Rose target rivals

Jan 29 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

AFTER three Super League defeats on the trot Linlithgow Rose hope to steer their title bid back on track when they host Glenrothes on Saturday.

They know they can’t afford any more slip-ups with their championship rivals now in better form and overtaking them at the top of the pile.

But boss Brian Fairley has bags of experience and has been over the course before and he should be able to navigate Rose to three points.

Bathgate Thistle also hope to be in action as they have not had a competitive fixture since November 22.

The Jags have been hit hard by the wintry weather over the past few months and they are sure to be a little rusty.

And with Bathgate in a precarious position at the wrong end of the table they can't afford the time to get back into top gear. They have to hit the ground running.

Whitburn are also at home with Tayport, who beat then earlier in the season in Fife, visiting Central Park.

The Burnie like Bathgate are another side struggling in the relegation mire and they are also in desperate need of points.

In the Premier League Fauldhouse have a home game against Newtongrange Star who have reached the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

They will be a real handful but Fauldhouse manager Andy Cunningham is experienced enough to plot their downfall.

He has some terrific players who almost guarantee goals like Andy Cooper, who regularly nets 20 odd a season despite playing at centre half.

South Division leaders Armadale are at West Calder and it looks like a hard game to call. Both sides could quite easily win this one and it may well be whoever draws first blood will go on to take the points.

Elsewhere, Pumpherston entertain Haddington while Blackburn have Edinburgh as their visitors.

Stoneyburn travel to Dunbar and require all three points in their own battle for promotion.

Harthill are at Dalkeith where they have had problems in the past and finally Broxburn are looking to beat Livingston and keep their title hopes on track.