It's a tale of two teams for McFadyen in title clash

What was in theory no more than a derby match has now assumed rather more signifcance for the Bo'ness player.

"A win is vital if both teams want to win the title," he explained. "A win for Bo'ness would seal it for us with a draw making it very difficult for Linlithgow to steal it on goal difference. They would have to score something like 20 goals in their remaining games to overtake us.

McFadyen believes the Newtown Park support can help lift his side. "The players will take a lift from them. If we play the way we have been doing all season then we're confident we can win it and make the supporters happy," he went on.

"Linlithgow are on a high after winning the Scottish Cup and are on a high after a good string of results, so it'll be a very difficult game for both sides. It's two good teams going into a huge local derby with both line-ups packed with experience so it has all the ingredients for a cracker of a game.

"The rivalry between the supporters is unbelievable: much the same as the Glasgow divide but on a much smaller scale.

"Saturday should see another huge crowd for Junior football and if the supporters remember the Scottish Cup semi-final a few years ago there was nine thousand of a crowd at Livingston for that one," he went on. "I don't know if we'll get that many on Saturday but there may be a couple of thousand. The last time we played in the League it was a draw but the stakes weren't the same. Saturday's game could see us win the flag and Linlithgow won't like that. I think it will be whoever is up for it on the day. It may take just one piece of magic and the game is won."

Ironically, McFadyen takes great heart from Rose's victory over Largs Thistle at Rugby Park on Sunday and believes the Bo'ness can mimic the performance of Dave Baikie's side that day.

"A piece of magic from Kevin Donnelly produced a brilliant goal and that was that," he said. "It's about who will make the big decisions on the day. Take a chance and the business is done. What we have to be careful about is not getting caught up on the occasion. There will be a big crowd for both camps and if you let your mind wander then it may be too late.

"We have got enough experience though in the squad so hopefully that won't happen. The manager will have us set up for the game correctly and the last word will be to go out there and do the business. I've experienced these games before and all I'll be doing is concentrating on beating my direct opponent and that will help the team as well as me."

McFadyen is well aware of just how important this game is for the Bo'ness supporters. When Linlithgow won the right to take part in Scottish Cup two seasons ago it was a slap in the face to their fiercest rivals. Linlithgow reached the fourth round and were only beaten by Queen of the South, who eventually were the beaten finalists.

Last Sunday, Linlithgow qualified again to take part with their supporters rejoicing in what could be another great adventure. Bo'ness are so close to joining them. The stakes are high – and McFadyen knows it.