Third spot is the target but it won't be a stroll

The Strollers, under the joint management of Keith Stewart and Andy Raeburn, are unbeaten in league games in 2010, their only blip being a 3-1 loss against Leith Athletic in the King Cup.

Last Saturday, a Craig Dickson goal was enough to give them a 1-0 victory against Selkirk, who relied on goalkeeper John Dodds to keep the scoreline so close.

"Our goalkeeper, Gavin Ramsay, had virtually nothing to do because Selkirk never created any clear-cut chances yet they could quite easily have snatched a draw in the dying minutes," said Stewart. "Vinnie (Craig Dickson) scored a great goal and it was good to have him back because he always gives 110 per cent."

Thistle and the Strollers met only three weeks ago in the reverse fixture when the score was 1-1 with Alan Wilson on the mark for the Strollers while Jim Young netted from the penalty spot. "It was a scrappy game and I felt that the only way that either team would score would be from a dead-ball situation and that's what happened," said Stewart. "With ten minutes left we scored with a free-kick then gave Lothian a penalty from which they equalised.

"We know that tomorrow will be a tough game but my players will not need any motivation as they know that three points will possibly take them to third in the Premier Division. However, we also know Lothian are a top side with very good players who have a superb attitude and they want to finish as runners-up. It will be difficult for us but there are no easy games in the Premier Division.

"Lothian have striker Wayne McIntosh who is always a danger and, when he plays well, Lothian play well. We are happy with the season so far and, although third place would be a bonus, we would be satisfied if there were four or five teams below us at the end of the season."

The Strollers welcome back Gerry Burgess from suspension although Neil Campbell is now banned, John Dunn has work commitments and Lotfi Barberou is out injured long term.

Lothian Thistle, meanwhile, are determined to finish in second place and showed their intentions last week when they defeated championship contenders Whitehill Welfare 4-2 with a double from Wayne McIntosh.

Fraser Ogilvie, the Lothian coach, said: "In the first half we thoroughly deserved to be two ahead and, although Whitehill fought back to equalise, our boys showed great character to then score another two goals. We don't have a big squad but when everybody is available then I reckon that it is one of the strongest squads in the entire league.

"While we obviously want to finish second in the Premier Division I wish Whitehill Welfare all the best in their chase for the title because I want our league to be as competitive as possible and we still have them to play at Rosewell."

Thistle's squad will be stretched tomorrow with Jordan Hall, Mark Lothian and Craig Hume suspended while Gary Black is injured. "It looks like I will have to play again," smiled Ogilvie.

"Suspensions are catching up with us although our discipline has generally been good so we may have to play some trialists. We only have two league games to go and we want to finish on a high by looking down on every team apart from Spartans who we cannot now catch. We also want to achieve the reputation of being a good, young footballing side so that people will take notice of us. We probably need to build a bigger squad to enable us to challenge for all the trophies.

"Although we will be tested by the Strollers I am confident that the players who come in will do a job for us."

The action kicks-off at Saughton Enclosure at 2.00pm with admission prices for adults, 4 and concessions 2.