Football is back! Scottish Cup for Greater Glasgow sides & the league - Preview

September break is over, and we are back!! It is time to return to action, and I hope everyone is excited as I am. Some huge matches in the Scottish Cup this weekend, as well as the Greater Glasgow Football League, and all players should feel well rested after a weekend break. I want to thank everyone for their continued support, and the reaction to the polls we ran last weekend, it is brilliant to see. I hope you’re all as excited for Saturday as I am, please contact us on Saturday evening with how you got on, and any nominations for the new, Team of the Week competition, revealed each week. I hope you enjoy, here are the matches... Scottish Cup Round 2 Auchenfoyle (SECAFL) vs. Eastwood Parkmount 'B' Eastwood Parkmount 'B' will be oon the road this weekend as they face Auchenfoyle of the SECAFL. EPM B would enjoy a good cup run. They have been excellent on the weekends this season, and they will want to continue this.  

Barshaw (SSM) vs. Dynamo East Kilbride Last time out, Dynamo East Kilbride played Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers, of the Caledonian League, one of the best leagues in Scotland. They didn't win the game, but the will be confident, having played an exceptional side, they play against Barshaw away from home of the SSM League, they will feel good going into this one. Bellaire vs. Rosehill Star (SAFL) Last weekend, Bellaire were involved in an excellent contest, they fell just short to Eaglesham of the Caledonian League, and they went toe to toe. This was a great performance from Belliare, one they will be happy with despite the result. This time they are at home and they face Rosehill Star, and will be looking to proceed through to the next round of the Scottish Cup. Blochairn Star (SSML) vs. Rannoch Rannoch travel to Blochairn Star in the SSML, a side that also travelled to a side that play in the Caledonian League, they scored twice and will take confidence from that. They will be well rested after the break and ready to go in the Scottish Cup. Calderglen vs. Rossvale (SAFL) It is Scottish Cup action for Calderglen, they host Rossvale, and Calderglen were involved in a very close contest ending 1-0. They were brilliant during the game and have been well rested over the past week due to the September break. It is a strong Calderglen squad, that will be ready for Scottish Cup action. 

Carbrain (S&D) vs. Boswell In the West of Scotland Cup, Boswell were involved in a brilliant game against Cambria, it went right to the end, unfortunately with Cambria earning the 2-1 win, but Boswell were still brilliant. They have another chance to progress, as they travel to Carbrain, and they have Steven Odunewu in their ranks, a very talented player that plays in a free role in midfield. Odunewu played for Clyde and for Queen's Park, and he possesses real skill. Steven Odunewu could be the difference between the two sides. We spoke to Boswell and they have said, “Had a good rest and raring to get back to playing football after the long weekend. Hard game away to carbrain AFC in the scottish cup need to make up for our last result in the west of Scotland cup and get back to winning ways MTB”. 

Crookston Castle vs. Blantyre (GDSM) A brilliant start to the season in the Greater Glasgow League, and Crookston Castle will be ready for the magic of the Scottish Cup to take over once again. The Greater Glasgow side face Blantyre at home, they will be ready for this one. Eaglesham (CAL) vs. Jordanhill September break was a historic event for Jordanhill. They celebrated their charismatic chairman's 20th year in charge this season as well as his 50th birthday and they celebrated in style, have a friendly match, that was filled with emotion. In terms of competitive football, they are coming off a brilliant win in the West of Scotland Cup and they would like to continue their form into the Scottish Cup. Jordanhill will style be happy with the result and will be ready to go again. We spoke to Iain Brown of Jordanhill and he said, “We have signed a couple of new players and a few injured ones have returned. Eaglesham will be a tough test in the Scottish Cup, but we are looking forward to the challenge. We have to be confident after our last result”. 

