SOUTH & EAST of SCOTLAND

RESULTS – Saturday February 4, 2012

THE weather has hit the South and East of Scotland matches once more.

All but one of the East games have been cancelled, the exception being Gala Fairydean v Peebles Rovers.

It is on Gala's new 3G pitch, similar to the ones to be built at Stranraer, Dumfries and Annan but once more the Stewartry has been left to flounder in the mud and rain.

Gala ran out 3-1 winners in the match.

Three Stewartry matches looked as if they would go ahead after Threave put down a covering on the pitch while Wigtown v St Cuthberts and Newton v Creetown left it until early afternoon.

But the weather had other ideas and the two Wigtownshire games were called off just before the kickoff with teams already there. Torrential rain hit both towns and flooded the pitches on top of the frost.

Threave did get their game going but heavy rain but heavy rain flooded the pitch at Meadow and the referee called a halt.

South of Scotland

South League Cup 2^nd Round

Heston Rovers P-P Stranraer

Wigtown P-P St Cuthbert Wanderers

Haig Gordon Cup 1^st Round

Newton Stewart P-P Creetown

South of Scotland League

Dalbeattie Star P-P Nithsdale Wanderers

Mid Annandale P-P Crichton

Threave Rovers 1 Abbey Vale 0

(Abandoned after 30 min)

East of Scotland

South Challenge Cup 3^rd round

Lothian Thistle HV P-P Eyemouth United

King Cup 1^st round (ko 2pm)

Stirling Uni P-P Edinburgh City

Coldstream P-P Selkirk

Tynecastle P-P Whitehill Welfare

East houses Lily P-P Civil Services Strollers

Central Taxis Premier League

Edinburgh Uni P-P Leith Athletic

Vale of Leithen P-P Gretna 2008

Central Taxis Division One

Craigroyston P_-P Ormiston

Duns P-P Berwick Rangers

Gala Fairydean 3 Peebles Rovers 1

Hawick RA P-P Kelso United

Heriot-Watt Uni P-P Preston Athletic

QUEENS FORCE CUP REPLAY

ABERDEEN 1 QUEEN OF SOUTH 1

Aberdeen - Vernon 67; Queens McLaughlin 54

QUEENS might be struggling in Division One but they gave the Dons a run for their money and forced a draw in this 4^th round Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie.

A delighted Queens manager, Gus MacPherson praised his side for their gutsy performance and is now looking forward to the replay at Palmerston a week on Tuesday.

Queens fans are now hoping that they can bring off another shock victory at Palmerston and make it a repeat show of four years ago when Queens beat the Dons in a memorable match and went on to the final.

Queens went ahead in 54 minutes but the home side battled back and levelled. And near the end they almost ‘stole’ the match when Mitch Megginson shot raged over the bar in the last minute.

There was plenty of action in the opening spell and on 19 minutes, Ryan Jack went clear on the right and his pass was met by Rory Fallon whose volley went wide of the Queens post.

Josh Magennis came close shortly after his 20 yarder was stopped by Queens keeper Lee Robinson.

Near the interval Queens had a great chance when a cross from the right was pushed away by Jason Brown but only as far as Sam Parkin who just failed to connect at the back post.

Queens ripped open the home defence nine minutes into the second half when Sam Parkin set up Scott McLaughlin who calmly stroked the ball home to put the Doonhamers a goal up.

Rory McArdle hit the crossbar as Aberdeen tried to get back into the game. They did in 67 minutes when a long Kari Arnason throw-in caught out the Queens defence and Scott Vernon was able to prod the ball home from close-in.

In the closing 20 minutes the Dons pushed on and in the last minute substitute Megginson missed a great chance and Queens players, officials and fans left happy in the knowledge that they will get a second bite of the cherry.

SOUTH of SCOTLAND

South of Scotland League

Mid Annandale P-P Threave Rovers

Crichton P-P Abbey Vale

Creetown P-P Dalbeattie Star

Fleet Star P-PNewton Stewart

Heston Rovers P-P Wigtown

St Cuthbert Wanderers P-P Stranraer

East of Scotland

King Cup First Round

Stirling Univ P-P Edinburgh City

Spartans 3 Duns 0

Coldstream P-P Selkirk

Tynecastle P-P Whitehill Welfare

Eyemouth United 4 Hawick RA 1 (AET)

Lothian Thistle HV P-P Gretna 2008

Gala Fairydean 3 Preston Athletic 1

Easthouses Lily P-P Civil Service Str

Central Taxis Premier League

Leith Athletic P-P Vale of Leithen

Central Taxis Division One

Berwick Rangers P-P Craigroyston

Heriot-Watt Uni P-P Ormiston

Kelso United P-P Peebles Rovers

HOSKINS HITS ALL THREE

FULL back Dean Hoskins was the toast of Ainslie Park has he bagged a hat-trick for Spartans.

