Category: Match Previews

Hearts B are managed by Angus Beith. His coaching staff consist of Assistant Manager Ross Balantyne and coaches Paul Graham, Jack Ferguson & Gary Kirk.

Players to watch for Hearts B include, highly rated goalkeeper Lyndon Tas, ex Celtic youngster Aidan Haddow and right winger Mackenzie Ross.

Currently, Hearts B lie in fifteenth position in the 2025/26 Lowland League. Winning one, drawing one and losing three in their five games so far this season.

In season 2024/25, Hearts B finished in eleven place, winning eleven, drawing seven and losing sixteen of their thirty-four games played.

In the club’s last fixture, Hearts B lost at home, 2-0 to Gala Fairydean last Tuesday evening.

In the last game between the sides, Hearts B defeated Broxburn Athletic at Albyn Park back in April 3-0. The game changed just before half time, when Errol Douglas saw a straight red for throwing an arm at Hearts youngster Gregor Crookston, with the teams going in at half time at 0-0. Mackenzie Ross opened the scoring on fifty-nine minutes with a defected effort for Hearts B. They doubled their league on eight one minutes, after a good run and finish from Dom Plank. The wee Jambo’s added a third on eight six minutes from highly rated Gus Stevenson who buries a low drive past Bob Watt.

 

RECENT FORM BETWEEN THE SIDES

(22/11/24) Hearts B 1 Broxburn Athletic (Ross)

(19/4/25) Broxburn Athletic 0 Hearts B 3 (Stevenson, Plank & Ross)

Hearts B Starting Eleven vs Gala Fairydean (19/9/25)

Tas (GK), Crookston ©, James, Smutek, Smith, Ross, Dow, Plank, Banks, A Wilson & Robb

Hearts B: Last 4 Fixtures

(2/8/25) University of Stirling (H) 1-2 (Loss)

(8/8/25) Cumbernauld Colts (H) 1-2 (Loss)

(12/8/25) East Fife (A) 4-1 (Loss)

(19/8/25) Gala Fairydean (H) 0-2 (Loss)

 

Albion Rovers are managed by ex-Hearts gaffer Sandy Clarke. He is assisted by George Paterson, who was once at Queen of the South and East Stirlingshire.

Players to watch for Albion Rovers include summer signings, forward Sonny Aluko from Civil Service Strollers and centre back Devan McColl from East Stirlingshire, as well as on loan Rangers keeper Alfie Halliwell & ex versatile Airdrie youngster Nathan Brown.

In season 2024/25, after a bad start, Albion Rovers finished three points above Broxburn in sixth place. They won fifteen, drew nine and lost ten of their thirty-four games played.

In the club’s last fixture, Albion Rovers drew 0-0 at Cliftonhill with West of Scotland first Division side Thorniewood United in the South Challenge Cup First Round, eventually being eliminated, losing 4-3 on penalties.

In the last game between the sides, Albion Rovers defeated Broxburn Athletic 5-0 at Albyn Park on Tuesday the 18^th of February, in Lowland League action. Rovers took the lead on four minutes. Kai Kilpatrick found Paul Kennedy whose low powerful effort flies into the right corner, leaving Pettigrew no chance. On fifteen minutes, Bright Prince uses his strength to win possession from Broxburn defender Jack Duncan before scoring into the left corner. Dom McMahon latched on to a long ball before getting in between the two Broxburn centre backs and his shot is through the legs of Broxburn keeper Jordan Pettigrew, for 3-0 on 17 minutes. Bright Prince got his second on twenty-six minutes with a deflected shot finding the bottom corner. Rovers got their fifth on 40 Minutes. Paul Kennedy finds Dom McMahon whose effort finds the top right corner. The game was played at a low tempo in the second half with both sides making various changes.

 

 

RECENT FORM BETWEEN THE SIDES

(19/8/2024) Albion Rovers 0 Broxburn Athletic 3 (Douglas x 2 & Turner)

(18/2/25) Broxburn Athletic 0 Albion Rovers 5 (Prince x2, McMahon x2 & Kennedy)

 

Albion Rovers: Last 4 Fixtures

(29/7/25) East Stirlingshire (A) 1-2 (W)

(2/8/25) Tranent (A) 4-0 (Loss)

(9/8/25) Gala Fairydean (H) 2-1 (Win)

(16/8/25) Thorniewood United (H) 0-0 (Lost on Pens)

 

Albion Rovers Starting Eleven vs Thorniewood United

Halliwell (GK), Campbell, Neeson, Reid ©, Bowie, Hunter, Duncan, Lumsden, Marchant, Duruh & Garth.

Cowdenbeath are managed by ex-Stirling Albion defender Paul McLean. His coaching staff consist of assistant manager Graeme Nisbet and coach Gary Fusco.

Players to watch for Cowdenbeath include ex Spartans winger Max Williamson, ex Broxburn striker Darren Downie and ex Linlithgow Rose midfielder Stuart McDowell.

In season 2024/25, Cowdenbeath finished in tenth position in the Lowland League. Winning ten, drawing twelve and losing twelve of their thirty-four fixtures.

In the club’s last fixture, Cowdenbeath drew 1-1 away with Clydebank at Holm Park last Saturday, with Stuart McDowell scoring for the Blue Brazil.

