Football: Linlithgow will not be fooled by cup minnows Whitletts

LINLITHGOW Rose may have avoided some of the big guns left in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup but boss Dave Baikie won't be letting his players underestimate Whitletts Victoria when they take on the Ayrshire side tomorrow.

"We could certainly have got it a lot tougher in the last 16 but it is still an awkward tie for us," said Baikie, who has been alerted about the size of Victoria's Voluntary Park in comparison to Linlithgow's own pitch Prestonfield.

He added: "It's a tight pitch – 60 yards wide, which is about ten less than ours – while it is shorter as well – so that makes it a difficult prospect."

Whitletts play in the West Region equivalent of the East's Premier Division, having been promoted last season as the Ayrshire champions.

"They are undefeated since 12 September and the people I have been speaking to say they are a dogged, stuffy side," said Baikie. "They defend first and foremost and try to hit teams on the break. They also try to make the most of set pieces."

Linlithgow have lost just once in their last 11 games, bouncing back from a home defeat at the hands of Bathgate by beating Cumnock in the last round of the Junior Cup and then Camelon in the Super League last Saturday.

"We're not far away from where we want to be," admitted the manager. "The team is starting to take shape and the new players we brought in are beginning to blend.

"It is also good to have players like Tommy Coyne and Gordon Herd available again after injury. Gordon's goal against Camelon will have helped his confidence, though we are still a bit conscious of not pushing him too hard which is why I took him off after an hour or so last weekend."