Hearts’ chance to stroll to the top

Kelty Hearts sit in fourth place in the Geosonics Lowland League with two wins from two league games, as well as their impressive midweek win over Kilmarnock Colts.

This weekend sees Hearts host third-placed Civil Service Strollers at New Central Park. The visitors have played a game more and are unbeaten.

Hearts boss Barry Ferguson is expected to have a full squad available for the game which could see his side go top of the Lowland League with the top two, East Stirlingshire and Bonnyrigg Rose facing each other.

In Conference A of the Central Taxis East of Scotland League, St Andrews United manager Andy Brown will be looking for his side to get back to winning ways as they host Ormiston at Barnetts Park.

Saints won their first game of the season against Heriot Watt University but since then lost at home to Oakley and then away at Lothian Thistle.

Brown expects to have a full squad for the game but hasn’t ruled out changes to the starting XI.

It has been an up and down start for Oakley United, an impressive 5-0 win against St Andrews United was followed by a somewhat surprising 3-0 defeat at home to Leith Athletic leaving manager Stewart Kenny perplexed.

Kenny is without Gary Ironside through suspension and Craig Martin is injured, otherwise he expects to have a full squad available for this weekend’s trip to bottom club Craigroyston at St Mark’s Park and will be looking for his side to get back to winning ways but won’t be taking their hosts lightly and will give them the respect deserved.

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts’ first season in the East of Scotland League was a trial and learning experience, but the Ballast Park side have certainly hit the ground running this season with three wins from three, that leaves them sitting proudly at the top of Conference B.

Manager Lee Duffy is delighted with the start and hoping his side can extend the run at home to Dalkeith Thistle.

Crossgates Primrose are expected to give a debut to new signing Chris Templeman as they face a Fife derby against Glenrothes in the Alex Jack Cup.

It’s been a tough start for Alan Campbell’s men with defeats to Broxburn Athletic and Bo’ness United but Campbell will see the cup as a chance to get a win on the board and kickstart their season.

Glenrothes have had a great start in First Division Conference B.

Primrose should have the same squad on duty that lost to Bo’ness with the addition of Templeman while Glen’s Barry Cockburn expects to have a full squad to choose from.

Kinnoull take a break from their 100% start to the East of Scotland League as they travel to Gorebridge to face Arniston Rangers.

Kinnoull have started with wins over Craigroyston, Dunipace and Ormiston so Alan Cameron’s men travel south in a confident mood.

Cameron’s side have a couple of niggles that will be allowed time to recover but the manager expects to have a full squad available. Fixtures William Hill Scottish Cup – Lochee United v Burntisland Shipyard, Dundonald Bluebell v Auchinleck Talbot, Coldstream v Jeanfield Swifts, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Blackburn United

Geosonics Lowland League – Bonnyrigg Rose v East Stirlingshire, BSC Glasgow v Dalbeattie Star, East Kilbride v Caledonian Braves, Edinburgh University v Vale of Lethen, Gala Fairydean Rovers v Spartans, Gretna 2008 v Berwick Rangers, Kelty Hearts v Civil Service Strollers, Stirling University v Cumbernauld Colts.

Central Taxis East of Scotland League First Division Conference A – Craigroyston v Oakley United, Haddington v Leith, St Andrews United v Ormiston

Conference B – Inverkeithing HS v Dalkeith Th, Tweedmouth Rangers v Edinburgh United.

Alex Jack Cup – Arniston v Kinnoull, Crossgates Primrose v Glenrothes.