Rose set up Selkirk clash
Threave Rovers....... 1 Linlithgow Rose ..... 2
Linlithgow Rose booked their place in the Scottish Cup First Round with a narrow victory away to South of Scotland League club Threave Rovers.
All three goals in the tight contest came inside the first 11 minutes.
Former Hearts striker Graham Weir fired home the opener with the veteran’s fifth minute goal followed up just two minutes later when Blair Batchelor headed home.
Threave refused to wilt under the disappointing start and they got themselves back into the game on the 11 minute mark through Ben Irving.
After the early drama, the game settled down although it was the visiting Rose, who were cheered on by a sizeable away support, who were in almost total command.
A fine display by Threave keeper Jake Gemmell and some profligate Rose attacking kept the home side in the contest.
Rovers, who resigned from the Lowland League over the summer, almost had a chance to earn a replay in the latter stages but Rose keeper Richie Barnard was alert to a long ball over the top of his defence and won the race before Irving could prod the ball home and cleared the danger.
The final outcome should have been more comfortable but the victory sees Rose set up an away clash with Lowland League side Selkirk, managed by former Scotland striker Garry O’Connor, in the first round later this month as they look to emulate last season’s historic run to the fourth round.
It’s back to league action for Davie McGlynn’s men this weekend when they aim to stretch their Superleague winning streak to five games at home to bitter rivals Bo’ness United.