The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Four clubs make debut in cup
Four clubs from the Courier Country make their debuts in the Scottish Cup by virtue of being full members of the SFA while Lochee United return to the competition after winning the East Region Super League.
United play host to East of Scotland First Division outfit Burntisland Shipyard, who haven’t had the best of starts in the EOSL with just a point so far from their two games.
Shippy expect to have the same squad that drew 1-1 at home to Peebles Rovers.
Dundonald Bluebell face a really tough encounter at home to junior heavyweights Auchinleck Talbot at Moorside Park.
Talbot are the holders of the Scottish Junior Cup after beating Largs Thistle at Hamilton as well as reigning West Region Super League champions and, of course, put Ayr United out of last years’ Scottish Cup live on TV.
However, Bluebell boss Lee Dair insists his side have nothing to lose and are going in to the game looking to progress. Dair is without the defensive pairing of Colin Wilson and Craig Wedderburn but otherwise has a full squad to choose from.
Jeanfield Swifts make the long trip south to take on Coldstream at Home Place as they make their debut in the competition.
Its been a rollercoaster start to the season for Ross Gunnion’s men with the season opening 7-2 win over Camelon followed by defeats to Hill of Beath and Tranent. Gunnion will demand an improvement to the performance of last weekend but is helped by the return of six players who missed the trip to the East Lothian.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn welcome Blackburn United to Kiers Park as both teams make their Scottish Cup bow.
Kevin Fotheringham’s men have already managed every outcome in their first three games. The Haws drew the opener 2-2 with Sauchie, beat Jeanfield 4-3 and then lost 1-0 to Dunbar United last weekend but the Fife men have been struggling with a long injury list.
Fotheringham has added Regan Lumsden on loan from Edinburgh City this week and he is in line for his debut.