County clubs gear up for Emirates Scottish Cup ties

Oct 27 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

EMIRATES Scottish Cup second-round ties dominate the county card on Saturday with clubs from the Northern League, East Region and Ayrshire descending on Lanarkshire.

Thorniewood United go into the tie against a Newmachars side sitting second in the Northern League, on the back of a week of backroom changes, while Lesmahagow face third-placed Whitehills.

Despite their high-scoring run and third-place slot in the Central League Second Division, Forth Wanderers will start as underdogs at home to a Camelon side which is fifth in the East Region Super League.

Blantyre Vics will hope the return of striker Chris McGarry will help them bounce back from their 4-0 defeat at Maryhill when Jeanfield Swifts – who are sixth in the East Central Division – visit Castle Park.

Vics will hope the return to form of Mark Batchelor, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, will give them a further boost.

Bellshill Athletic report no injury concerns as they await the arrival of East Regional Central Division tail-enders Thornton Hibs at Fullarton Park.

Larkhall Thistle, with two cup wins under their belts in recent weeks, are in confident mood as they prepare to take on a Muirkirk side which was knocked out of the West of Scotland Cup by Carluke Rovers.

Manager Duncan Sinclair said: “We’re unbeaten at home this season so we aim to continue that run.

“Hopefully everyone will be fit and raring to go, with Jamie Dunbar back from his weekend away.”

Despite their lack of firepower in recent league games, Lanark United go into their cup tie in fairly confident mood, against a Dunipace side languishing third-bottom of the Central First Division, with only one win from six starts.

Central Second Division pace-setters Carluke Rovers take on First Division basement battlers Vale of Clyde, who have clocked up only four points from seven league games.

Manager Colin Slater said: “I didn’t want to risk Craig Stark, who is recovering from an ankle knock, but I’m hoping he will make it for this Saturday.”

Davie Gray and John Savage are still sidelined.

Newmains United face a major hurdle as Super First Division leaders Glenafton visit Victoria Park.

Shotts Bon Accord are one of three local clubs to take to the road as they prepare to tackle Aberdeen side Maud, who are 10th in the Northern Super League.

The clubs have met once before in the Scottish Cup, back in 2008 when Shotts won 3-1 at home in a second-round tie.

Royal Albert are away to Dunipace with manager Iain McCluskie commenting: “We go into the tie with confidence. We played well last week despite losing 4-1 to Super Premier League side Largs, but we’re just not getting a break.”

Stonehouse Violet are Ayrshire-bound to tackle Lugar Boswell Thistle.