearts’ potential Lowland League title showdown with Bonnyrigg Rose.

Barry Ferguson’s side sit top the table having a three-point advantage over the visitors but with a game more played.

And with the pair still to meet again, neither will claim that victory this afternoon will be decisive in the title race.

But with both having only dropped five points, there is no hiding just how important a victory for either side would be.

Hearts are undefeated at home and Rose unbeaten on the road, which tells you how tight this contest is going to be.

The Fifers limbered up for this enthralling encounter with a 5-0 stroll past Whitehill Welfare in midweek to reach the semi-final of the FN Teamwear Cup.

Premier Division

Second-placed Hill of Beath host Tranent in fourth spot with three points less but with two games more played.

The Haws are without the suspended Shaun Leishman for the first of a double-header with the Lothian outfit.

Jeanfield Swifts host Dundonald Bluebell who, like the Swifts, are in a mid-table position.

Indeed, just a point separates the pair with Swifts having a game in hand, so a close encounter for the first meeting between them this season is in prospect.

Swifts have a full squad of 18 available, while the Fifers are only minus the services of Derek Wallace.

Crossgates Primrose face a difficult fixture with Penicuik Athletic their guests. Although only trailing the visitors by four points, Primrose have played three more games,

The Fifers, who are without the suspended Adam Moffat, have it all to do if they are to extend their five-match unbeaten home run.

Conference A/B

Disappointed by the late call off of Wednesday’s game at Stirling University, due to their backlog of fixtures,

Kinnoull are desperately hoping that today’s match at Dalkeith Thistle goes ahead.

For the trip to the Conference B side, Gordon Norrie and Gordon Chalmers are still unavailable with Adam Frydrychouz remaining a doubt.

St Andrews United are on cross Conference and cross border business away to Berwick-based Tweedmouth.

And with the hosts in the lower reaches of Conference B, Saints, who have everyone available except Daryl Falconer, must be favourites to return with three points.

Conference A

Oakley United face a tough trip to leaders Leith Athletic.

Ross Gruar and Ross Gunn are the Fifers’ only absentees.

Burntisland Shipyard go to Craigroyston and, taking into account that their hosts are without a win and lost 7-0 in the first meeting, anything other than a Shippy win is unimagineable.

Conference B

Inverkeithing HS this week confirmed that the club has reaccredited for the SFA Platinum Award after a formal assessment carried out by the SFA.

The SFA Platinum Award is the highest level of recognition awarded by the SFA for services to football and the community.

The award is only achieved by a handful of clubs who meet the strict accreditation criteria.

They’ll hope to celebrate with a victory at Hawick and stay second.

Having won the first meeting 4-2, it would be a surprise if they fail in their quest, especially with two new signings in their squad – defender Mark Leslie from Tynecastle and Blair Duff from Glenrothes.

Third-placed Glenrothes – a point behind Inverkeithing but with two more games played – travel to Stirling University where they hope to complete a double to maintain their promotion hopes. They won 4-0 the last time the sides met