Eastwood Parkmount 'A' vs. North Kelvin Sports A Greater Glasgow League clash in the Scottish Cup, the only one this Saturday, Eastwood Parkmount 'A' were excellent when they beat Gryffe Th away from home in the West of Scotland Cup and they were clinical, they will look to carry on in similar fashion. North Kelvin Sports have had a trying season so far, but what better day to go for it, and aim for a win, than in Scottish Cup action, they will want to progress in this tournament, and cup matches are all about magic and upsets. Erskine vs. Cardross (SAFL) The Greater Glasgow based side, Erskine, they won their one match in the league so far, and will want to continue from their league form. It is a new cup, and another chance, they will hope to continue through to Round 3 of the Scottish Cup. Helensburgh vs. Dunoon Ams (SAFL) An awesome victory for Helensburgh in the West of Scotland Cup last time out, as they won 6-2 against UCS, and they return to Cup action in the Scottish Cup this weekend, once again at home, as they host Dunoon Ams, and confidence will be riding high. They have scored well all season, and after the September break, will want to start a run of games this weekend. Helensburgh are ready for this one, they have said,“'This Saturday sees an Argyll derby as Dunoon of the SAFL come calling to Helensburgh. Should be a decent game with the burgh team winning their opening 4 games their confidence should be high. Couple of players missing. Due to injury and would you believe it, the run up to a wedding. Manager Sam Gemmell, "One of our lads gets married in a couple of weeks and he has been told by his future wife not to play footie in the run up to the wedding..... starting of on the wrong path there we think. It's a pain for us as he's been one of the stars of the early games but we will just have to work round it. The squad is large enough to cope...I hope". 

Newshot vs. Goldenhill (SAFL) It is hard to get to the top but it is harder to stay there. It was a brilliant month for Newshot, as their manager, James 'Jim' Carroll won the Sport Central, Manager of the Month award for September 2017. It was a clean sweep for Newshot, as Chrissy Aitken, the winger won the Sport Central Player of the Month award. They will take their confidence and form into Scottish Cup action this weekend as they host Goldenhill, and will be excited to get into this one. It is clear from last week that Newshot has a large following. Last time out, in the West of Scotland Cup, Newshot were in an epic encounter, that went to extra time and then to penalties. Newshot will not want it to go down to the wire as much as it did during the West of Scotland Cup, but they would take a win, however it comes. 

Port Glasgow (SAFL) vs. John Street John Street played well in the West of Scotland Cup, they scored 3 times, and came very close, but it was not to be. They have another chance to go this weekend, they travel to Port Glasgow, in the Scottish Cup, they will be up for this one, and ready to go. John Street are hoping that their first choice keeper is back this weekend and hope to have a full squad available. Rannoch Colts vs. Carluke Hearts (LEAFA) A tough weekend for Rannoch Colts last time out, but they have had plenty of time to recover and reset. They will want to put it to the back of their minds and then to go again this weekend in the Scottish Cup. They host Carluke Hearts of the LEAFA. They will be ready for Scottish Cup action this Saturday. River Nevis (GCAFA) vs. FC Baillieston FC Baillieston travel to River Ness of the GCAFA league, a side that they'll be ready for the challenge. Baillieston have been good this season and they're ready for Scottish Cup action and to hit the ground running. South Lochaber Thistle vs. Uddingston (SSM) SLT put up a great fight in their match last time out and they are ready to go again. They have refreshed and reset during the break and they're ready to go again. South Lochaber Thistle host Uddingston of the SSM and SLT will want to get on the score sheet early and look to get a good start, they'll be ready for the challenge. St. Pat's FP (CEN) vs. Newton Vale Newton Vale will be travelling this weekend too St Pat's FP in Scottish Cup action and Sean Donaghy's men will be ready to get back on the field. Newton Vale are a very well drilled side that are currently top of division 1 in the Greater Glasgow League. Paul Mullholland featured in the team of the month, one of many strong defenders that Newton Vale have. They will want to have put their West of Scotland Cup game behind them and get back on track in the Scottish Cup. St Thomas vs. Drumpellier Th (S&D) A huge game in Scottish Cup action as St Thomas host S&D outfit, Drumpellier Th. St Thomas will be excited to get going again in Scottish Cup action, as they're in round 2. They are looking to carry on a good run. St Thomas have started well in the league this year, they will want to take that form into the cup. 