In the last game between the sides, Broxburn defeated Cowdenbeath at Central Park 3-1 on Saturday the 8^th of March. Errol Douglas gave the Badgers the lead with a header from a Scott McRory-Irving cross on eight minutes. Two minutes later, Broxburn keeper Jordan Pettigrew fouled Jake Sutherland in the box and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Sutherland converts the penalty into the right corner to make it 1-1. Errol Douglas put the visitors ahead on thirty-eight minutes. Big E latched on to a Bryan Mwangi through ball and slotted low into the net for his thirtieth goal of the season. On 90 minutes, Scott McRory Irving played in Alassan Jones whose low finish finds the back of the net for Broxburn’s third of the Afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cowdenbeath’s Starting Eleven vs Clydebank (9/8/25)

Hayward (GK), Adamson, Newman, Petrie, Denham, Wedderburn, Williamson, Allan, Tomany, McDowell and Watt.

 

Cowdenbeath: Last 4 Fixtures

 

(26/7/25) Berwick Rangers (A) 2-1 (Loss)

(29/7/25) Bo’ness United (H) 1-0 (Win)

(2/8/25) Bonnyrigg Rose (H) 2-1 (Win)

(9/8/25) Clydebank (A) 1-1 (Draw)

We kick off our Lowland league season with an away trip to Celtic B at the Excelsior Stadium.

 Celtic B are managed by ex-Celtic defender Steven McManus. He is assisted by ex-Aberdeen player Jonny Hayes.

Players to watch for Celtic B include new signing from Greenock Morton Issac English, centre midfielder Kyle Ure and midfielder Rhys Dargie.

In season 2024/25, Celtic B finished in second position. Winning twenty, drawing ten and losing four of their thirty-four fixtures played.

In the club’s last fixture, Celtic B ended season 2024/25 in winning fashion with a 1-0 win over Albion Rovers. Rhys Dargie scored the only goal of the game.

The last game between the sides ended in a 1-1 draw, on Saturday the fifth of April. Scott McRory Irving gave Broxburn the lead on sixty six minutes, with Emmanuel Obidwe equalizing for the wee Hoops on eighty eight minutes, in a typical end of season game.

Celtic B starting eleven vs Albion Rovers (Last game of last season)

Shaw (GK), Borland, Robertson, Frame, Dargie, Ure, McArdle, Bonnar, Kyle, Thomson, Cummings.  

Celtic B: Last 4 Fixtures

(29/3/25) Caledonian Braves (H) 1-1 (Draw)

(5/4/25) Broxburn Athletic (A) 1-1 (Draw)

(12/4/25) Cowdenbeath (A) 4-6 (Win)

(19/4/25) Albion Rovers (A) 0-1 (Win)

We return to Albyn Park on Tuesday night for the visit of West of Scotland Premier League side Drumchapel United.

Drumchapel United are managed by Adam Hopes, who has been at the club long term.

Players to watch for include new signing from Beith Juniors Carlo Monti, ex Dunfermline and Stenhousemuir striker David Hopkin and ex Kelty Hearts defender Billy Owens who is also a recent signing.

In season 2024/25. Drumchapel United finished sixth position in the West of Scotland Premier Division. Winning fourteen, drawing four and losing twelve of their thirty fixtures.

In the club’s last fixture, Drumchapel United lost 4-1 to St Roch’s away 4-1 in a pre-season friendly last Saturday. The only scorer for Drumchapel was Dan Finnigan.

Drumpchapel United’s starting eleven vs Johnstone Burgh (Last game of season 2024/25) 

Crawford (GK), Hardie, Mills, McNiff, McCoist, Moore, Idris, Greene, Mackenzie, Finnigan & Brander

 

Drumchapel United: Last 4 Fixtures

(13/5/25) Johnstone Burgh (A) win

(5/7/25) Afroscots United 3-1 (H) (Win)

(12/7/25) Bo’ness United (N) 2-2 (WOP)

(13/7/25) St Roch’s (A) 4-1 (Loss)

 

Stirling Albion are managed by ex-Hearts & Hibs full back Alan Maybury. He is assisted by Tony McGinn who is also the clubs Head of Youth Development.

Players to watch for Albion include, ex Livingston and Hibernian full back Callum Crane, midfielder Robbie McNab & ex Hearts forward Dale Carrick.

In season 2024/25. Stirling Albion finished in sixth position in League two, winning fourteen, drawing seven and losing sixteen games.

In the club’s last fixture, Stirling Albion made a lightning start to pre-season with a 6-1 win away to our Lowland League rivals Bo’ness United on Saturday the 28^th of June. Scorers included Russel Martin, Dale Carrick, Mackenzie Carse, Robbie McNab, Ross Cunningham & an own goal by Bo’ness defender Jack Hodge.

The sides played out a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly last season last July. Dale Hilston gave Stirling the lead on twelve minutes with a cracking free kick. Broxburn levelled with the last kick of the ball. Local lad Jack Sayers was on hand to fire the ball high into the net from a corner.

Stirling Albion Starting Eleven vs Bo’ness United :  Trialist (Gk), McNab, Banner, Carse, Carrick, Knox, McLean, Weir, Wright, Featherstone & Crane

 

Bathgate Thistle: Last 4 Fixtures

 

(19/4/25) East Fife (A) 2-0 (Loss)

(26/4/25) Clyde (H) 1-4 (Loss)

(3/5/25) Forfar Athletic (A) 0-0 (Draw)

(29/7/25) Bo’ness United (A) 1-6 (Win)