Posted October 21, 2016

It's William Hill Scottish Cup tie again on Saturday afternoon as we welcome runaway Lowland League leaders East Kilbride to Central Park with a 3 p.m. kick off.

 

Whilst this is our first game in the competition this will be Kilbys second game after a 9-1 home win over fellow Lowland League side Vale of Leithen in the First Round.

 

Martin Lauchan's side, who have won 24 games in a row, actually went behind in the game but came back in style to book their place in the second round.

 

Last season of course saw East Kilbride hit the national headlines when they reached the fifth round of the cup eventually going down 2-0 against Premiership champions Celtic at the Excelsior Stadium before a record crowd of just under 8000 and the live BBC TV cameras.

 

Since then boss Billy Ogilvie stepped down due to work commitments and was quickly replaced by former Partick and St Johnstone defender Lachlan who after losing his first game against Whitehill Welfare has gone on an amazing winning run which see's his side 10 points clear at the top of the Lowland League having played a game less than second place Dalbeatie Star.

 

As well as welcoming new opponents to Central Park for the first time we also see the return of three former players. Martin McBride played for us a decade ago and last season both Declan Hughes and Kieran Gibbon were in our side.

 

EK have a mixture of youth and experience in their side with a few familiar names to Cowden fans - former Dundee United duo Robbie Winters and David Proctor while top scorer is Joao Victoria is top scorer once again after spending last season with Arbroath.

 

Last Saturday saw us break a run of two successive home defeats when we came back from being 2-0 down at the break to draw 2-2 with Annan thanks to goals from Kyle Miller and Nickolay Todorov.

 

Kilby were also in action and were 1-0 home winners over Gala Fairydean Rovers in the South Challenge Cup thanks to a long range free kick from Adam Strachan.

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

REFEREE: Gavin Ross

ASSISTANT REFEREE'S: Stuart Stevenson & Jordan Paterson.

 

ADMISSION

 

Home fans should note that season tickets are not valid for this game.

 

ADULTS - £10

 

CONCESSIONS - £5 (65 and over, 16 and under, students and disabled fans).

 

If for any reason the match is postponed on Saturday it will be rescheduled for Tuesday 1st November. If a replay is required it will take place at K-Park, East Kilbride on Saturday 29th October.

 

PROGRAMME - £2.50 our 48 page full colour programme will be on sale from just inside the turnstiles.

 

50/50 DRAW - £1 per ticket with our regular prize being in three figures. Tickets are also on sale from just inside the turnstiles.

 

Previewer: Andrew Mullen.