He lifted the man of the match award and powered Spartans into the second round of the King Cup which they are defending.

It didn’t surprise co-manager Mike Lawson who said: “He scored the first goal and then we got two penalties and he was handed the ball and scored with both.

“Dean’s hat-trick may be what will stick in the mind of those at the game and those hearing about it. But the highlight for me and co-manager Sam Lynch was the shut-out.

“Before the match we had won 17 of our 22 games but only achieved three clean sheets which just isn’t enough.”

He added: “We passed the ball well but we were up against a stuffy Duns side. But we’ve got to try and shut up shop at the back more often over the important four months to come.”

Hoskins volleyed a Danny O’Donnell cross into the net after 20 minutes. Then he was handed the ball in the 60^th minute when Spartans were awarded a penalty and he duly despatched the ball into the net.

And to complete his hat-trick he shot home another penalty 10 minutes from time.

Only two other matches in the East of Scotland – both King Cup ties - survived the wintry weather with Gala Fairydean knocking out Preston Athletic by a 3-1 margin and Eyemouth United hit three goals in extra time to beat Hawick Royal Albert 4-1.

SOUTH TOTAL HITS 70 CALL-OFFS

South of Scotland clubs felt the full force of winter when the complete programme was wiped out due to a combination of waterlogged pitches and below zero temperatures.

South secretary Dick Shaw said the total of postponed games this season had now reached 70 which is the worst in the history of the Southern Counties FA.

He warned that it was likely to mean that clubs would be forced to play up to three games a weeks once the clocks changed to allow night time football.

Mr Shaw said: “It’s been a complete wipe-out which is rather unusual because you normally get one or two games that go ahead.

“It’s certainly the worst I can remember at this time of the season. People have to realise that we are looking at playing three games a week to try and catch up with the backlog.”

He added: “It’s disappointing for the players and committee for they prepare all week and then the dreaded phone call comes on the Saturday morning.

Although the question of summer football is likely to come up once more, the South clubs have rejected plans for summer football or an earlier start over the past three seasons.

Over that time clubs have seen almost 300 games called off because of the weather.

Saturday 28th January

THREAVE & STAR HIT EIGHT

RESULTS- Saturday 21st January

SOUTH of SCOTLAND

Haig Gordon Cup 2^nd Round

Dalbeattie Star 8 Mid Annandale 2

Tweedie Cup 1^st round

Crichton P-P Stranraer

Newton Stewart P-P Heston Rovers

Abbey Vale 4 Fleet Star 2

South of Scotland League

Nithsdale Wand 1 St Cuthbert Wand 4

Threave Rovers 8 Creetown 0

East of Scotland

Central Taxis Premier League

Edinburgh Uni 2 Stirling Uni 3
Gretna 2 Tynecastle 2
Leith 0 Edinburgh City 2
Spartans 3 Selkirk 1
Vale of Leithen 2 Lothian Thistle 1
Whitehill Welfare 1 Civil Service Strollers 3

Central Taxis Division 1

Berwick Rangers 4 Peebles Rovers 3
Craigroyston 0 Coldstream 1
Duns 0 Gala Fairydean 0 (Aband at half time)
Easthouses Lily 2 Kelso United 2
Hawick RA 0 Preston Athletic 3
Ormiston 0 Heriot-Watt Uni 3

ROVERS CLOSE GAP TO A POINT

TWO of the three Wigtownshire teams were beaten on Saturday by the weather while the third, Wigtown, had a free day.

Heavy rain which has played havoc with this season’s matches causing more than 60 postponements and heading for a new unenviable record, hit the pitches at Dumfries where Stranraer were due to play Crichton and at Blairmount Park where Newton Stewart were going to entertain Heston Rovers – both in the opening round of the Tweedie Cup.

Stranraer have a big task in front of them this Saturday as the teams line up for a day of South League action where Dalbeattie Star still head the table followed a point behind by champions Threave Rovers.

The Blues head for Kirkcudbright to take on third-placed St Cuthbert Wanderers who have the advantage of getting a game under their belt on Saturday, although Stranraer put up a good show the previous week when they went down 2-0 to Dalbeattie.

Stranraer are currently lying in eighth place in the table with 15 points from ten games but a win here would move them into the top half of the table and dent Saints’ hopes of the title.

Wigtown are back in action and should be at Maryfield in Dumfries to play Heston Rovers. However, the pitch at Dumfries has been in trouble and has been waterlogged with the exception of last Saturday, since October.

