Preview: Five crucial games for East Lothian's football teams

Only Dunbar United do not have a game, which leaves their Premier Division colleagues Haddington Athletic and Musselburgh Athletic in action.

Both sides are home with Glenrothes visiting Millfield and Kinnoull heading to the Olivebank Arena.

Preston Athletic also have home advantage as they welcome Arniston Rangers in the First Division.

Tranent swap East Lothian for West Lothian and a trip to Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Lowland Football League.

Ormiston Primrose swap East Lothian for Midlothian and the relatively short trip to Dalkeith Thistle in the Second Division.

Tranent (maroon) defeated East Kilbride last weekend. Image: Alan Wilson

Match of the Day

Linlithgow Rose v Tranent

Scottish Lowland Football League

Kick-off 3pm

THREE games remain for Tranent in their bid to finish as high up the Scottish Lowland Football League table as possible.

The Belters currently sit fifth in the standings and face a tricky end to the campaign.

The first of those games takes them to Linlithgow Rose, who sit two places below them in the table.

Last month’s reverse fixture finished 2-1 to Ian Little’s men and they would be delighted with more of the same.

Haddington Athletic (maroon) host Glenrothes. Image: Garry Menzies

Haddington Athletic v Glenrothes

East of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Kick-off 2.30pm

MID-TABLE Haddington Athletic welcome a Glenrothes side still anxiously looking over their shoulder in the relegation battle.

The Hi Hi can still finish in the top half after an inconsistent campaign that has included 10 wins and 11 defeats.

Their opponents are two points above the drop zone but having played more games than both Luncarty and Crossgates Primrose.

Scott Bonar’s men won 1-0 in Fife at the end of September and would take a similar scoreline.

Musselburgh Athletic (blue) have Kinnoull as opponents

Musselburgh Athletic v Kinnoull

East of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Kick-off 2.30pm

THREE points are surely a must for Musselburgh if they are to keep alive their bid to catch Broxburn Athletic.

Visitors Kinnoull are bottom of the standings and looking at an immediate return to the First Division.

Twenty defeats from 23 games spells out their predicament while Musselburgh aim to, at least, keep pace with the league leaders.

Liam Burns and his side won the reverse fixture 4-0 in September.

Preston Athletic (blue) welcome Arniston Rangers

Preston Athletic v Arniston Rangers

East of Scotland Football League First Division

Kick-off 2.30pm

PRESTON Athletic’s bogey team this season seems to have been Arniston Rangers.

The Midlothian men have won three out of three contests between the side this campaign.

Despite that, it is the Pennypit club who sit highest in the table – seven points clear of their visitors.

With games in hand over many of the teams above them, Preston could still push up the table between now and the end of the season.

Ormiston Primrose head to Dalkeith Thistle

Dalkeith Thistle v Ormiston Primrose

East of Scotland Football League Second Division

Kick-off 2.30pm

THE battle to avoid the drop takes Ormiston Primrose into Midlothian this afternoon.

Dalkeith Thistle sit seventh in the Second Division table but have endured an up and down campaign.

Eleven wins from 23 games is not too bad but it is coupled with 10 defeats along the way.

The Midlothian men were 6-2 winners at New Recreation Park and will be keen to move up the table with three points while Ormiston can move above Edinburgh United in the relegation zone.