Match Preview: Edinburgh University vs Ratho Athletic

Match Preview: Edinburgh University vs Ratho Athletic

🗓️ Date: Saturday, 7th December 2024

⏰ Kick-off: 1:00 pm

📍 Venue: Peffermill Playing Fields

Ratho Athletic head to Peffermill this weekend for a crucial LEAFA Premiership encounter against Edinburgh University. This match comes with an added edge, following the controversial friendly between the two sides earlier this season.

A Point to Prove

Earlier in the campaign, what should have been a league fixture was downgraded to a friendly after Edinburgh University failed to register their players on the COMET system—two months into the season! Despite Ratho’s resounding 5-1 victory in that game, an appeal to secure the points was dismissed by the LEAFA executive committee. While we’re not surprised by the decision, it only adds fuel to the fire ahead of this encounter.

Current Form

Edinburgh University currently sit 4th in the league with four wins and one defeat from their five games. Their recent form across all competitions is inconsistent (L, W, W, L, W), but they’ve shown they can be a dangerous side.

Ratho Athletic, meanwhile, are still searching for a first league win but have shown resilience in recent weeks. Despite sitting bottom of the table with three draws and two defeats, the performances have been promising, with only small errors at both ends of the pitch costing vital points. Our recent form (W, D, D, L, D) reflects the fine margins that have defined our games.

Time to Turn the Tide

Saturday offers a perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of the season so far. The squad is determined to secure that first win and start climbing the table. We’ve been playing well, and with the right focus, this could be the turning point in our campaign.

Squad News

The squad for the game is as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Danny MacKenzie, Jack Moran

• Defenders: Ryan Neilson, Dean Crane, Adam Forrest, Denis Staskewitsch, Kye Hutchison

• Midfielders:  Kevin Hamilton, Liam Gallacher, Chris Hendrie, James Higgins, Sean Higgins, James Mabon, Liam Ritchie, Monta Madjid

• Forwards: David Whelan, Ally McRitchie

A big thanks to Connor Roofing Services for sponsoring the match ball!

Match Focus

Can Ratho replicate their dominant performance from the friendly and silence the students on their own patch? Join us at Peffermill to find out. Let’s get behind the lads as they push for a crucial victory!

If you can’t make the match live goal updates will be available if you follow Ratho Athletic on the USQOR app.