Wigtown manager Micky Dougan was delighted with his side’s victory two weeks ago and he’s hoping to get back on a good run. “We need to show consistency and get points on the board so that we move up the table.”

Wigtown are sitting fourth from the bottom with only eight points from 11 games but they are six points adrift from Abbey Vale.

Newton Stewart are having an up and down season but will be hoping to pick up three points when they play struggling Fleet Star at Garries Park. Newton are lying fifth at the moment but have only 16 points and a defeat could see them drop down the table.

Leaders Dalbeattie travel to Castle Carie Park to play Creetown and will be favourites to pick up the points. In the other matches Mid Annandale host champions Threave Rovers while Crichton are at home to Abbey Vale

On Saturday THREAVE ROVERS closed the gap at the top of the South League to a point as they crushed basement side Creetown 8-0. Sam Warren put them on the victory trail with a shot after 17 minutes a

nd Scott Wilby added a second from the penalty spot three minutes later.

Andrew Donnelly got a third after 34 minutes and four minutes into the second half Jamie Struthers hit number four. In the last 20 minutes Rovers hit four more with brace from Danny Dunglinson and one apiece from Sean Milligan and a second Wilby penalty.

ST CUTHBERT WANDERERS kept their title chances open and maintain third place with a 4-1 away win to Nithsdale Wanderers. Roman Soltys gave Wanderers an early lead with 10^th minute goal but Saints came back and Ben Irving levelled 10 minutes later. Saints dominated the second spell with Paul McClymont leading the revival with a 55th minute goal and Dean Thomson (pen) and Roddy Cooksley making sure of victory.

Dalbeattie Star moved into the semi-final of the Haig Gordon Cup with an 8-2 win over Mid Annandale. Scott Milligan was the hero with four goals to bring his tally to 28 so far this season.

Gary Kerr put star into the lead after 10 minutes but Nathan Muir levelled for Mids with a 10 yarder. Then Star moved up a gear with Milligan hitting his first and Grant Parker getting a brace before the turn.

It was easy in the second half with Milligan getting two more and Gary Kerr and sub Alex Maxwell getting the others. Darren Notman pulled one back for Mids five minutes from time.

In the Tweedie Cup first round Abbey Vale came back from losing an early goal for a 4-2 win over Fleet Star. Star who led at the interval with a Kevin Jamieson goal after 35 minutes. But Clark Chambers hit a second half hat-trick with Mark Milligan getting the other and Dale McCutcheon getting Star’s other goal.

Gretna 2008 came back with a late equaliser to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with Tynecastle but drop to fourth spot and Stirling Uni, 3-2 winners over Edinburgh Uni, move up to third place.

In East Division One Preston Athletic are six points clear after a 3-0 win over bottom side Hawick RA.

In the East of Scotland Premier League leaders Spartans maintained their 10 point lead with a 3-1 win over Selkirk while second top Civil Service Strollers beat Whitehill Welfare by a similar margin.

SPARTANS HEAD FOR TITLE

SOUTH & EAST FIXTURES

Saturday 21st January

SOUTH of SCOTLAND (ko 2pm unless stated)

Haig Gordon Cup 2^nd Round

Dalbeattie Star v Mid Annandale

Tweedie Cup 1^st round

Crichton P-P Stranraer

Newton Stewart P-P Heston Rovers

Abbey vale v Fleet Star

South of Scotland League

Nithsdale Wanderers v St Cuthbert Wanderers

Threave Rovers v Creetown (ko3pm)

East of Scotland

Central Taxis Premier Division

Edinburgh Uni v Stirling Uni

Gretna 2008 v Tynecastle

Leith Athletic v Edinburgh City

Spartans v Selkirk

Vale of Leithen v Lothian Thistle HV

Whitehill Welfare v Civil Service Strollers

Central Taxis First Division

Berwick Rangers v Peebles Rovers

Craigroyston v Coldstream

Duns v Gala Fairydean

Easthouses Lily v Kelso United

Hawick RA v Preston Athletic

Ormiston v Heriot-Watt Uni

CUP EXIT FOR HOLDERS SPARTANS

CUP holders Spartans have been thrown out of their second major cup competition this season.

East and South of Scotland officials have been expelled from the prestigious SFA South Region Challenge Cup.

Spartans, one of the top non-league sides in the country, reached the quarter finals but have been penalised for playing Keith McLeod, who was not properly registered.

It’s a similar punishment that the Ainslie Park club received from the SFA for breaching the Scottish Cup rules. They were thrown out last month for playing McLeod.

The challenge cup is the old Scottish Qualifying Cup and involves South and East sides.

