Meikle puts Penicuik on derby alert

PENICUIK ATHLETIC host Dalkeith in a Midlothian derby tomorrow and manager Craig Meikle is looking forward to coming up against visiting boss Willie Pearson.

Pearson brings his newly-promoted side to Penicuik Park for a Premier League clash and Meikle admitted: “It’s always good to be involved in a 
local derby and to face Dalkeith means it’s going to be a tough match.

“Willie has added to his squad and they are playing really well. We’ll need to be at the top of our game to compete with them, but we have the players here who can do that.

“We’re gradually getting our full squad back together after a lot of injuries and holidays.

“We’ve had a tough start to the league because we had a string of players injured, but we hope to have a couple back and we’ll start to pick up now.

“You need a good squad of players who can find a consistent run of form and you don’t achieve that if you have to keep chopping and changing the line-up. In the past, we have been poor starters and are hoping to stop that happening this year. Our aim is a top-four finish and a promotion spot.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Newtongrange travel to Armadale. Star had a stutter in their first game at Dundee Violet but bounced back last Saturday to beat Jeanfield Swifts 5-0. Newtongrange were relegated last season and boss Alan Miller is looking to bounce straight back up.

Much-fancied Bathgate are at home to another strong side, Tayport, with Thistle boss Derek Strickland facing several injuries and suspensions to key men as he looks for his team to improve on last week’s draw at home to Dalkeith.