SINCE taking the plunge from the Premier Division, life has not been easy for Selkirk in the lower grade, writes John Slorance.
Indeed, as their lowly league position points out, life has been extremely hard, with matters coming to a head following a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Leith Athletic last Saturday.
No-one is more aware of Selkirk’s problems than manager Mike McKinnon, and talking of his side’s troubled situation prior to the Souters’ home clash with Kelso United this weekend, the former Cowdenbeath player told TheSouthern: “When the season started I set us a target, but we are not going to achieve that target now, so we now have a new one and that is just to get as many points as possible.
“We really need to start improving and show other teams we are not as bad as our league position shows. I may have to bring in new recruits to do this and have told our players as much, so it’s up to them to prove that they are good enough to remain with Selkirk.
“Due to our recent results, Kelso United will be coming to Selkirk full of confidence and I am expecting a really tough game”.
McKinnon hopes to have a new signing in his squad, while Jamie Higgenbottom is suspended.
Kelso united are at full strength.
Having recorded two wins in succession, including taking the scalp of high-ranking Craigroyston in their last outing, Peebles Rovers are currently in a respectable spot. Rovers bid to make it a hat-trick of victories in taking on Berwick Rangers Reserves at home and team boss Jason Girdwood said: “I was ecstatic with our performance, as well as with the way we scored our goals against Craigroyston. We want to keep the momentum going, but we will not be getting carried away. Berwick are a good side and I am not going to say we will beat them, but we will be giving it a go.”
Gala Fairydean travel to Edinburgh to tangle with Craigroyston and manager Garry Fraser said: “A win for us would put Craigroyston out of the running as far as promotion goes and would be big lift for the ’Dean.”
The Fairies are without the suspended Gary Lothian.
Hawick Royal Albert travel to Fife to face fellow stragglers Burntisland Shipyard without Ronald Fleming, who is starting a four-match ban, and the suspended Greg Young.
Vale of Leithen have Stephen Sproule missing for their Victoria Park meeting with Preston Athletic.
z Amateur outfit Winton have withdrawn from the Border League Division B after losing two managers and a number of players.
The East Lothian outfit were sitting in sixth place in the league and previous results have now been erased. Table on P26.