A Spartans’ spokesman said; “The South Challenge Cup competition committee have decided to expel us from the Cup as Keith was not properly registered.

“The Cup competition rules and the sanction available differ significantly from the Scottish Cup and we are very disappointed at this outcome. We will decide over the weekend whether we will appeal.”

Co manager Mike Lawson said: “Last season we won all the domestic silverware but that won’t happen this time round. Gretna knocked us out of the East of Scotland Cup a few months back and we have now been removed from the biggest cup we can win.”

The Quarter final draw SFA South Region Challenge Cup is:
Vale of Leithen v Threave Rovers
Lothian Thistle or Eyemouth United v Glasgow Uni
St Cuthbert Wanderers v Stirling Uni
Heston Rovers v Duns
Semi-finals
Vale of Leithen or Threave Rovers v Heston or Duns
Lothian/Eyemouth or Glasgow Uni v St Cuthberts or Stirling Uni

SOUTH & EAST of SCOTLAND

RESULTS: Saturday January 14

POTTS CUP 1st Round

Heston Rovers 2 Threave Rovers 5

Creetown P-P Nithsdale Wanderers

Stranraer 0 Dalbeattie Star 2

2nd Round

St Cuthbert Wanderers 4 Mid Annandale 0

South of Scotland League

Fleet Star 2 Abbey Vale 2

Wigtown 1 Crichton 0

East of Scotland

Central Taxis Premier Division

Civil Service Strollers 1 Edinburgh Uni 1

Edinburgh City 1 Gretna 2008 2

Lothian Thistle HV 1 Selkirk 1

Spartans 4 Whitehill Welfare 1

Stirling Uni 8 Leith Athletic 0

Tynecastle 3 Vale of Leithen 3

Central Taxis First Division

Coldstream P-P Ormiston

Duns 5 Craigroyston 0

Hawick RA v Heriot-Watt Uni

Kelso United P-P Berwick Rangers

Peebles Rovers 1 Eyemouth United 2

Hawick RA 0 Heriot-Watt Uni 3

Preston Athletic 6 Easthouses Lily 2

HIGH FIVE FOR ROVERS

HESTON ROVERS got their first home game at Maryfield for three months after constant rain but they probably wish they hadn’t. THREAVE ROVERS hit five goals against them as they kicked off their bid to retain the Potts Cup.

Danny Dunglinson gave Rovers a dream start with a seventh minute goal but Steven Walker levelled seven minutes later. Then Paul Cook got a second for the visitors but once again the home side hit back with Craig Adamson levelling from a 35^th minute penalty.

But two more goals before the interval from Andrew Donnelly and Scott Wilby (pen) put Threave on the victory trail. Wilby got another penalty in 75 minutes.

In the same cup Dalbeattie Star beat Stranraer 2-0 with Scott Milligan shooting home the first after 27 minutes and seven minutes later Alex Maxwell headed home a Hugh Cameron cross from close-in.

In the second round St Cuthbert Wanderers moved into the semi-final with a comfortable 4-0 win over Mid Annandale. Roddy Cooksley shot home the opener from 12 yards after 25 minutes but it was the hour mark before Liam Muir added a second. Then four minutes later Justin Nicol chipped the ball over the advancing Mids keeper and in 74 minutes Paul McClymont slipped the ball into the net for number four.

In the South League Fleet Star and Abbey Vale shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Star getting the equaliser through Terry McKie but his joy was short lived for he was given a second yellow four minutes later and an early shower. Earlier Vale went in at the interval leading by a Fraser Thomson goal and Clark Chambers got a second in 56 minutes before John Frame hit Star’s first from eight yards, two minutes later.

In the other league match Ian Millar’s 60^th minute penalty gave Wigtown a 1-0 win over Crichton

SPARTANS HEAD FOR TITLE

In the East of Scotland Spartans extended their Premier League lead to 10 points with a 3-1 win over old rivals Whitehill Welfare but Gretna 2008 moved up to third spot with a 2-1 win over Edinburgh City.

GRETNA 2008 boss Stuart Rome praised his side for their 2-1 East Premier League win over Edinburgh City.

Rome, who had only 10 regular first team players, brought in his Academy youngsters and they did a job for him.

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Metcalfe hit the winner for Gretna and Rome said: “These youngsters were so professional and it was great to see Kyle get his first goal for us.

“It was good to go up there and get three points which lifted us up to third place in the table.”

He added: “I had only 10 senior players and I brought in the youngsters. That shows just where we are going for I have no problem bringing them in.

“It was a bit of struggle in the second half as City tried to get back into it but we managed to hold out.”

