THE ROUND-UP
RAITH v STIRLING
IAN MURRAY hopes Raith Rovers have ‘set the standard’ ahead of welcoming Stirling to Starks Park.
Dylan Easton grabbed a debut hat-trick as Rovers turned on the style to beat Peterhead 6-0 during the week and Murray said: “To score six goals in our first competitive match was a great start but we have to recover very well in time for Saturday’s game.
“The boys have set the standard and I keep saying it but it’s about the players and the team.”
EDINBURGH CITY v ARBROATH
EDINBURGH return to their spiritual home at Meadowbank this afternoon with the visit of last season’s Championship high flyers Arbroath.
Citizens boss Alan Maybury explaining: “It is a big plus for the club. Getting promoted was a big thing but to go back to Meadowbank which was a historical venue and also our traditional home, brings lots of benefits. It has been a brilliant selling point for us and it is a fantastic facility.”
ANNAN v ELGIN
ANNAN boss Peter Murphy reckons squad retention has played an important factor in his side’s good start to the season as they gear up for Elgin today.
The Galabankies opened with a 3-2 win over Queen of the South and followed that up with a penalty shootout win against St Johnstone. And Murphy said: “The main reason for having a good start is that the majority of the players from last year were already here. We kept the nucleus of the squad, 14 players, so we won’t have too many new guys that need time to get used to one another.”
KELTY v ALBION ROVERS
BRIAN REID has called on his Albion Rovers team to have something to show for some good early performances ahead of their trip to Kelty Hearts.
Rovers were edged out 3-2 by Livingston last Saturday then went down 2-1 to Cove but Reid said: “We played pretty well against both teams and deserved to get something to show for it. It is a tough group with Kelty up next but there are positive signs.”
PETERHEAD v DUMBARTON
PETERHEAD manager Jim McInally has challenged the depleted squad that will face Dumbarton at Balmoor to prove that they are worthy of a starting jersey when League One starts in a fortnight.
The Blue Toon go into the game on the back of defeats to Aberdeen and Raith. And McInally said: “We had only 12 players in midweek, and 13 for this game. The players that play against Dumbarton should view it as an opportunity.”
STENNY v FRASERBURGH
STENHOUSEMUIR gaffer Stephen Swift hopes the return of key attacking players can fire them to victory over Fraserburgh this afternoon.
Swift, who starts a touchline ban today, said: “We’ve got real fire coming back in terms of Will Sewell and Euan O’Reilly returning to full fitness, so everything is looking pretty good for us to go and attack this week.”
FORFAR v HAMILTON BUCKIE v ALLOA CLYDE v MORTON
FORFAR face a nervous wait on the extent of the injury suffered by defender Darren Whyte as they get set to welcome Hamilton.
The Loons player was forced off after half an hour in their 4-1 defeat at Queen’s Park.
Meanwhile, Alloa travel to Highland League side Buckie, and Morton head to Clyde. Ton boss Dougie Imrie said: “Obviously it was disappointing last week to only be able to have one sub on the bench, but hopefully we will have a lot more back this week.”