Posted November 1, 2012

It’s that time of the season once more as we open our William Hill Scottish Cup campaign with a Third Round tie against Central Taxis East of Scotland League Premier Division side Vale of Leithen on Saturday afternoon with the earlier than normal kick off time of 2 p.m.

 

Although we have met the Inner Leithen side on various occasions over the years in pre-season friendly games we have only met them once in the Scottish Cup when we won 3-0 at Central Park back on 10th December 1983 when an own goal from Gordon Boyd along with further goals from Steve Gavin and Bertie Miller saw us safely through.

 

Unusually for this stage of the William Hill Scottish Cup Vale are only one of two East of Scotland League sides left in the competition with just them and Edinburgh City, who are at home to Queen of the South, left flying the flag for the league.
 

COWDEN FORM

We have had mixed fortunes in cup competitions this season. In the Ramsdens Cup we of course reached the Semi-Finals but in the Scottish Communities League Cup we fell at the first hurdle away to Montrose.

Last Saturday we went down 3-0 in the derby game at Dunfermline but most of the squad had a run out in the midweek 6-0 Reserve League win over Airdrie United.
 

VALE OF LEITHEN FORM

Vale also go into Saturday’s big cup tie on the back of a defeat after losing 2-1 at Victoria Park to Edinburgh City in the Second Round of the South Regional Challenge Cup last Saturday.

Before that however they had been on a nine game unbeaten run in both the league and cup competitions.

In the William Hill Scottish Cup they won 1-0 at Threave Rovers before beating local rivals Selkirk 5-1 in a replay at Victoria Park following a 1-1 draw.
 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Top scorer for Vale so far this season is Danny Noon who has hit the net seven times in 12 appearances. Previously with St Johnstone and Berwick Rangers as a youngster the 27 year old has been around the East of Scotland League scene for a while turning out for Edinburgh City, Spartans and Preston Athletic as well as a spell in the juniors with Penicuik Athletic from where he was signed in the summer.
 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Taking charge of the game is George Salmond, who was recently at Central Park as fourth official in the Ramsdens Cup Semi-Final with Partick Thistle. His assistants are Graeme Leslie and Duncan Smith.
 

ADMISSION

Home supporters are reminded that season tickets are not valid for this game although prices have been reduced from the normal league rates.

Parent & 1 Child (under 12) - £14
 

THE BLUE BRASILIAN

A special cup tie edition of our multi award winning programme will be on sale from just inside the turnstiles on Saturday priced £2. 

The programme will be of interest to both Cowden and Vale fans as we look back on previous meetings between the sides including our first meetings when our reserves played in the East of Scotland League.

As well as our cup flavoured articles all our regular features are included with all the latest news from Central Park as well as Colin Cameron’s thoughts on the big cup tie.

All money raised goes towards helping your club so remember to get your copy on Saturday!