Gretna had to fight back after Sean Harrison hit the opener for City after eight minutes. But Phil Storey equalised in 25 minutes before Metcalfe got the winner nine minutes before the turn.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men just on the interval when Gretna’s Daniel Rayson and City’s Kenny Ross were red carded.

Spartans extended their Premier League lead to 10 points with a 3-1 win over old rivals Whitehill Welfare.

Sandwiched in second place are Civil Service Strollers who could only draw 1-1 with Edinburgh Uni.

In Division One, Preston Athletic stay three points ahead after a 6-2 win over Easthouses Lily.

SOUTH & EAST of SCOTLAND

RESULTS: Saturday January 14

POTTS CUP 1st Round

Heston Rovers 2 Threave Rovers 5

Creetown P-P Nithsdale Wanderers

Stranraer 0 Dalbeattie Star 2

2nd Round

St Cuthbert Wanderers 4 Mid Annandale 0

South of Scotland League

Fleet Star 2 Abbey Vale 2

Wigtown 1 Crichton 0

East of Scotland

Central Taxis Premier Division

Civil Service Strollers 1 Edinburgh Uni 1

Edinburgh City 1 Gretna 2008 2

Lothian Thistle HV 1 Selkirk 1

Spartans 3 Whitehill Welfare 1

Stirling Uni 8 Leith Athletic 0

Tynecastle 3 Vale of Leithen 3

Central Taxis First Division

Coldstream P-P Ormiston

Duns 5 Craigroyston 0

Hawick RA v Heriot-Watt Uni

Kelso United P-P Berwick Rangers

Peebles Rovers 1 Eyemouth United 2

Hawick RA 0 Heriot-Watt Uni 3

Preston Athletic 6 Easthouses Lily 2

TWO GAMES IN THE SOUTH

THE second half of the South of Scotland season started off as the first finished – hit by the constant rain storms which have plagued the 2011-12 season.

Already the tally has reached 60 games postponed and Saturday had its fair share – four matches called off including the Heston Rovers v Stranraer second round South League Cup tie which was scheduled for Maryfield at Dumfries.

But the pitch there has been badly hit by the heavy rain and Heston haven’t played a match there since the beginning of October.

Saturday’s match was ko’d as early as Friday morning which leaves the young Stranraer side without a match since November 26 when Heston beat them in the league.

This weekend it’s cup tie duty for the Stair Park side and with a home game, they must have a good chance of beating the weather getting some action.

But it’s sure to be a tough match for them for they will face Dalbeattie Star in the opening round of the Potts Cup.

Star got a match in on Saturday as well as a couple in December. Saturday’s game saw them beat Abbey Vale to 5-1 to move to the top of the South League with a four point advantage over Threave Rovers.

Stranraer manager Alan Hannah said: “If there’s more rain at the end of the week then the game will be doubtful because of the heavy rain we had last week.

“It’s difficult trying to keep everyone interested with the stop-start season but we’ve been training regularly. However, when you haven’t played for weeks it’s like having a break and we now need to get games in.

“We could be left with a big backlog of matches and the lads don’t like playing three times a week which it can end up with.”

He added: “This is the worst season I can remember for the weather but there’s nothing you can do about it.”

It was a hat-trick from Scott Milligan that eased Star to victory in one of only two games in the South to beat the weather and waterlogged pitches.

Garry Kerr opened the scoring for Star after eight minutes but Milligan cut the ball back to him and then Milligan got the first of his goals in 20 minutes and put his side three up with a neat shot seven minutes later.

It was dangerman Milligan who set up the fourth goal a minute into the second half. He sent Kerr clear and he had only to tap the ball home to make it 4-1.

Vale hit back in 50 minutes when ex-Star player Clark Chambers shot home but Milligan got his third with another shot on 55 minutes.

NITHSDALE Wanderers are into the second round of the Haig Gordon Cup with a 3-0 win over a plucky Fleet Star side.

Paul Weir got the opener after 28 minutes with a header from 10 yards but it was 70 minutes before they finally got the taste of victory. Roman Soltys had threatened several times before he finally tapped in a cross from the right from six yards and eight minutes later he fired home a shot from 10 yards.

The rest of the car was wiped out including the local ‘derby’ match between Newton Stewart and Creetown.

This weekend the other Potts Cup matches have Creetown at home to Nithsdale Wanderers and Heston Rovers at home to Threave Rovers.

The second round tie scheduled for Saturday is between St Cuthbert Wanderers and Mid Annandale at Kirkcudbright.

Two games in the South League are down for decision with Wigtown at home to Crichton and Fleet Star taking on Abbey Vale at Garries Park.

