Clubs in Scottish Cup ties

Sep 24 2010 Dumfries Standard Friday

Civil Service Strollers v Wigtown and Bladnoch

WIGTOWN and Bladnoch travel to the capital to play Civil Service Strollers who play in the East of Scotland Premier Division.

The Strollers are lying in second bottom spot having won only once in five league outings this season so far.

They did, however, record a three goals to nil victory over Burntisland Shipyard in the first round of the SFA Regional Cup last Saturday while Wigtown were beating Newton Stewart by four goals in the same competition.

If the south of Scotland team have all their players at their disposal they must stand a good chance of a victory and reaching round two of the Scottish Cup but much will depend on the form that they produce on the day.

Hawick Royal Albert v Dalbeattie Star

Dalbeattie Star also travel away from home but their task against Hawick Royal Albert who are joint bottom of the East of Scotland First Division looks a much easier one than Wigtown’s. Hawick have played three league games and lost them all and on Saturday were beaten by six goals to nil by Vale of Leithen in the Challenge Cup while Star were running up a seven goals to two victory over Abbey Vale.

Star have a good blend within their ranks who know the way to goal and will start as favourites to progress although they will be taking nothing for granted. Having played in the East of Scotland League for several seasons Star will have a good idea of the class of opposition they will face and could well be the happier of the two Clubs come the end of this contest.

Newton Stewart vPreston Athletic

Newton Stewart also face East of Scotland opposition in the form of Premier Division side Preston Athletic but have a welcome home tie after having to travel up north last season to play Lossiemouth at this stage of the competition.

Preston who are lying mid-table at present have won two of their four matches but won easily by five goals to nil last Saturday against bottom of Division One side Peebles. Preston are usually formidable opposition when playing South teams and won by four goals to two the last time they were at Blairmount five seasons ago in the South Qualifying Cup.

On that occasion two late goals saw the East side go through after a dour tussle but Newton Stewart are arguably a better side than they were then and if they hit form then the outcome could be close.

Fraserburgh vSt Cuthbert Wanderers

St Cuthbert Wanderers are renowned travellers to play Scottish Highland League Clubs and this season have been drawn to play Fraserburgh so once again will take the long road north.

The Highland side are presently lying in mid-table having taken 12 points from eight matches having finished in fourth top spot last season. Their match last Saturday was against Formartine United where Fraserburgh played out a no scoring draw away from home having recorded the same scoreline away against league champions Buckie Thistle a couple of weeks ago.

Saints are playing well themselves this season so far and the Highland league side will not have it all their own way against a free scoring Kirkcudbright side. Saints will do well to bring back a good result from the north but it is well within their capabilities if they play to the top of their form.

Scottish Cup, first round, all kick-offs at 3pm: Fraserburgh v St Cuthbert Wanderers; Civil Service Strollers v Wigtown and Bladnoch; Hawick Royal Albert v Dalbeattie Star; Newton Stewart v Preston Athletic.