West Lothian junior football half-term report

Dec 31 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WITH Mother Nature’s latest temper tantrum wiping out the junior football card in recent weeks now is a good time to take a half-term look at West Lothian’s clubs.

Super League

Linlithgow Rose currently sit in fourth spot after nine games and have 11 points on the board.

Rose have only lost two of their league matches but draws have severely cost them with five from their nine games looking like it has put the league beyond them. They trail leaders and fierce rivals Bo’ness by 15 points.

In fact Linlithgow are still searching for a first away win of the season as we head into the New Year.

But they are still in the mix for the Junior Scottish Cup, which they won in 2007, as they prepare for a fourth-round clash with Cumnock.

Further down the Super League pile are Bathgate Thistle who are in eighth spot having taken 10 points from their eight games played.

The Jags do look to be improving at a key stage of the season but like their county rivals their best hope of silverware will be in the cups.

Like Rose they are still in the hunt for the Scottish Cup and the 2008 winners face fellow Super League side Glenrothes next month.

One place behind the Jags in the Super League sit Whitburn.

The Burnie are rumoured to be in financial trouble which could be affecting performances on the field.

Whitburn’s inconsistent form has left them in ninth spot and hovering ominously above the relegation trapdoor and there are fears about the Central Park sides ability to escape the relegation dogfight.

Premier League

Newcomers Armadale have struggled to come to terms with the step up in competition on a weekly basis and they are second from bottom at the moment.

But the Dale, on 11 points, are just one win and three points behind sixth-placed Tayport.

So a couple of wins from Armadale could see them climb to safety and there is more than enough quality in the Volunteer Park dressing room to go on a winning run.

Fellow West Lothian side Fauldhouse are just two points better off than the Dale.

The Hoose have been over the Premier League course before and they have the experience and ability to see out the season in mid-table safety.

South Division

Second-placed Blackburn United are hot on the heels of leaders Tranent and are just four points behind.

But the county club boast the luxury of three games in hand and should they win these then they will have a substantial cushion at the top of the pile.

This is brilliant position to be in at this point of the season but as any manager will admit it is always better to have the points in the bag than have the games in hand.

Blackburn are in the title hunt on merit and largely thanks to the talented squad assembled by boss Mark Campbell.

In fourth spot are South Division shock-troops West Calder.

This is turning out to be a superb season for them but it could get even better if they find another gear in the second half of the season.

Fifth-placed Broxburn, who have played all their games on unfamiliar territory until their own ground is ready, have signalled their intention of taking the title with a series of good signings.

The latest new addition is Sean Martin from Super league side Hill of Beath.

Broxburn are nine points of leaders Tranent but they have also played far fewer matches and boast a staggering five games in hand.

So they too look like they will have a big say in the South Division title picture in 2010.

Further back still are Harthill who also have a handful of games in hand and one place behind them in mid-table are Pumpherston.

Finally completing the West Lothian junior picture are Stoneyburn and Livingston who make up two of the bottom three places in the South Division.