Wigtown are currently sitting third from the bottom of the table with Crichton below them with both sides notching up only one victory and two draws so far.

SOUTH & EAST of SCOTLAND

RESULTS: Saturday 7th January

South League Cup 2nd round

Heston Rovers P-P Stranraer

Wigtown P-P St Cuthbert Wanderers

Tweedie Cup 2nd Round

Mid Annandale P-P Threave Rovers

Haig Gordon Cup 1st Round

Newton Stewart P-P Creetown

Nithsdale Wanderers 3 Fleet Star 0

South of Scotland League

Dalbeattie Star 5 Abbey Vale 1

East of Scotland

City Cup Final

Berwick Rangers 2 Edinburgh City 0

King Cup 1st Round

Edinburgh Uni 4 Berwick Rangers Res 0

Central Taxis Premier Division

Civil Service Strollers 4 Stirling Uni 2

Gretna 2008 2 Leith Athletic 2

Selkirk P-P Tynecastle

Spartans 3 Vale of Leithen 1

Whitehill Welfare 2 Lothian Thistle HV 3

Central Taxis First Division

Coldstream 3 Heriot-Watt Uni 1

Easthouses Lily 3 Hawick RA 0

Eyemouth United v Kelso United (Abandoned after six min)

Ormiston P-P Duns

Peebles Rovers P-P Gala Fairydean

STAR MOVE FOUR POINTS CLEAR

DALBEATTIE Star stretched their lead at the top of the South league to four points after a 5-1 win over Abbey Vale.

It was a hat-trick from Scott Milligan that eased them to victory in one of only two games in the South to beat the weather and waterlogged pitches.

It was dangerman Milligan who set up the fourth goal a minute into the second half. He sent Kerr clear and he had only to tap the ball home to make it 4-1.

Vale hit back in 50 minutes when ex-Star player Clark Chambers shot home but Milligan got his third with another shot on 55 minutes.

NITHSDALE Wanderers are into the second round of the Haig Gordon Cup with a 3-0 win over a plucky Fleet Star side.

SPARTANS KEEP UP TITLE SURGE

In the East of Scotland Premier League Spartans maintained their eight points lead with a 3-1 win over Vale of Leithen who were playing only their fourth league game. Civil Service Strollers are sitting second after inflicting the first defeat on Stirling Uni by a 4-2 margin and there were also defeats for challengers Whitehill Welfare who went down 3-2 to Lothian Thistle.

LEITH Athletic manager Derek Riddel says relying on their youngsters is paying dividends.

After only three years in the East they are fighting it out in the Premier Division and held strong-going Gretna to a 2-2 draw.

Riddel said: “Most of the players are between 18 and 21 along with a couple of experienced guys. They’ve come through well and after promotion last season our aim is to stay in the top league.”

He added: “We’re doing okay and it was good to get a point against Gretna although I thought we may just have deserved even more. They are another young side. Like us they like to play good football and are young and entertaining.”

Gretna, who moved up to fourth, had to fight back after Lewis Martin put Athletic ahead after 12 minutes but Phil Storey levelled in 24 minutes and Adam McMath put them 2-1 up at the turn.

Then in 60 minutes Gavin Tainsh equalsed for Leith with the goal of the game – a 35 yarder into the top corner of the net.

Gretna gaffer Stuart Rome said: “It was a great game to watch and I think a draw was probably a fair reflection.”

Berwick Rangers won the City Cup final when they beat Edinburgh City 2-0 thanks to goals from Darren Gribben and Damon Gray.

bDalbeattie Star celebrate after Gary Kerr scored number four against Abbey Vale

Hat-trick hero Scott Milligan rounds the Vale keeper before setting up Gary Kerr for one of his goals.

SOUTH & EAST PREVIEW

SOUTH of Scotland sides recommence battle on Saturday after a break of six to eight weeks for many clubs – longer than the summer break in some cases.

STRANRAER will make the trip to Dumfries for the start of their second half of the season with revenge in their mind.

They are due to play Heston Rovers in the 2nd round of the South of Scotland League Cup and still in their memories will be the last time they played – November 26.

It was against Heston and the young Blues came back after being beaten 5-3 in the South of Scotland league. This time manager Alan Hannah is hoping to turn things round and pick up a cup win but he knows that it won’t be easy at Maryfield, Dumfries.

The other League cup tie is at Trammondford Park where St Cuthbert Wanderers will be the first footers. Saints, currently fighting it out for the league title, managed a game in December but Wigtown haven’t played since November 19 when they were beaten 3-0 by Dalbeattie Star in the Cree Lodge Cup.

