West Lothian and Falkirk lead way as key games loom

With the Jack High Insurance National League reaching the halfway stage last week, the back five round of matches get under way around the country today, with West Lothian and Falkirk holding sway in both Premier Division sections by a two-point advantage.

Section A leaders West Lothian have eight points from their last five matches, and they line up against Alloa, who are without a point. Blantyre, Paisley and East Lothian are all locked on six points, two behind the leaders. Blantyre, who have lost out in the title decider three times over the last five years, travel to Prestwick, while four-in-a-row winners East Lothian head to Paisley.

In Section B, Falkirk carry a three-point lead ahead of Auchinleck, on six, and defending champions Midlothian, who have five. Midlothian only have a 50 per cent success rate from their five matches to date but will no doubt push Falkirk all the way as they bid to retain the title, while second-placed Auchinleck will be keen to make amends at Turriff after their hefty 40-shot defeat at Lanarkshire last week.

In Division 1, it’s a three-way tie at the top of Section A, with Abbeyview, Perth and Fraserburgh all locked on six points, while Tweedbank and Coatbridge are in pole position by two points in Section B and C.

Abbeyview have a table-topping head-to-head with Perth, while Fraserburgh meet Dundee, Tweedbank have an away match against fourth-placed Stirling while Coatbridge entertain an East Kilbride team who trail them by three points.