Edinburgh City had a Junior team in mind even before draw with holders was made, reveals Jardine

Edinburgh CITY were handed a tough draw in this season’s William Hill Scottish 
Cup first round when they were paired with the Emirates 
Scottish Junior Cup winners, Shotts Bon Accord, away from home.

“It is not the draw we would have picked,” lamented City’s manager, Gary Jardine.

“Last season we played Irvine Meadow at home and genuinely, although we lost 1-0, there was nothing between the sides. We will certainly be doing our homework on them.

“We actually planned our pre-season fixtures around the possibility of drawing a Juniors team in the Scottish Cup.

“Tomorrow night (Wednesday) we play Ballingry Rovers from Fife away and on Saturday we face Pollok at Ainslie Park so these games will be good preparation for us.” Jardine will, however, be without two key players as Andy Howat damaged ankle ligaments at training while midfield dynamo Ian McFarland suffered a broken leg against St Anthony’s at the weekend and will be out until after Christmas.

Spartans were given a home draw and they will face Highland League side Wick Academy who will make the 500-mile round trip to Ainslie Park. Neil Irvine, Spartans’ assistant manager, said: “First and foremost we are delighted we have a home draw.

“We know that Wick Academy are a talented young side who have one of our former Edinburgh University players, Stuart Ross, in their line-up. We will prepare well and have them watched before we brief our players.”

Whitehill Welfare, under the new management of Mike Lawson and Mike Irving, were also handed a home game against another Highland League outfit, Inverurie Loco Works. “Our hope was to get a home tie,” stressed Irving. “We know that this will be a good challenge and should be a cracking match.

“We will watch them beforehand and everyone connected with the club is looking forward to the game.”

In some other first round ties, Civil Service Strollers await Newton Stewart from the South of Scotland League, Edinburgh University will host the winners of Keith against St Cuthbert Wanderers and Vale of Leithen travel to meet Threave Rovers in Castle Douglas.

Scottish Cup first round draw:

Threave Rovers v Vale of Leithen; Bonnyrigg Rose v Girvan; Huntly v Wigtown & Bladnoch; Shotts Bon Accord v Edinburgh City; Irvine Meadow v Gala Fairydean; Edinburgh University v Keith or St Cuthbert Wanderers; Formartine United v Brora Rangers; Civil Service Strollers v Newton Stewart; Spartans v Wick Academy; Glasgow University v Selkirk; Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth; Hawick Royal Albert v Golspie Sutherland; Fraserburgh v Coldstream; Whitehill Welfare v Inverurie Loco Works; Buckie Thistle v Rothes; Hermes v Deveronvale; Fort William or Preston Athletic v Nairn County; Turriff United v Burntisland Shipyard. Ties are due to be played on Saturday, August 25.