East League teams land plum ties in cup draw

Published on Tuesday 2 December 2008 09:13

EDINBURGH CITY have been given a tremendous incentive to defeat Brechin City in this weekend's re-arranged Homecoming Scottish Cup third round tie which was postponed because of a frozen pitch last Saturday.

Yesterday's fourth round draw at Hampden Park has paired Edinburgh City, if they can overcome Brechin, at home with SPL side St Mirren in a mouth-watering clash at Meadowbank Stadium.

City captain Ross Macnamara said: "Obviously this is a great chance to test ourselves against SPL opposition. However, there is a bit of work to do against Brechin before we start thinking too far ahead."

St Mirren, of course, have faced an East of Scotland League side in the Scottish Cup in the recent past when they were held to a no-scoring draw by Spartans at City Park before winning the replay at Love Street in season 2005-2006.

Spartans themselves will make the long journey back to face Elgin City this Saturday knowing that a win would see them take on Airdrie United at their Excelsior Stadium.

"It is a fairly neutral draw," explained Spartans joint manager, Mike Lawson. "It is still a big game because Airdrie have already won the Challenge Cup this season and they play in a really nice stadium."

Airdrie are managed by former Hearts star Kenny Black who is widely experienced in the East of Scotland League having been head coach with Edinburgh University before he moved to Airdrie.

"We will certainly not catch Kenny by surprise because he knows our set-up and will have lots of contacts who he will ask about Spartans," added Lawson.

"However, we have still to beat Elgin and that is a big ask although we will give it our best shot."

Vale of Leithen have also landed themselves a plum home tie against SPL side Motherwell if they can overcome Highland League leaders Inverurie Loco Works.

"It is a cracking draw," said Vale secretary Alex Currie. "There is a huge incentive for us to beat Inverurie and then play an SPL team at Victoria Park.

"We played Hearts at home in the Scottish Cup second round in January 1962 with Willie Bauld and Alan Gordon in the Hearts line-up. We had a crowd of nearly 5000 and it would be nice to play Motherwell who played in Europe this season.

"Vale regularly play Motherwell in pre-season games. In fact, the late Phil O'Donnell played here at the beginning of last season."

Elsewhere, if Dalbeattie Star beat Forres Mechanics they will face either Forfar Athletic or Stranraer away from home.