There will be five junior sides competing in this season's Scottish FA Cup proper.

The following will be a write up on the junior teams who will be preparing to take on their big brothers in the Cup.

That is when he has the time to put this article together

Sadly have a little too much time just now!

Pollok: Lok lost five key players in the summer (Z. Ryan & P. Hyslop to Meadow, R. Logan and G. Wilson to Dumbarton, B. McKeown to Beith), bringing in as replacements Derek Wingate and Andy Essler from Meadow, Calum Hardie from Lochee United and, as back up, amateur keeper Robbie MacKillop. An indifferent Sectional Cup campaign gave no suggestion of the form shown so far in the league with Lok sitting top of the table after two highly impressive performances against Bellshill and Beith. On current form, Lok look good bets to rack up their 5th league championship in 7 seasons. As Drew Cochrane from Westsound suggested on saturday after the destruction of Beith, the team that finishes above Lok will be champions.
2008-09: P6, W5, D0, L1
Ex Seniors: 16
Prediction: have the ability to win against 3rd Division opposition if they can negotiate the 1st round

Bathgate Thistle: Junior Cup winners Thistle have a very experienced squad who know what cup football is all about. The lack of youth may count against them against SFL opposition if given the chance, but they should be too strong for the bulk of their 1st Round opponents. Gary Fallon, Graeme McLaren and Brian McPhee are the new signings while Andy McLaren has been on trial.
2008-09: P6, W3, D2, L1
Ex Seniors: 14
Prediction: A good cup pedigree will make them a team to avoid in the draw

Girvan: Billy Thomson & Brian McLuckie have built a good side at Hamilton Park though their aim will be to stay in the West Super First Division after winning promotion from the District League last season. In come Stewart Leavy, Tony Murphy and Steve Shankland.
2008-09: P8, W7, D0, L1
Ex Seniors: 3
Prediction: A repeat of last year's success (KO'ing Forres and running Stranraer close) a lot to ask

Banks O'Dee: Dee took a thumping at the hands of Keith in the Aberdeenshire Cup so will be looking to avoid Highland opposition if they want to progress in the competition, though I am not too sure how strong their line-up was. Dee have a youth team in the senior Aberdeenshire League and some of those boys were involved in the Keith game. The experience in side comes from Ally Reid (31) and Niall Corser (30) while Richie Taylor goes into his 10th season in adult football despite yet reaching 25! New to Spain Park are teenager Calum Annand, Gary McNamee, Ally Reid and Campbell Watt.
2008-09: P8, W4, D1, L3
Ex Seniors: 2
Prediction: early exit likely

Lochee United: The Thomson Park side have retained most of the title-winning squad and will be looking to build on that success. Greg Kirk comes in from Broughty Athletic while Stuart Abbot has signed from Carnoustie. John Bruce is back at 'Chee after a spell at Forfar West End.
2008-09: P6, W5, D1, L0
Ex Seniors: 14+
Prediction: no mugs - and they seem to be as strong as last season unlike the Rose who seemed weaker defending their crown

Thanks for that cmontheloknow, I really enjoyed it and knew you would come up with the goods.

My question is simpler to answer in terms of words, but a lot harder in terms of facts!! It is - what standard would you classify the clubs in comparison to their senior opponents? So for example - would Banks O'Dee be capable of beating most non-league seniors; or will they be looking for a weaker team in R1 if wanting to progress? Are Bathgate capable of beating most lower SFL sides?

I can answer part of that question for you.

Banks o' Dee will be of similar strength to Crichton the Champions of the South League.

Banks O'Dee will probably be looking for the lower end of the non league seniors
as will Girvan
the others are more than capable of beating lower end SFL clubs
and on their day with a bit of luck some of the lower end SFL Div one clubs as well


I reckon Morton, Clyde, Ross County would not relish a game at Creamery Park or Thomson Park

I think Bathgate's achilles heel is the age of their squad. They seem to be playing a few trialists to make up the numbers just now as well?

Having seen the quality of Montrose last season, by far the best side we played all season in terms of technical ability and speed, I won't tip any Junior sides to win against SFL opposition unless it's someone down the bottom of Division 3.

Here's a quick rundown on the squads of the 5 Junior sides as I have them - there may be omissions. Previous club (if I know) in brackets.

