Huntly pose challenge for struggling Hill of Beath in Scottish Cup

Hill of Beath have a welcome break from the trials of the EOSL Premier Division as they take their place in the Scottish Cup first round.

However, Haws face a difficult trip to take on Highland League side Huntly at their Christie Park ground.

Huntly have won three, drawn three and lost three of their nine games and will be difficult opponents for John Mitchell’s side who have struggled this season. Mitchell should have the same squad that lost 4-1 at Crossgates two weeks ago.

Jeanfield Swifts have an excellent record against Lowland League sides in cup competitions and they get to test themselves against Highland League opposition as they travel to Harlaw Park to take on Inverurie Loco Works.

In the East of Scotland League Premier Division Dundonald Bluebell play the first of three difficult games that could define their season as they travel to Olivebank to take on Musselburgh Athletic.

Manager Kevin Fotheringham is without the long-term injured James Lennox, Craig Wedderburn, Ross Mutch and Kieran Dall, they are joined by Jack Smith, Scott Gilfillan and Ross Brown with Murray Carstairs suspended.

In First Division Conference A, Kirkcaldy & Dysart will be looking to take instant revenge on Arniston Rangers as they return to Newbyres Park, the scene of last week’s 3-1 defeat in the Qualifying Cup.

Kirkcaldy manager Craig Ness is able to welcome back John Smith, Ryan O’Connor, Jordan Lamont, Connor Kirton and Ryan McGowan to last week’s squad.

St Andrews United suffered a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Lowland League side Stirling University at home last weekend in the Qualifying Cup but manager Barry Cockburn still saw some positives from his young squad.

It is these positives he will be looking to build on for Saints to kick-start their season and climb away from the bottom of Conference A.

Cockburn takes his new squad to Paties Road to take on Edinburgh United and hopes to have the same squad that was on duty last weekend.

In Conference B Oakley United manager Stewart Kenny is finally getting his injured players back and will have a strong squad available for the visit of Stirling University EOS to Blairwood Park.

Glenrothes host Burntisland Shipyard in what is likely to be a keenly contested Fife derby at Warout Stadium.

Burntisland were very disappointing last weekend in losing 4-1 at home to Peebles Rovers and are expected to have the same squad as were on duty last weekend while Glens will be without Kyle Frazer, Charlie Denton and Blair Smart.

Newburgh are desperate to get things back on an even keel after what, in all honesty, has been a horrendous season at East Shore Park so far.

Burgh welcome a Lochore Welfare side that will be smarting from last weekend’s 2-0 at Kennoway Star Hearts at Treaton Park in the Qualifying Cup.

Newburgh will leave their selection late while Welfare boss James Adam is expected to have the same squad that lost at Kennoway.

In the Alex Jack Cup quarter-finals Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts welcome Crossgates Primrose to Dalgety Bay.

Swifts are on a great unbeaten run that has lifted them up to fourth place in the Premier Division while Crossgates are eighth but just two pints behind.

Thornton Hibs have begun to steady the ship after a poor start to the season and travel to Bo’ness Athletic.

Hibs boss Craig Gilbert is beginning to get his squad back and will take a strong group to Newtown Park.

Both Luncarty and Kennoway Star Hearts are both short of numbers again as they meet at Brownlands Park.

Scotland kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign under new coach Pedro Martinez Losa with a convincing 2-0 win over Hungary in Budapest last night.

Erin Cuthbert, pictured, and sub Martha Thomas guaranteed a winning start under the Spaniard, who held his first training session with the squad four days ago.

The Scots, who were without the retired Kim Little and the injured Caroline Weir, now go up against the Faroe Islands at Hampden Park on Tuesday in good heart.