THIS weekend the Superleague takes a back seat for West Lothian clubs as the county’s two representatives in the top flight turn their attentions to the third round of the Fife and Lothians Cup.League leaders Linlithgow Rose have home advantage and will be hoping to make the most of it to halt a mini-slump which has seen them lose two league matches in a row.Rose welcome Premier League outfit St Andrew’s United to Prestonfield and will start as favourites despite recent form.Bathgate Thistle face a tougher test as they head to nearby New Victoria Park in an all-Superleague affair against Newtongrange Star.Just five places separate the sides in the table and the Jags have already chalked up a win over Star this season on league duty.There is also a second round clash in the Fife and Lothians Cup where South Division pace-setters Livingston United travel to Superleague side Hill of Beath.It would be a huge scalp for the visitors to take but with two divisions between them it could be a bridge too far.But Andy Johnstone has his shock-troops purring away in top-gear in their own league and on the day they could just upstage their hosts.Armadale Thistle are also on cup duty as they bid to book an East of Scotland Cup fourth round spot with a win over Arbroath SC. The Dale, currently sitting second-bottom in the Premier League, will face a long trip up into Angus for the clash with the North Division side.In the Premier League the match of the day is at Ore Park in Fife where league leaders Broxburn Athletic clash with Ballingry Rovers.Broxburn boss Stevie Pittman admitted in last week’s Courier his belief his side can’t afford to drop points if they want to secure a second successive promotion.Whitburn are also in Premier League action when they host Kinnoull in a match which could go a long way to determining who will beat the drop.Both sides are in the relegation mix with the Burnie just a point ahead, although they do have the luxury of two games in hand.In the South Division there are five matches with a county interest with the pick of the bunch set to take place at Parkview where title hopefuls Fauldhouse United entertain fifth-placed Tranent.Blackburn United, still eyeing a late championship challenge of their own, are away to Stoneyburn in an all-West Lothian affair while West Calder United host Edinburgh United.The remaining pair of county clubs are both on the road as Pumphertson will be at Dunbar United and Harthill Royal face a trip to the capital to square off against Spartans.All matches are due to kick-off at 2.30pm.Read
