Up for the cup as Fifers plot route to Hampden

ATHLETIC and Kelty Hearts have discovered their first opponents as they prepare to begin the road to Hampden later this month.

Both clubs, as well as East of Scotland League, Premier Division, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, were entered into the hat for the third round draw of the Scottish Cup.

Conducted by former Scotland defender Christophe Berra, who won the competition with Heart of Midlothian in 2006, and was a runner-up in both 2019 and 2020, it has pitted both the Pars and the Haws against League Two opponents, and Kelty against Championship opposition.

Dunfermline, who have not won a Scottish Cup tie since a 4-1 win at Queen’s Park in the third round of the 2017/18 tournament, will take on Forfar Athletic at KDM Group East End Park.

James McPake’s side defeated the Loons 6-0 in pre-season, and have never lost to the Angus club in the Scottish Cup.

Their last competitive meeting came in April 2016, when the teams drew 2-2 after the Pars, who are unbeaten in the last five competitive fixtures between the clubs, had wrapped up the League One title.

Kelty, however, face a sterner test of their examinations after they were drawn to face Championship side Partick Thistle at Firhill.

John Potter’s side, who recorded their first away League One win of the season at Falkirk on Saturday, will take on a Jags outfit that are second in their division, one point off top spot.

It will be a first competitive meeting of the clubs but, in pre-season, they met in Potter’s first game in charge, with Thistle earning a 1-0 victory thanks to a James Lyon goal.

Hill of Beath, bossed by former Pars player and coach, Jason Dair, have made club history by reaching the third round of the tournament for the first time in their history.

A 1-0 win at Newtongrange

Star on Saturday, which followed preliminary and first round successes over Irvine Meadow XI and Inverurie Loco Works, has helped secure a home tie with Elgin City at Keirs Park.

The ties are due to be played over the weekend of November 26-27.