NORTH-EAST team Blackburn are not daunted by the prospect of facing Lanarkshire outfit Eddlewood, the holders, in the third round of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

The Aberdeenshire side will tackle the champions at Hamilton on November 1, following yesterday’s draw at Hampden.

Eddlewood defeated Queen’s Park in last year’s final at the national stadium, winning the prize 670 clubs had hoped for when the competition began.

Blackburn committee member Gavin England said: “We’re obviously up against it, facing the cup holders, but we will go down their with the intention of winning the match. We have a good group of players at the club and they will give it their very best shot.

“Usually teams talk about looking for a home draw in cups, but in the amateur competition an away tie at this stage is not a bad thing.

“It adds to the occasion to be going to a new ground to play a team you aren’t familiar with and we’ll be sure of a good day out.”

Eddlewood, who had three players capped by the Scotland amateur side on the back of their run to last year’s final, are also the champions of the Central Scottish League.

Gordon Smith, chief executive of the SFA, pulled their name from the hat along with Blackburn’s when he conducted the third round draw.

Smith said: “The Amateur Football Association does a great job and they ensure that the clubs are well run. That gives an opportunity to players who would otherwise be lost to the game to keep playing.

“The clubs pick up a number of youth players and give them regular organised football and that keeps the game going at grassroots level.”

There will be 128 third-round ties. Among the other fixtures involving north-east teams is Echt’s home tie against Vale of Earn and the all-Aberdeen affair featuring Hazlehead Academy and Hilton. Robert Gordon University will travel to face Kelvin, while Tarves entertain Mearns.

In Aberdeen, Lads’ Club have home advantage for their tie against St Johns, Old Aberdonians welcome Leven Thistle Juveniles, Woodside face visitors Dalry, Highland Hotel are at home to Great Western United and Bucksburn tackle Aitkenhead Thistle. The Aberdeenshire duo of Turriff and Alford will host Glasgow Graduates and Bishopton respectively.

Newslink: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/898972?UserKey=
Copyright Press & Journal