Jags relish Junior Cup clash with Fifers
WITH the big freeze decimating sport fixtures throughout the country Bathgate Thistle manager Graeme Love is keen to see this weekend's scheduled Scottish Cup tie at home to Glenrothes go ahead.
Weather permitting, the Jags will entertain the Fife side in the fourth round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup at Creamery Park on Saturday and boss Love is happy with a home draw against his fellow Super League rivals.
He said: "It's great to be drawn at home but we know we will have to be at our best to win the tie because Glenrothes have always given us very hard matches in the past.
"The Scottish Junior Cup holds a special magic for all junior clubs and after winning the competition two years ago we are certainly keen to make a good attempt to win it again."
Love has already warned his players not to think they've struck it lucky just because they are the only Lothians team left in the competition to avoid West Region opposition in the fourth round after Bo'ness were drawn away to Blantyre Vics and Linlithgow entertain Cumnock.
"On the plus side, we're at home but the negative is that we've got Glenrothes and that means we'll have to be on our game as the one thing for certain is that Paul McKinlay will have them well organised," added Love.
The former Hibs player saw the Fifers beat Derek Strickland's Whitburn in the last round and added: "Whitburn made a couple of mistakes in the first-half and were punished for them.
"We'll have to be able to cope with the guys who play up front for them but, having lifted the Junior Cup ourselves in the recent past, I know my players will have the hunger to do so again."
Kick-off on Saturday is 1.45pm.
Off the field, the club is looking for a new secretary following the resignation of Syd McAlpine. Anyone interested in the post should contact treasurer Bobby Napier on 01506 635594 or 07906 927 083.
Lucky fan, Lesley Edgar, has also scooped a 1,100 jackpot from Thistle's weekly 'Keyjag' draw after the massive sum had accumulated over ten weeks.
The club is also hosting a sportsman's dinner in Bathgate's Royal British Legion club on 21 February with former top grade referee Kenny Clark – who took charge of three Scottish Cup finals – the main speaker. Two other speakers are lined up.
Tickets priced 25 can be obtained from Ian Strathearn on 01506 636219 or Carr MacDonald on 07775 536 242.
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Weather for Bathgate
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
