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Up for the Cup

Hawks take on Currie at Malleny Park
Well after my visit to Dublin last week it's back to plain porridge. Well that is not entirely fair. This is the first competitive Round of the National Cup for the main premier sides. A number of Glasgow sides are still in the tournament.
There are no derbies in the cup so good luck to all the sides and I look forward to them all entering the 5th round draw.

The big shock of the last round was when Ardrossan, who beat the mighty Greenock Wanderers in the Bowl last year, disposed of John Beattie's West. Perversely this will probably make West favourites for the "distaff" tournament The Shield. Vic Mackey eat your heart out...

The National Cup


Cambuslang v Edinburgh University
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Coats Park

Cambuslang and Edinburgh University have been very fortunate in the draw. Among the weakest sides won will go forward. Their one meeting in Prem 3 this season saw Cambuslang win by 15-10 away. I think they should shade it.


Prediction: Cambuslang by 7.


Currie v Glasgow Hawks
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Malleny Park

This was the shock of the round last year as Hawks attempted "double-double" fell at Malleny Park. If form holds true Hawks are stuttering a bit, although they put Hawick away last week and pulled a point further away from Sonians. I can't see Currie stopping them this time. This Hawks side are looking for a day in the sun, which the cup gives. It will be very tight however.


Prediction: Hawks by a score.


East Kilbride v Boroughmuir
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Torrance House

Torrance is a difficult ground to play particularly if wet and muddy, but Muir are a side who like this tournament. A struggling EK will do well to keep the score below 30.


Prediction: Muir by 50 points.


Ardrossan Academicals v Kelso
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Memorial Field

I'd love to see Accies-by-the-Sea win this one. I really would, for a variety of reasons, the romance of the cup, my general disapproval of Borderers and the look of consternation on JJ's face. However, it won't happen, the boys will play well and could keep it tight, but the gulf in the last 20 minutes should show.


Prediction: Kelso by 20.


Melrose v Biggar
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at The Greenyards

These two met in the league a couple of weeks at Hartreemill, I thought that Biggar would win and I was wrong. Getting knocked out of the cup may be no bad thing for Biggar if it means they concentrate on staying in Prem 1.


Prediction: Rose by 14.


Hillhead/Jordanhill v Murrayfield Wanderers
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Hughenden

Hills have a home tie to put their indifferent league form behind them and as Wanderers have all the look of a side in free fall with only two wins this season, it should be straightfroward for the home side.


Prediction: Hills by 20.


Stewart's Melville v GHA
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Inverleith Ground

Recent Stew-Mel results suggest that the Colleges have turned a corner, possibly a bit late in the league. This is particularly true when you consider how many U-21 and U-19 players they will be losing to Scotland business. They still should have enough in the tank to get through to the next round. GHA have not recovered from the loss of personnel to Ayr, Stirling, Hawks and West. They will suffer on Saturday.


Prediction: Stew Mel by 14.


Ayr v Selkirk
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Millbrae

The men from Philiphaugh tilt their lances at the fortress which is Millbrae. It will be wet, it will be muddy and Ayr will win by quite a few points. I think this is the game that Ayr have been looking forward to, if only to stretch their legs and show us their class.


Prediction: Ayr by 21.


Cartha Queens Park v Haddington
Saturday, 21st January 2006 at Dumbreck

Not only are CQP going well in Prem 2 but they got a favourable draw in the Cup which should see them enter the 5th round draw next week. They know Haddington and should be well capable of beating them. They have won both home and away in the league this season. Opening day was the last time haddington visited Cartha losing 27-3. I think it'll be the same this time.


Prediction: CQP by 20.

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Comments

This article was posted on 19-Jan-2006, 23:20 by Hugh Barrow.