Banks O'Dee


Annand, Callum 1989 (Montrose)
Brownhill, Myles 03/08/1986 (Forfar)
Carstairs, Gordon
Corser, Niall 20/06/1978 (Huntly)
Dick, Ryan Aug-90 (Banks O'Dee BC)
Forbes, Scott
Galashan, Mark (Parkvale)
McNamee, Adam 22/04/1992
McNamee, Gary 1986 (East End)
Pennet, Grant 06/07/1986 (Huntly)
Phillips, Craig 1991 (Banks O'Dee BC)
Reid, Ally 14/06/1977 (Sunnybank)
Scaife, Richard
Taylor, Richie 09/10/1983 (Huntly)
Watt, Campbell (Banchory St Ternan)
Whyte, Kevin

Bathgate Thistle


Carlin, Andy 06/01/1981 (Stenhousemuir)
Docherty, Stephen 18/02/76 (Airdrie United)
Easton, Stewart 10/10/1981 (Elgin City)
Fallon, Gary 20/01/1989 (Motherwell)
Harvey, Johnny 15/09/1982 (Penicuik)
Longmuir, Jordan 27/10/1987 (Colville Park)
Lorek, Jacek 04/02/1980 (LKS Start)
Love, Fraser 16/05/1978 (St Mirren)
Love, Graeme 07/12/1973 (Stirling Albion)
McColligan, Brian 31/10/1980 (Alloa)
McFadyen, Chris 28/08/1974 (Linlithgow)
McGrillen, Paul 19/08/1971 (Stranraer)
McLaren, Graeme 08/09/1983 (Camelon)
McPhee, Brian 23/10/1970 (Dumbarton)
Menmuir, Steve 27/05/1978 (Camelon)
Neill, Alan 13/12/1970 (Berwick)
Nicolson, Iain 13/10/1976 (Alloa)
Wilson, Willie 19/08/1972 (Airdrie Utd)

Girvan


Biggart, Kevin 10/11/1973 (Irvine Meadow)
Booth, Dominic (Whitletts)
Cunningham, Danny 23/08/1984 (Troon)
Dawe, Ernie (Maybole)
Holden, Michael (Ardeer Thistle)
Leach, Jim (Kilwinning Rangers)
Leavy, Stewart 17/02/1985 (Kello Rovers)
McGilp, Scott (Ardeer Thistle)
McLuckie, Brian 09/07/1967 (Ardeer Thistle)
McVittie, David
Mitchell, Darren 1981 (from school, 10th season)
Mitchell, Kris 1986 (Ardeer Thistle)
Moffat, Michael
Murphy, Tony (Hurlford Utd)
O'Donnell, Stevie
Patterson, Robert 1985
Shankland, Steve 18/10/1987 (Craigmark)
Thomson, Billy 18/07/1965 (Ardeer Thistle)

Lochee United


Abbot, Stuart 21/06/1986 (Carnoustie Panmure)
Bannon, Mark 22/08/1983 (Forfar Athletic)
Blackwood, Paul 20/06/1981 (Dundee NE)
Brown, Russell 05/12/1980 (Dundee Violet)
Bruce, John 16/01/1988 (Forfar West End)
Cargill, Charlie 07/12/1980 (Carnoustie Panmure)
Dailly, Gareth 26/10/1979 (Tayport)
Dorward, Ross 31/01/1979 (Montrose)
Hagan, Phil 13/06/1984 (Raith Rovers)
Hay, Graham 11/06/1987 (Dundee)
Krobot, Lukas 31/10/1983 (Cowdenbeath)
Leahy, Steve 13/11/1983 (Elmwood)
McMillan, Kenny 26/08/1983 (Arbroath)
Middleton, Gary 05/03/1982 (Montrose)
Robertson, Craig 28/09/1980 (Forfar Athletic)
Ross, Iain 14/06/1984 (East Fife)
Watson, Colin 26/05/1980 (Elmwood)

Pollok


Aitchison, Stevie 04/09/1976 (Irvine Meadow)
Booth, Mark 07/03/1980 (Elgin City)
Carruth, Joe 12/07/1979 (Glenafton)
Cruickshank, Chris 25/08/1980 (Stranraer)
Dingwall, Bryan 19/03/1976 (Maryhill)
Downs, Robert 22/04/1979 (Arthurlie)
Essler, Andy 15/11/1976 (Irvine Meadow)
Hardie, Calum 12/12/1984 (Lochee United)
Heaton, Derek 03/04/1978 (Johnstone Burgh)
MacKay, Brian 21/03/1988 (St Mirren)
MacKillop, Robbie 11/06/1985 (Dunoon Ams)
McClay, Andy 26/11/1972 (Maryhill)
McGeown, David 06/01/1984 (Alloa)
Miller, Stevie 04/10/1981 (Maryhill)
Newall, Richie 29/03/1978 (Irvine Meadow)
Robertson, Kris 24/09/1982 (Arthurlie)
Turnbull, Davie 05/09/1980 (Stirling Albion)
Waddell, Alan 25/01/1979 (Arthurlie)
Wingate, Derek 26/09/1975 (Irvine Meadow)

Jamie has Doherty left Bathgate? or have you missed him out?

I just listed who I could find were involved this season as the Bathgate website's listing is out of date. Hunter there in error, shall add Docherty and Harvey who is also there still I believe.

