Border Telegraph | Sport | Rallying call to Selkirk fans

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 24th October, 2007 11:30

Rallying call to Selkirk fans

By David Knox

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FOOTBALL chiefs in Selkirk are throwing out a plea for the town to get behind their team.

And help them into the third round of the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history.

Formidable opponents such as Alloa Athletic, Cowdenbeath, Arbroath, Clydebank and Montrose have blocked the Souters’ progress over the past few decades when they’ve reached the national competition.

But following this season’s restructuring and a kind draw the Yarrow Park side have avoided any of the big boys in the first two rounds.

And a win over Dalbeattie Star on Saturday could see Fraser Lothian’s team face some of the country’s leading clubs.

Livingston, Patrick Thistle, Clyde and Morton are amongst the teams who will go into the hat with all of Saturday’s winners.

Selkirk chairman Craig Douglas hopes a good crowd can help spur the Souters towards making history. He told the Border Telegraph: “We are closer to reaching the third round than we ever have before.

“Dalbeattie beat us on Saturday and we know they are bringing at least 100 supporters up with them. We need everyone in Selkirk to get behind us – to come down and shout the boys on – we want to be in the draw for that third round.

“A win could mean a team like Livingston or Patrick Thistle coming to Yarrow Park – this is a massive game.”

Despite avoiding league or top junior teams in the second round Selkirk still face a difficult game.

And will somehow have to reverse a 4-1 defeat by Dalbeattie from Saturday.

Manager Fraser Lothian believes his players can. He told us: “We tried a few things against Dalbeattie in the league game that simply didn’t work.

This is a different game with much higher stakes and I know we won’t be getting beat by three goals this week.

“This is a massive game and there won’t be any lack of effort from anyone to get us into the third round.

“Every players is available and I am even looking to bring in a substitute goalkeeper as back up for John Dodds.”

Lee Stephen and Craig Tyson were due to play a full bounce game last night against Kelso United on their way back from injury.

Lothian will also add Ian Potts and Andrew Brown to his cup squad – and full back Stuart Anderson is still available despite being red carded at the weekend.

Gala Fairydean don’t have quite such a glamorous weekend, but they will be hoping to topple league leaders Civil Service Strollers to continue their recent revival.

Co-boss Bryan Templeton said: “They are going well but we have home advantage and I’m looking for all three points.”

The Dean will welcome back Paul Mckay, Welsh Curran and Grant Gass to their squad but Johnny Kayser and Colin Riddell are still missing.

Selkirk’s cup clash against Dalbeattie Star kicks off at Yarrow Park at 3p.m. while Gala Fairydean’s league match at Netherdale against Civil Service Strollers starts at 2.30p.m.

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