Fergie keen for Kelty to return to winning ways

Held to a draw by Spartans last week, Kelty Hearts boss Barry Ferguson will be desperate for his side to get back to winning ways at Stirling University.

It is the first meeting of the sides this season, but the Fifers did get the better of the students with a 3-0 win in an East of Scotland Qualifying Cup tie last season.

East of Scotland South Region Challenge Cup

Hill of Beath meet Musselburgh Athletic at Keirs Park in a third round tie for what is the first of two consecutive meetings, with the two facing each other in the league next week.

It promises to be a tight affair today with Haws holding a 100% record in the league, while their opponents have lost once and trail them by three points.

However, the Fifers are minus two key players in defender Rikki Dair and striker Lewis Elder, so Lewis Payne and Jake Mitchell are promoted from the club’s under-20 side.

Meanwhile, Jeanfield Swifts host University of Stirling in the fourth round.

They will be looking to go one better after drawing with the students in the league.

Skipper Chris Anton is suspended and keeper Mark Mitchell unavailable, but Jamie Reid returns.

Please note these ties have 1.30pm starts.

Football Nation Qualifying Cup

Dundonald Bluebell meet Bo’ness at Moorside Park for the second time in a fortnight.

The pair shared six goals in that league clash and the Bluebell were disappointed at that outcome given they twice led by two goals but didn’t see out the game. They will hope to go one better in this second round tie.

Neither side was at full strength then, but with Lewis McKenzie back, and provided Sean O’Neill passes a late fitness test, manager Jason Dair will have a full squad for the first time this season.

Burntisland Shipyard are also involved at the same stage of this competition and face a tough task at Dunbar United.

Having won half of their 10 league games, the hosts are fifth in Conference A whereas the Fifers have won just one of their nine games and are third from bottom in the Conference B.

League Cup

Crossgates Primrose meet Dunipace in a preliminary round tie at Humbug Park.

The Fifers must fancy their chances after four successive league wins against a side that have only three points after eight outings.

East of Scotland League

Due to action on three cup fronts, just three Courier Country clubs are in league action.

In conference A, Oakley United travel to Hawick for what is new manager Stewart Kenny’s second game in charge.

Last week he made a winning start away to Tweedmouth and fielded four trialists who impressed sufficiently to be awarded short-term contracts.

The quartet are included in a squad from which Jack Cowan is likely to be the only injured absentee.

After three straight league wins, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts will be hoping to make it four-ina-row away to an Edinburgh United side without a win in their last five outings.

St Andrews have a chance of instant revenge after Blackburn United’s 3-1 win at Barnetts Park last week when they meet at the Dem-Master Community Centre.

Former Brechin City midfielder Charlie King – who recently left Tayport – will be assisting boss Andy Brown for the first time. Saints welcome back Drew Fleming from suspension, but Gary Graham, Michael Fleming and Dylan Honeyman all miss out.