Our first home game since winning the league and cup double last season is finally here, when we face new side Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in our final Central Taxis East of Scotland Qualifying League Section F tie. The Rose currently sit top of the section, by virtue of wins over Stirling Uni and Hill of Beath while the Swifts are in third, with one victory (Stirling Uni) and one defeat (HoB) and are only separated on goal difference from the Haws.

Who are Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts?

Most would testify it is a new dawn for a lot of clubs in the East of Scotland League this season given the mass migration of ex Junior teams, however the Swifts can claim that particular title on the basis of only forming in the close season. Like us, they are part of a SFA Legacy Quality Mark status community club and again, like our own CC, offer a pathway for development in both male and female football.

While they are a new side their management team are no strangers to the semi pro non league grade and their management team of Lee Richardson, John Steel and Stevie Harley have worked with a number of junior and senior clubs in the Fife area. They will be absolutely delighted with racking up their first competitive victory already so early in their first season, with a side that they have assembled from scratch. Recent results in the qualifying league groups, in particular from their neighbours Crossgates, will ensure that the Rose take nothing for granted on Saturday.

The manager will be forced to make changes this weekend as there are a few players carrying knocks following two physically tough encounters in our first two games. Avoiding a defeat tomorrow will see Bonnyrigg qualify in first position.

What's the deal with this East of Scotland Qualifying League?

There are 39 teams in the East of Scotland League. There are 10 sections in the Qualifying League; 9 sections containing 4 teams and 1 team containing 3. The winner of each of the 10 sections qualify for the first round of the Central Taxis East of Scotland League Cup, along with the best runners up from all of the sections (11 teams in total enter R1). The other runners up from the 9 sections, along with the best third place finisher from all of the sections, qualify for the preliminary round (10 teams enter the PR). They will be drawn against each other and the winners of these fixtures enter the first round.