Southern Counties football preview

Feb 5 2010 Dumfries Standard Friday

WITH 69 matches now having been postponed so far this season and players itching for action it is hoped that the winter weather gives up its hold on the region to allow competitive football to go ahead this weekend.

The main match is the League Cup Final which will involve St Cuthbert Wanderers who will play Stranraer after their win over Newton Stewart on Wednesday.

In the South of Scotland League, Threave Rovers have the opportunity to close the six-point gap at the top between themselves and Dalbeattie Star when they entertain Nithsdale Wanderers at Meadow Park.

Creetown travel to Hospital Park to play Crichton. The home side though will see this match as an opportunity to keep themselves up among the top six challengers but will have to be at their best to see off a plucky and never say die Creetown.

Wigtown and Bladnoch play Fleet Star at Garries Park and the bottom placed Gatehouse side will have their work cut out to produce any kind of positive result from this contest. Wigtown, with the recent acquisition of prolific striker Allen Murdoch from Stranraer FC and Robert Jamieson as a striking duo, arguably may now have the most potent strike force in South football.

Heston Rovers play hosts to Mid-Annandale at Glencaple for a match which will be the home side’s first since before Christmas.

Two points separate the two with Heston on 14 points from 12 matches and Mids on the 12-point mark from 15 outings, so a close game is expected.

Fifth placed Abbey Vale will play Newton Stewart.

Fixtures for Saturday, all kick-offs at 2pm unless otherwise stated:

South League Cup Final: Stranraer v St Cuthbert Wanderers, referee - Raymond Buchan.

South of Scotland League: Crichton v Creetown, referee - Alistair Aitken; Fleet Star v Wigtown & Bladnoch, referee - Colin Stitt; Heston Rovers v Mid Annandale , referee -Colin Saunders; Newton St. v Abbey Vale, referee - Derek Stocks

Threave Rovers v Nithsdale Wanderers - Kick-off 3pm - Referee - Rod Williamson