Published: Wednesday, 22nd October, 2008 9:00am

Road to Hampden continues for Selkirk

by Ally McGilvray

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SELKIRK have stars in their eyes as Scottish Cup fever grips the town this week.

The Yarrow Park side tackle East of Scotland League Premier Division leaders Dalbeattie Star in the second round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

And the winners will be put in the hat alongside some of the biggest names in football, including Celtic and Rangers, for the third round draw that follows, as well as netting around £6000 in prize money.

However, captain John Waldie is likely to miss the match after struggling to shake off an ankle injury suffered in the first round clash with Coldstream, which went all the way to a replay and penalties, and influential midfielder Michael Mair is suspended after being red carded last weekend.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Selkirk boss Paul Brownlee said: 'It is a big blow if they are out.

'John (Waldie) is the captain of the team but he is doubtful. We have got quite a young back four and his experience at centre-half has helped.'

But he added: 'We will see how he is at training this week and give him every chance to get fit.'

With the game coming too soon for Ryan Pritchard, who is also recovering from an ankle injury, Brownlee is preparing to sign former Vale of Leithen defender Colin Smith for the cup tie.

He missed his side"s defeat to Easthouses Lily in the South Regional Cup to spy on Star, who lost 5-4 on penalties to Spartans after holding them to a 0-0 draw in the competition.

Brownlee said: 'It will be a hard game but it is a cup game and anything can happen – we"ll go down there and give it our best shot.'

A bus-load of supporters are planning to set off on the 140-mile round-trip to Dalbeattie"s Islecroft Stadium to cheer on the team on Saturday. For seat availability contact Alan Skeldon on 07976989825.

Elsewhere, in Division One, Gala Fairydean will be aiming to bounce back from a shock defeat away to Ormiston when they tackle Leith Athletic.

The home team should have a full squad to choose from, with the exception of Paul Hossack following his red card.

The visitors, meanwhile, lost out by the odd goal in three away to Tynecastle.

Gala Fairydean co-manager Bryan Templeton said: 'We should be taking full points off the teams below us – we have to if we are to mount a serious (title) challenge this season.

'Otherwise there"s no point in beating the teams around us because we are just undoing our good work, which is sad because the boys have being doing really well.'