Cup Fever hits town and a trip to hell follows

City Cup that is!

Whilst Shire entertain Dundee United on Sunday in the Scottish Cup we have to make do with Border club Selkirk in the semi final tomorrow. I know very little about Selkirk so will focus on Cowden, weather permitting.

After the abomination that was Albion Rovers in the proper cup we host the 'Souters' in a match that should have been played last season. Had it been played last season or even pre-season for that matter a place in the final would have been a fantastic achievement as we were dire, but four wins on the belt end and the cup might be coming south again.

It will all depend what team the gaffer puts out, bearing in mind a trip to Cowden on Tuesday night with vital league points at stake. It is said that league points are more important 'the bread and butter' to coin the well known phrase but another trophy in the cabinet would not go amiss either. In fact had it been any other team on Tuesday then i would just say go for it and to hell with the points but a trip to hell and a return of three points would be priceless.

The rivalry with 'The Blue Brazil' over recent seasons has given us as close to a derby rival as we could hope for (although they have other more hated closer rivals) and has certainly made the announcement of fixtures anticipated. Some of the younger fans seem to think it is a rivalry only recently started but it goes way back to the late 70's early 80's when Maggie Thatcher tore the heart out of Fife closing the mines and shipyards, a fact that the Berwick supporters taunted their Fife counterparts with. Whilst it was deemed 'banter' by the Berwick fans, the Cowden support quite naturally took offence and the hatred was born.

Although during the 90's and 00's things were quiet on the terraces mainly due to the fact that Cowden were crap and we always had a sizable support, tensions were always simmering and when Cowden had a bit of success, leading to more fans following them, then the rivalry started again.

Back to Saturday and a mention that it is a 2pm kick off with the match going straight to penalties, if level after ninety minutes.

Thermals will be required for the ducket faithful as it promises to be a cauld yin.