Docherty is out injured for around six to eight weeks I heard.Has yet to play but is still there.Harvey is also playing back in from injury.

Haven't seen Lochee lately but I would suggest that Bathgate would struggle to match SFL Third Division sides.

Jamie
Craig Meikle never actually signed for Bathgate
he was supposed to, played for them in League Cup v Camelon on the monday night
and then signed for Penicuik on the Wednesday

I did say on there day with a bit of luck
Linlithgow could easily have scored first against QOS last year
that would have done to the outcome is debatable
but having seen Annan and Stenhousemuir lately I would suggest there
is nothing between most third div clus and the top juniors

Ah yes, I remember hearing that but had put him to BT in my db for some reason.

Andy McLaren has been turning out for Bathgate.

Having seen both last season I would suggest that both would really struggle in the SFL Third Division but in a one off cup tie you never know.

Aye I mentioned that in my 1st post, but I haven't heard of him signing which is why he's not in the squad list.

I fancy our chances, we are playing well though we have just picked up a few injuries.

A good draw and you never know.

Are there any teams the juniors are keen to avoid in the draw?

Anybody read his book. I actually feel bad for the abuse i used to give him.

After watching the way they picked our pocket in the Junior Cup semi in April, I'm sure while revenge would be nice, Lok would fancy a safer draw than Bathgate. Lochee United are also a side with a proven track record but Banks O'Dee and Girvan hold no fear for me.

Outside of our own wee world, I'd like to give a wide berth to the top Highland sides in Monday's draw, i.e. Deveronvale, Locos and Huntly, in fact a trip North outside of Fort William can be kept in the hat! I don't know what happened to Edinburgh City when they lost 3-1 at home to the very average St. Anthony's in pre-season? If it wasn't for that, I'd again be looking to avoid the EOS's top dogs.

But we'll give whoever we face a tough game.

I'd like to give a Highland team a wide berth as well especially an away one.

Would take on any EOS team.

You fancy yourselfs against us? (Girvan).

Just wondering.

jolly good read old chap. I look forward to seeing (and supporting) every junior team in the scottish this year.

I'd like to think so seeing as we used to play against each other in the South but i know Girvan have improved loads since then.

Pollock v Spartans...interesting one eh!

not really

4 or 5 for Pollok

Pollok should wim comfortably. I hope Lochee hump Bathgate too.

having watch bathgate and lochee they have no chance

pollock could have a good run look a great side althought in my opinion the manager is very over rated and seems to make a lot of clubs go into turmoil

Well, Threave Rovers beat Stenhousemuir last season so I don't see why the likes of Lochee United couldn't give Elgin a game. I didn't say they'd match all of them, but I don't think the lower reaches are that special.

Anyway, a bit unfair on Sinnet I'd say. He maybe was at the Rose too long but brought success to both them and Benburb and took Blantyre to a Junior Cup semi. His record prior to that was of a young manager. He knows the score these days and has a track record that stands up to anyone managing just now.

Of course you do sponsoredhaddie.

I think Pollok will WIM too

one things for sure yous lot wont wimaway from home


no even in the jungle the mighty jungle

I'm off ignore again? Check your ignore button is working
Editing again as well. What big word was it this time? "Yous"?

We have a better record up at Lochee than at home against Lochee Utd I think. Just because Lithgae didn't wim away against Camelon in their last cup outing doesn't mean we can't. Get to bed, you have school in the morning.

Forgot to add - who do YOUS play?

We have a better record up at Lochee than at home against Lochee Utd I think.


must be a real supporter then eh,you only think you have a better record.whats wrong dundee to far for the tandem.
or do you revert back to being an armchair taig when b/gate are not playing at home. btw would you like a wager on the lochee game.aww wait that would never happen would it.you would have to reveal yourself.

I see bigotry isn't confined to supporters of the Senior game!

He's not the brightest Aloysius, and is still a minor. Probably just heard some of the big boys saying "taig" at school.

.

Will you pair joe/lyt fvck off over to the SPL forum and keep your bigot shite out of here!!!!!!!.

oo get her

Good luck to all the Junior clubs and hope some of you get a wee bit of a run obviously 1 will defo go out in this round which is a pity.

Dee should be comfortable against Fort William.

Pollock to beat Spartans.

Think Huntly will be to strong for Girvan. (But look what happened last season)

Lochee to pip Bathgate.

really good book

very hard hitting

"What happened to City to lose to the very average St Anthony's"?
Ach, they were just fannying about that day... can't see the Citizens get past Nairn though.

Girvan are a decent team this year. I didn't catch if the game was at Huntly or Girvan - if they're at home then Girvan could certainly give them a game. 27 goals in the Ardagh Cup ( albeit they've been bumped now ) and a good start to the league. They did well against us in the league game although I reckon we were worth our win.

Good luck to them

It's up North

Ding Dong merrily on high