East Seniors decimated but Lothian have cup glory in mind

THE only East Seniors fixture which appears likely to beat the weather is the King Cup's first-round tie involving Lothian Thistle and Craigroyston which is scheduled to be played at Saughton Enclosure tomorrow, kick-off 1.30pm.

However, arrangements have been made for the game to be switched to St Mark's Park if Saughton fails a late pitch inspection although even that scenario is not guaranteed as Craigroyston's park is frozen in parts and an immediate overnight rise in temperature would be necessary to make it playable.

Lothian, in common with most teams, have not played since early last month when they beat Preston Athletic 4-1, a result which cemented their position in second place of the Central Taxis Premier Division.

"Everything was coming together with the whole squad fully fit and with no suspensions or unavailability worries," said Lothian's head coach, Fraser Ogilvie. "It was a real blow when the weather, along with Christmas and New Year, intervened.

"It has been very frustrating trying to train because we have had to scramble about looking for facilities. We have been in various halls and every week, at least once, we have been out in the freezing cold on Portobello beach. However, we can do all the running and exercises that we want but it's games that are important. That's where players get their match sharpness and I just hope that this long lay-off does not affect us."

The two clubs met earlier in the season when Lothian defeated First Division side Craigroyston 3-1 in an Alex Jack Cup tie.

"We were superb for about an hour of that game and I felt sorry for Craigroyston who had been doing really well in the First Division," added Ogilvie. "We lost a late goal which took the gloss off our performance. It was simply a lack of concentration in a game where we really looked up for the challenge.

"It can be difficult sometimes when a team plays a side from a lower division although I don't think the gap between the Premier and First Division is that big. Craigroyston are going for a promotion spot and they have a great set-up at St Mark's Park. When I was with Hibs we used to play U-19 games there but now it has improved and it is like a bowling green which allows teams to get the ball down and play football.

"Wherever the game gets played tomorrow, if it does, then I can guarantee that we are looking forward to it. Craigroyston are young and very fit so we are definitely not taking them lightly because we at Lothian Thistle want to win a trophy this season. We have three strikers – Wayne McIntosh, Craig Hume and Mark Lothian – who have scored 26 goals between them so far this season. Although they score goals they are also our first line of defence which means that they all have to work very hard.

"We also signed Jordan Hall who he is now getting up to full fitness and he has the potential to be one of the best players in the entire league. By signing him for Lothian we have made a statement because I don't think some teams are taking us seriously enough as title challengers. We are currently second in the Premier Division and if we beat the leaders, Spartans, then we would overtake them.

"My final message to our players before they take the field tomorrow against Craigroyston will be to remind them that the result will not be an automatic victory for Lothian Thistle. We will not have it easy and we will have to work hard."

Meanwhile, Craigroyston boss Jamie Burrell echoed the thoughts of all managers and coaches when he said: "This spell of bad weather has been very frustrating with no games, not even friendlies, to look forward to.

"We have done a mixture of activities including some boxing training thanks to one of our players, James Paterson, whose dad has put together some very intensive sessions. The boys really love this and it helps with their conditioning and strength. However, we have been able to do next to nothing in terms of tactical and technical aspects which means it will be difficult when we line-up against Lothian."

Craigroyston's last – and only – King Cup success was away back in season 1996-97 and Burrell would love to see his side challenging this season although promotion is his main aim.

"I have been a wee bit disappointed in our cup performances since I took over," said Burrell. "We have got to quarter finals and a semi-final but then there was disappointment. We would like to put a run together and get to the latter stages and we definitely have the players capable of doing that."

Craigroyston will be without long-term injury victim Graham Hare, while leading goalscorer Sean Martin is unavailable.