Fixtures have been released by South secretary Dicks Shaw as he tries to fit in games after the worst start ever for the Southern Counties as far as postponed matches are concerned. The total is now in the mid fifties and Mr Shaw is expecting more during January and February which he says can be the worst period of the season.

Newton Stewart have a local ‘derby’ cup tie against Creetown at Blairmount Park in the 1^st round of the Haig Gordon Cup while Nithsdale Wanderers are at home to Fleet Star in the same competition.

The second round of the Tweedie Cup sees Threave Rovers travelling to Lockerbie to play Mid Annandale while Dalbeattie Star can open a four point lead at the top of the league if they can beat Abbey Vale in the only league match of the day at Islecroft Stadium.

The matches for Saturday January 7 are

South League Cup 2nd round

Heston Rovers v Stranraer

Wigtown v St Cuthbert Wanderers

Tweedie Cup 2^nd Round

Mid Annandale v Threave Rovers

Haig Gordon Cup 1^st Round

Newton Stewart v Creetown

Nithsdale Wanderers v Fleet Star

South of Scotland League

Dalbeattie Star v Abbey Vale

(All KO’s 2pm)

East of Scotland (ko 2pm Unless stated)

City Cup Final

Berwick Rangers v Edinburgh City (ko 1.30)

King Cup 1st Round

Edinburgh Uni v Berwick Rangers Res (ko 1.30)

Central Taxis Premier Division

Civil Service Strollers v Stirling Uni

Gretna 2008 v Leith Athletic

Selkirk v Tynecastle

Spartans v Vale of Leithen

Whitehill Welfare v Lothian Thistle HV

Central Taxis First Division

Coldstream v Heriot-Watt uni

Easthouses Lily v Hawick RA

Eyemouth United v Kelso United

Ormiston v Duns

Peebles Rovers v Gala Fairydean

Saturday January 14

POTTS CUP 1st Round

Heston Rovers v Threave Rovers

Creetown v Nithsdale Wanderers

Stranraer v Dalbeattie Star

2nd Round

St Cuthbert Wanderers v Mid Annandale

South of Scotland League

Fleet Star v Abbey Vale

Wigtown v Crichton

(All KO's 2pm)

Saturday January 21

Haig Gordon Cup 2nd Round

Dalbeattie Star v Mid Annandale

Tweedie Cup 1st Round

Crichton v Stranraer

Newton Stewart v Heston Rovers

Abbey Vale v Fleet Star

South of Scotland League

Nithsdale Wanderers v St Cuthbert Wand

Threave Rovers v Creetown (3pm)

(KO's 2pm unless stated)

SFA PLANNING BIG CHANGES

SWEEPING changes to football across Scotland have been put forward in a paper presented to SFA clubs in the country.

Clubs across Scotland will have a say in the proposals put forward in a paper circulated by the SFA.

All 42 senior clubs along with SFA member clubs, Highland League and South and East of Scotland sides have been asked to consider proposals on league reconstruction which will include a pyramid system.

A paper produced at the request of the Scottish Football Association's professional game board recommends a streamlining to one governing body instead of the present situation where the SFA, SPL and SFL currently oversee league and cup competitions.

It also suggests an extra promotion and relegation place between the SPL and the First Division, via a system of play-offs.

There is also a recommendation for a pyramid structure which would open up entry to the bottom tier of the game through a feeder system and the setting up of super Lowland and Highland leagues each made up of 10 teams.

This would involve teams from the South and East of Scotland in the Lowland League while consideration is also being given to involving Junior clubs.

The winners of each of Lowland and Highland Divisions would meet over two legs, with the victor then facing the bottom side in the senior set-up from SPL 3

There would also be access to the new Lowland and Highland leagues from feeder divisions, again via play-offs involving South and East of Scotland, Highland and Scottish Juniors.

Clubs have been asked to consider the paper and send feedback to the SFA for consideration in late January.

CLUBS SHARE IN £2 MILLION HANDOUT

THE three SFL clubs in the region and five South of Scotland sides are to share part of the £2 million solidarity and incentive payments made by the Scottish Football Association in time for Christmas.

Queen of the South will receive a £30,000 handout with Stranraer and Annan Athletic each receiving £20,000.

South of Scotland sides Dalbeattie Star, Threave Rovers, St Cuthbert Wanderers, Newton Stewart and Wigtown are each being paid £15,000.

But the SFA, the sports governing body in Scotland has warned that this will be the last such handout.

In future payments will be made on performance awards, youth development programmes, national club licensing, performance and initiative criteria performance.

In addition affiliated associations, amateur clubs who qualify and affiliated national associations will also receive payments.

But the SFA, the sports governing body in Scotland has warned that this will be the last such handout.

