TOMORROW marks the end of the first quarter of the East Juniors League campaign, and this seems an opportune time to hand out some report cards for the Lothian sides.
In their first season in the Super League, Graeme Armstrong's Newtongrange Star have overcome a shaky start to remain unbeaten at home at New Victoria Park and just three points behind Super League leaders, Bo'ness, a welcome statistic. Next week, th
ey will have the chance to fortify that record in a mouthwatering tie against Pollok in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup, but tomorrow Star are bound for Creamery Park and a clash with topsy-turvy side Bathgate Thistle.
Graeme Love's outfit have failed to win a single league match at home so far this season, reserving their best form for trips on the road.
Striker Jim Lister has played a big part in that, his hat-trick against Ballingry last week was the driving force in a 6-0 drubbing of the Fifers, a tally which took the former Berwick Rangers player to 12 for the season.
Bathgate's home form is all the more baffling when one considers the talent in the squad – players like Allan Neill and Willie Wilson in defence with Brian McPhee and Graeme McLaren up front.
Surely a case of "could do better", at Creamery Park at any rate.
In reply, Newtongrange will look to Grant Meaney for goals, his brace last weekend saw off Camelon and, with former Hibs player Gareth Hutchison wearing the captain's armband, tomorrow's game will hinge on who takes best advantage of the good playing surface. Both sides like to play a passing game and on the Creamery Park surface there should be a lot of good football played.
Bo'ness are the only unbeaten side in the division, with a three-point buffer from Newtongrange.
Precious little to quibble with there then, but tomorrow Bo'ness head for Dundee and a tricky game at Lochee United. Lochee are fierce competitors on their home turf and have a deadly weapon in goalkeeper Ian Ross' kick-outs. He launches them almost the full length of the field and instantly turns defence into attack. They sit mid-table with only one win at home this season. New signing Darren Gribben, signed from Dumbarton, has been a terrific acquisition for Bo'ness and his role tomorrow may well determine where the points end up.
Linlithgow travel to face bottom club Kelty Hearts, who they faced just four years ago in the Scottish Junior Cup final at East End Park in Dunfermline. Unfortunately, both sides are a shadow of their former selves. Linlithgow, bossed by Dave Baikie, have been going through a transitional period since Jim Sinnet left the club and the success they enjoyed during his long spell there is now a distant memory.
Musselburgh Athletic are another club on league duty in Fife tomorrow. They play Hill of Beath, who overtook them last weekend by beating Bonnyrigg Rose. Musselburgh have two of the best strikers in Junior football in Mattu King and Chris King, but boss Davy McGlynn doesn't rely on just those two for goals. Scott Devlin, Ryan McCallum and Scott Gibson have all contributed to their good start.
Bonnyrigg, the holders of the Super League trophy are in danger of going from "champs to chumps" if they aren't careful. They possibly had their eyes on senior Scottish Cup duty and took their minds away from the big picture.
League titles aren't won in October but, they can be lost in October, if teams fail to respond to what's happening at the top of the table.
Three points from four league games played isn't title-winning form.
Boss Allan Miller is aware of the importance in stopping a gap appearing between the top and a chasing pack.
Finally, Whitburn are at home to Glenrothes. Both sides are on five points from five games played and that kind of form won't win titles. For too long now Whitburn's form has been erratic. Some games they are world beaters then relegation candidates the next. Not a side you would bet on at the bookies.