Stedfast (CEN) vs. Ashvale Victoria Last weekend, Ashvale Victoria recorded a brilliant result, they won 8-1 in division 2 action, and this week they are ready for Cup action. They will want to be touched by the magic of the Scottish Cup, and want to continue through to the next round, and really kick start their season. Third Lanark vs. Hurlford (AYR) During the September break, David Ampleford was missing football, and so were his men and he is ready to get to action in the Scottish Cup. Ampleford will be excited for this weekend as they put up a brilliant display against Strathclyde Uni last time out. This weekend they host Hurlford and they have been working hard for it. David Ampleford was a very close second for the Sport Central Manager of the Month, and superstar Alan Semple was the runner up for Player of the month. Semple has been in inspired for this season and will want this to continue into the Scottish Cup. David Ampleford, manager of Third Lanark and excellent contender for Manager of the Month, said, “We are looking forward to this weeks game. We played against a top side in Strathclyde Uni and gave a very good account of ourselves. We know that Hurlford will be just as good, if not better, and we'll be working hard in training this week to get us ready for this game”. He continued on to say, “There'll be a few changes to our squad this week after last weeks game so i'm sure some players will be looking to take their opportunity in the team”. 

Westcliff vs. FC Clydebank (CEN) An amazing result for Westcliffe last weekend as they set a great tone for the teams of the Greater Glasgow League as they were the early kick off and they won it 7-2. James Burns of Westliff was a nomination for Player of the Month for September, as well as making the Team of the Month. He has been in excellent goal scoring form, and Westcliffe will hope that he is firing, and Westcliffe can take a lot of confidence from this result. 

Division 1 Cambria vs. St. Patrick's FP A good start to the season for Cambria as they come up against St. Patrick’s FP. Cambria’s Mike McKenzie made the team of the month for September, he has seemingly transformed himself from a goal keeper to a defender, and even scored a great goal against Newton Vale. He has been brilliant and so have many players from Cambria. A great game is in store for us all. Cambria have said ahead of the game, “After the break at the weekend and playing in the WOS cup the weekend before it'll be good to get back to league business. With newton vale not in action this gives us a great opportunity to get points on the board and go to the top of the table. Still 4 or 5 long term injuries who will remain out but we see the return of two centre halves in Ross Nixon and Yogi however with make shift centre half mike mckenzie making the team of the month they will find it hard to win back their jerseys”. Glasgow University 'A' vs. Eaglesham Now that the universities are back, studying is on hold while Glasgow University ‘A’ host Eaglesham. Eaglesham have started well and are now in full flow, but they will be facing a fresh Glasgow University ‘A’. Having not played so far this season, this could be a blessing or a curse, they may be fresh, but they may not, they may have cobwebs that they must blow off. Strathclyde University vs. Westerlands 'A' The very good Strathclyde University will be hosting Westerlands ‘A’. They have been good this season and they will be ready to travel to Strathclyde University. Both sides will want points in the league, and a good start to the season, this is going to be an exciting game against an unknown side. Division 2 Colquhoun United vs. Glasgow University 'B' Now that the Universities are back in full swing, it is time for them to return to the pitch. Glasgow University ‘B’, they face Colquhoun United. As it stands Glasgow University ‘B’ are an unknown entity and they are playing Colquhoun United, they have had a mixed start of the year, they will be up for this one, and Glasgow University ‘B’ will be up for this one, to try and start strongly in the league. 

Westerlands G.G. vs. East Kilbride Y.M. Both sides have 6 points in the league, it's a game that couldn't be more fair and on a level playing field. They have both won the same out of games and they've scored plenty of goals. East Kilbride YM picked up an 11-0 win this season already and will want that to continue, this will be a brilliant encounter. We spoke to Graeme Robertson, manager of East Kilbride Y.M. and he said, “we play Westerlands GG who have had a similar start to the league campaign as ourselves so going away from home we will be expecting a tough match. Unfortunately we are missing 6 or 7 due to holidays this weekend and are experiencing a bit of a defensive crisis with 4 defenders away. Also we will be missing top goal scorer scott Campbell who is also away this weekend. This gives guys an opportunity to come in a show what they can do and I have no concerns about throwing anyone into the match come Saturday afternoon”. Division 3 Busby vs. Carradale A rematch of two weeks ago, and it was a brilliant match. Carradale won this one 6-5 at home against Busby, but the venue has changed, but the excitement has not, it is still there. Hoping for another 11 goal thriller, there is a brilliant match in store between Busby and Carradale. A reminder of last month’s team of the month for September. 

I hope you enjoy the article, please provide any feedback, thank you all for your support, it has been great since day one, good luck to everyone in action this weekend.  

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