In future payments will be made on performance awards, youth development programmes, national club licensing, performance and initiative criteria performance.

In addition affiliated associations, amateur clubs who qualify and affiliated national associations will also receive payments.

Chief executive Stuart Regan said the payments were being made to mark the strong financial performance of the Scottish FA in 2011.

He added: “The board has approved the highest discretionary payment levels ever made by the association.”

But he warns: “In keeping with the Scottish FA strategic plan and objectives, the Board wishes to make it clear that this would be the last occasion on which it would be able to approve non-performance related payments to members.

“It is important that members are aware of this decision and make appropriate financial decisions in the light of this information.”

Extra payments will be to clubs maintaining their club licensing status, through performance awards schemes, club academies and youth schemes.

WEATHER HITS SOUTH & EAST of SCOTLAND

THE weather was again the big winner on Saturday when the complete South of Scotland League programme was wiped out.

A combination of frost, snow , ice and waterlogged pitches made it a dismal end to the first half of the season.

As well as the South programme being called off, only three East of Scotland matches survived the weather.

It’s now officially the worst start to the season in the history of the Southern Counties FA with 56 matches wiped out from July to the Christmas and New Year break.

Now South officials are busy looking at the fixture backlog which secretary Dick Shaw has to sort out.

He will shortly be issuing the fixtures for the second half of the season with the first matches scheduled for Saturday January 7.

Mr Shaw said: “The total of games called off so far this season has now reached the middle fifties and we could still have a lot of frost and snow to contend with.

“This is definitely the worst season so far with even more called off at this stage than last year when the season ended with a record number of games called off.”

Top of the table for the turn of the year are Dalbeattie Star sitting on 31 points from 11 games with Threave Rovers a point behind in second place and with a similar number of games played.

St Cuthbert Wanderers are lying third with a game in hand but seven points behind the leaders but still in with a big shout.

Top Wigtownshire so far has turned out to be Newton Stewart who have played 11 matches and picked up five wins and a draw for 16 points with Stranraer in a disappointing eighth spot but only a point behind Newton from 10 starts.

Wigtown have also had a disappointing start to the season and are currently lying in third bottom spot with only one victory and two draws for five points from 10 matches.

Holding up the league at present are Creetown who have still to record a victory but have two points from draws out of their 10 matches played.

South of Scotland League

Creetown P-P Abbey Vale

Fleet Star P-P Threave Rovers

Heston Rovers P-P Mid Annandale

Nithsdale Wanderers P-P Dalbeattie Star

St Cuthbert Wanderers P-P Stranraer

Wigtown P-P Crichton

EAST of SCOTLAND

East Premier Division
Edinburgh City P-P Selkirk
Leith Athletic P-P Vale of Leithen
Lothian Thistle HV P-P Edinburgh Uni
Spartans 2 Civil Service Strollers 1
Stirling Uni P-P Gretna 2008
Tynecastle 1 Whitehill Welfare 2
East First Division
Gala Fairydean P-P Kelso United
Duns P-P Coldstream
Hawick RA P-P Berwick Rangers.
Heriot-Watt Uni P-P Easthouses Lily
Peebles Rovers P-P Craigroyston
Preston Athletic 2 Eyemouth United 3
LATE GOAL GIVES SPARTANS POINTS
SPARTANS moved eight points clear in the East of Scotland Premier League after a last gasp goal gave them a 2-1 over second top Civil Service Strollers.
But Spartans co-manager Mike Lawson said: “We weren’t at the races in the first half but came away strongly after the interval. Strollers are second in table and we knew they’d be fired up and playing at the top of their game.
“That’s the way it turned out. They hit the bar, scored and at times ran us ragged in the first half and it took a full 35 minutes before we managed a move of more that half a dozen passes.”
He added: “We’re just delighted to get to the New Year at the top of the table. They were two great individual goals that gave us victory. It was a great win for us because they have been pressing us.”
Scott Gormley was brought down in the box after 17 minutes and the former Whitehill player fired home the penalty kick to put Strollers ahead.
Spartans controlled the opening spell of the second half and Omar Kadir got a great solo goal on the hour mark by beating four defenders before shooting past the Strollers keeper.
Keith McLeod went through on his own in the last minute, beat three defenders and shot home to give the champions the points.
Whitehill Welfare moved up to third spot in the table with a narrow 2-1 win over Tynecastle and a goal five minutes from time from Dayne Robertson.
In the only Division 1 match Eyemouth United provided the shock of the day by beating leaders Preston Athletic 3-2. Preston are still four points clear.
Only three East matches survived the weather and the whole South League programme was called off.

RESULTS: Saturday 17th December