Hearts set on the next round of cup

Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts’ last game was a 4-0 home victory over Berwick Rangers in the second round of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup.

The fruits of those labours sees them today at home to Gretna 2008 in round three.

And with a 10-0 away win in the league in the last meeting between the pair, it is hard to envisage anything other than Hearts progressing to the quarterfinals.

With high hopes of one Fife team going through, another definitely will with Crossgates Primrose hosting a very local derby with Hill of Beath.

The Haws will start favourites having won their league meeting at Humbug Park 4-1.

Dundonald’s tie at Dunbar United has been postponed as a mark of respect for Malcolm Jones, the Dunbar secretary, who died last weekend.

Kinnoull are trying to book a place in the third round away to Tranent when they host Penicuik.

They can expect a very tough tie against a side that put up such a brave performance against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup last week, succumbing to the only goal of the game.

Consequently, Kinnoull boss Alan Cameron is happy Gordon Chalmers returns as both Dale Smart and Gordon Norrie are unavailable, while David Gray is a major doubt after being injured last week.

As they head to Peebles for a rearranged Conference A fixture, St Andrews United will be hoping to maintain the momentum that has brought them four wins on the spin while scoring 20 goals in the process.

That run started with an 8-1 win over tomorrow’s hosts, so it would be a major surprise if Saints, who have a full squad, don’t extend that sequence.

Oakley will hope to get over the disappointment of losing out to Musselburgh in the Alex Jack Cup final away to Preston Athletic.

However it won’t be easy against the hosts, who sit fourth in Conference B.

Other than Bruce McAdam, the Fifers are at full strength.

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, who were disappointed to lose 3-2 last week at Leith Athletic despite leading twice, will hope for better as they welcome Dunipace in another inter-conference fixture.

Following last week’s 4-2 defeat at Lothian Thistle, Glenrothes will hope to bounce back at home to Ormiston, who recently lost 4-0 to the same side.

Callum Kinnes is Glens’ only absentee.

Meanwhile, Burntisland head to Coldstream.

Shippy slipped to a third successive defeat at home to Preston Athletic last week, though the performance was far better than the 4-1 loss suggests which was of some encouragement for the Fifers who add new signing Ben Anthony from Thornton Hibs.

The draw for the quarter finals of the South Challenge Cup was made this week: East Kilbride v Camelon, Caledonian Braves v Dunipace, BSC Glasgow v Kelty Hearts, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Tranent. Ties to be played Saturday March 7.