MATCH PREVIEW: Linlithgow Rose v Forfar Athletic

The ‘Loons’ will head to pastures new on Saturday when they make the trip to Prestonfield Park to face one of the most famous names in Scottish Junior Football circles Linlithgow Rose in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The stakes are high for both sides with obviously a place in the last sixteen of the competition up for grabs with the financial rewards that may bring.

Firstly the good news is that the Lothian area has not been hit quite as hard as Tayside by the torrential and incessant rain of the past few days and Rose officials are highly optimistic that the game will go ahead, with the park certainly playable at present.

Gary Bollan and his management team as were all connected with the Athies disappointed when last weekend’s local derby fell foul of the conditions up at Glebe Park, but the playing squad put in a full training stint in the rain at Station Park around lunch time.

This was followed by a few of the players, particularly Thomas O’Brien, Derek Young, Omark Kader and Chris Templeman getting vital game time alongside some of the club’s younger players in a friendly against Forfar West End in midweek.

The only down side was the fact that Chris did pick up a slight knock, but hopefully he will be fit for the tie.

Michael Rose and Andrew Black have of course returned to their parent club’s Aberdeen and Dundee respectively at the end of their loan periods.

However in a great boost, Hibernian have confirmed that they are willing to extend Scott Martin’s stay till the end of the season and consequently he will be available for Saturday’s tie having been forced to sit out the Queens Park fixture in the previous round.

Long term injury absentees Michael Dunlop and Mark Baxter will still miss out, while Gavin Malin who has returned from his sojourn at Links Park is cup tied.

Linlithgow currently sit in fifth position in the East Region Super League, seven points adrift of leaders Bonnyrigg Rose.

In the cup they have defeated Gala Fairydean, Clachnacuddin and Wick Academy after a replay to reach this stage.

They have prolific front men in Tommy Coyne, Colin Strickland and Ruari McLennan who netted twice in the replay victory over Wick, another well known name in their ranks Graham Weir formerly of Hearts and Raith Rovers.

The Scottish Junior Cup winners of 2002, 2007 and 2010 and Super League Champions in 2013 are currently managed by David McGlynn who moved to Prestonfield from rivals Musselburgh Athletic.

A particular reminder to fans making the journey east on Saturday that the KICK-OFF is at 1.30p.m.

The match will be refereed by Premiership Official Stephen Finnie who was the man in the middle last Saturday at Celtic v Partick Thistle.

Admission charges are £10 for adults, £5 concessions.

A four figure crowd is expected, so please arrive in good time for what will no doubt be cracking, perhaps ‘old’ fashioned cup tie and hopefully a day to remember for the Station Park club.

For ‘Loons’ fans travelling by car, there are a few routes you can take to the town of Linlithgow and the ground itself.

An easy option is to head over the Forth Bridge, then from the M90, merge on to the M9. Leave the M9 at junction three, turning left onto the A803.
Continuing on the A803 you exit on to the High Street. From there you turn left on to Preston Road, then right into Braehead Road.