cinch Championship – Greenock Morton v Arbroath (Saturday – 3:00pm k.o.)
It’s 6th v 10th in the cinch Championship, as Dick Campbell’s struggling Lichties travel to Cappielow to take on a Morton side who have been a bit of a mixed bag in the opening weeks of the season.
It’s been an interesting start to the season for Dougie Imrie’s men. 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from the opening 6 Championship fixtures highlights a side that is more than likely to have a middle-of-the-road campaign in the second tier. The summer’s recruitment has brought an array of fresh faces through the door, with most signings being of the ‘sensible’ ilk. Jack Baird and Darragh O’Connor will bring much-needed reinforcements to the back line, while Grant Gillespie, Robbie Crawford & Liam Grimshaw will provide steel in the middle of the park. However, there seems to be something missing in the forward department – an issue that a lot of lower league clubs have been faced with this summer. The loss of Gozie Ugwu was a real blow, with no ‘out and out’ No 9 brought in in his place. Morton will still be confident that they can defeat a struggling Arbroath side – despite the Lichties getting the better of last season’s 4 meetings.
It has been a thoroughly difficult start to the season for Arbroath. The disappointment of last season’s promotion near miss seems to be looming over the club, with the Lichties yet to pick up a win in their opening 6 league fixtures and sitting on just 2 points. They had 13 points at this stage of last season. Despite the difficult situation, Arbroath have an extremely strong squad. They managed to retain a vast number of last season’s key players and have adequately replaced those who have moved on. Scott Allan, Dylan Tait and Keaghan Jacobs are 3 midfield players any side in the Championship would be fortunate to have. The lack of goals will be a concern though, scoring just 3 in the first 6 league matches. It remains to be seen whether the firepower of last season’s top scorer Michael McKenna and new signing Kieran Shanks will be able to lift Arbroath up the table. A positive result at Cappielow on Saturday could prove to be the perfect catalyst.
cinch League 1 – Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk (Saturday – 3:00pm k.o.)
One of the SPFL’s most fiery fixtures returns on Saturday, as Dunfermline Athletic host Falkirk at East End Park in a derby clash which is sure to play a part in the cinch League 1 promotion race, even at this early stage of the season.
The Pars have been the standard bearers in the early weeks of the League 1 season. They’ve already set an impressive pace and have a marginal, yet coveted lead in the title race. With 4 wins and 2 draws under their belt, James McPake’s divisional new boys look set to have an enjoyable season in the third tier. However, momentum is key, and the ability to maintain that momentum will be put to the test when arch-rivals Falkirk cross the Kincardine divide into Fife for a match where sparks always fly. As is the way with derby fixtures, form is likely to go out of the window, with the match being determined by the team who wants it more on the day. The Pars will be confident in their ability to play the game and not the occasion. If they manage to get at Falkirk and get an early goal, the East End support may help carry the team to victory.
Falkirk are a team who are incredibly difficult to gauge. Just when you think they’ve picked up a few good results in a row and are starting to build up a head of steam, they hit another setback. The latest of which was a disappointing 2-0 loss away to Kelty Hearts off the back of 3 consecutive league victories. Despite the setback, Falkirk look like a far more settled, confident team this season. The acquisitions of Stephen McGinn and former Pars man Coll Donaldson have been shrewd ones, helping to provide the Bairns with a more robust spine to the team. With what will no doubt be a loud backing from a large travelling Falkirk support, there’s no reason why the Bairns can’t pick up all 3 points at East End. Could Cal Morrison, Juan Alegria or Rumarn Burrell have their away day derby moment, much like Blair Alston, Nathan Austin and Zak Rudden in years past? Only time will tell.
cinch League 2 – Dumbarton v Bonnyrigg Rose (Saturday – 3:00pm k.o.)
A top of the table clash beckons in cinch League 2, with Dumbarton looking to maintain their 100% record against newly-promoted Bonnyrigg Rose.
Sons seem to have gotten over the disappointment of last season’s relegation rather quickly and used it as an opportunity to come back with a serious vengeance. Dumbarton have won each of their opening 6 league fixtures, joining Premiership table toppers Celtic as the only SPFL sides to do so this season. Stevie Farrell’s summer recruitment has been key, with additions such as Declan Byrne, Martin McNiff and Ally Love already playing big roles in the early part of the season. Sons are built on strong foundations, with a defence which has conceded just 3 times in the first 6 matches. On the other hand, a potent attack which has scored 14 in the same amount of time highlights the sheer strength of this team. A result against Bonnyrigg on Saturday could potentially see the Sons move 11 points clear at the top of the table, if other results were to go their way. An absolute chasm by the middle of September. It would be hard to see anyone catching Dumbarton if that were the case.
While most lower league sides have brought about a sea of change in the summer, Bonnyrigg’s key strength is that of continuity. With the majority of last season’s Lowland League winning squad being retained for the start of the club’s SPFL adventure. The Rosey Posey made just 3 first-team signings over the summer months, with experienced forward Kevin Smith being the headline act. With 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses so far, Bonnyrigg are proving to be more than worthy competitors in a very competitive cinch League 2 this season. Though, their most recent defeat to Elgin City at Borough Briggs will be seen as an incredibly disappointing one, handing the home side their first league win of the campaign. The trip to the Rock will be the most difficult test yet for Robbie Horn’s side, as they look to try and derail the oncoming express train that is Dumbarton. A win for the Rose though, and the gap between 2nd and 1st looks that little bit less daunting. A huge incentive for Bonnyrigg.
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