Paget woe as Welfare draw Edinburgh Uni in Scots Cup

The tie of the round in this season’s Scottish Cup as it affects East Seniors teams is undoubtedly Edinburgh University against Whitehill Welfare, who were paired together at Peffermill in the first round.

The teams have already met twice this season, once in the League Cup when the game finished 0-0, and a 1-0 league victory for Whitehill with a late goal from Kevin Moffat.

“It’s a horrible draw although a winnable game,” lamented the Whitehill manager, Rab Paget. “Of all the teams in the draw Edinburgh University are the one team I did not want because of two main reasons. Firstly, they are a very good side and secondly, their coach Dougie Samuel is my mate, although he won’t be for 90 minutes during this game.

“The University will improve between now and September 24 and our two previous meetings will mean nothing by then. I have not yet seen the attacking side of the University who will have their more established players back and I know that this will be a stern test.”

Samuel, the University head coach, responded by saying: “On the one hand we are really excited because this will be a great test for the coaches and students of Edinburgh University. On the other hand it would have been nice to play a team from either the Highland League or South of Scotland League.

“We know that after having played Whitehill twice already this season that it will be extremely difficult and we will be the underdogs. By then we will have had our fresher trials and maybe we will unearth an unknown player. We will definitely have improved by then with important players such as James Craigen and Jack Beacher back to give us more options going forward to ask questions of the Whitehill defence.”

Edinburgh City, meanwhile, have drawn Brora Rangers at Meadowbank Stadium allowing their co-manager John Green to say: “Bring on the Rangers! I have, for years, wanted say that! I know absolutely nothing about them apart from their position in the Highland League table. They are third bottom with one point from five games.

“I’m delighted that it is a home draw and we will, as always, do our homework and hope to watch them. I do know that all of our players will have to perform on the day.”

Civil Service Strollers face a long journey north where they will face Highland League side Fraserburgh, who are second in the league.

“The standard of the Highland League is very good and this will be an exciting challenge,” said Strollers manager, Gary Aitchison. “We will go in as the underdogs with nothing to lose and everybody connected with the club is looking forward to the game. I hope to have them watched before then and we will do our homework.”

Vale of Leithen have drawn Girvan from the West of Scotland Super League First Division. Girvan have drawn all three of their opening league fixtures and Vale manager Robbie Horn said: “We are at home and it is a winnable game. We have good players and I want them all fit and available. We have quality and I am confident we can get a result.”

Elsewhere, Preston Athletic travel to meet Wigtown & Bladnoch from the South of Scotland League; Selkirk travel to meet Highland League team Nairn County while Coldstream make the long trek to face Wick Academy. There is a Borders derby between Gala Fairydean and Hawick Royal Albert.