Max Guthrie insists Stranraer must treat the visit of Broxburn Athletic as if they were playing a league fixture.
Both clubs will be out to secure their place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup ahead of the draw being made on Monday night.
As well as the financial boost from progressing, reaching the next round opens the door to the possibility of playing against teams from the top flight of Scottish football.
Guthrie, who made his senior debut on an away trip to Rangers, was looking forward to getting back on the pitch after last weekend’s game with Spartans fell victim to the weather.
He said: “You need to go into it like any other game.
“Whether it is a league game or whatever opposition from tiers below, it is 11 versus 11.
“You do not know what can happen and you go into it with the same mindset as if it was the top team in League Two.
“We are not looking too far forward but if we perform on Saturday and get what we want to get out of it, we can get good opportunities with a good draw.”
Eighteen-year-old Guthrie joined the Blues on loan at the end of August and made his debut away to Bonnyrigg Rose.
His debut came at the same time as the Scott Agnew era came to an end before Scott Robertson had a short spell in charge and then Chris Aitken took the helm.
Despite the changes, the on-loan Ayr United frontman has made a favourable impression with three goals from 11 appearances.
He told the club website he was enjoying his time at Stair Park and said: “It has been really good.
“I have enjoyed it since I have been here.
“All the boys have been really good and I am close with them, especially how short a time I have been here.
“It is good playing games and getting experience under my belt.”
Scottish Cup journey
While Stranraer enjoyed a memorable comeback victory against Threave Rovers, Broxburn Athletic have also been enjoying the Road to Hampden.
The West Lothian side started their journey in September when they overcame Dalkeith Thistle. Errol Douglas scored after 12 minutes at King’s Park but it was not until late on that the game was put to bed. Kyle Bell scored and then Douglas wrapped up his hat-trick with a stoppage time double.
In the last round, it took a Gary Brass effort to put out Auchinleck Talbot.
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 1-2 (Robertson)
- WIN v East Fife (A): 1-2 (Guthrie and Grant)
- LOSS v Elgin City (A): 1-0
- WIN v Threave Rovers (A): 2-3 (Edgar x2 and Lang)
- DRAW v Peterhead (H): 0-0
Broxburn Athletic
- LOSS v Heart of Midlothian B (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Clydebank (H): 0-4
- LOSS v Celtic B (A): 5-1 (Jones)
- WIN v Caledonian Braves (H): 1-0 (Douglas)
- WIN v Berwick Rangers (H): 3-0 (Brass x2 and Douglas)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Bonnyrigg Rose: Mutch, Robertson (Grant 65), Ross, McQueen, Ecrepont (Brindley 88), Reid, Gallagher, Russell, Hawkshaw (Dunlop 74), Guthrie (Edgar 74), Lang (Cummins 88).
Not used: McKnight, Adam and Pazikas.
Broxburn Athletic
Lineup v Heart of Midlothian B: Watt, Smith (Ellis 88), Rodden, G Page, J Page (Mwengi 85), Bell, Wardell, Jones (Brass 72), Douglas, Macleod-Kay (Locke 72), McCrory-Irving.
Not used: Thomson, Millar and Pettigrew.
Five facts
- Saturday marks the birthday of former Stranraer midfielder Mark Corcoran. He started his career in the Junior ranks and played for Tayport and Linlithgow Rose. He joined the Blues from Ross County in 2013 and featured 17 times. His only goal in a Stranraer shirt came away to Brechin City in a 1-1 draw. Saturday marks his 44th birthday.
- Not many players have lined up for both Stranraer and Broxburn Athletic but Alex Lurinsky did. He scored on his debut at Raith Rovers in August 2002, cancelling out a Brian Carrigan penalty. In total, he made 13 appearances and also found the net against Airdrie in a 2-1 defeat.
- One of the biggest games in recent memory for Broxburn Athletic came in their Scottish Cup run in 2019/20. They knocked out Tynecastle, Girvan, East Stirlingshire, Cowdenbeath and Inverurie Loco Works to set up a fourth round tie with St Mirren. The Paisley side eventually came through but it was goalless at the break. Jonathan Obika scored 10 minutes after the restart but it took goals from Danny Mullen and Obika to ensure St Mirren went through. The home side also featured Cammy McPherson, who enjoyed a loan spell at Stranraer.
- Broxburn are the first West Lothian visitors to Stair Park since Livingston travelled south in the summer of 2019. Goals from Steven Lawless and Aymen Souda before half time proved decisive for the visitors, despite Cameron Elliott pulling one back after the break.
- Ryan Edgar scored a double in the last round of the Scottish Cup for Stranraer as they overcame Threave Rovers. However, you need to go back to 2012 for the last Blues player to score a treble in the competition. Sean Winter was that man and fittingly, on the Road to Hampden, the hat-trick came at the national stadium in a 4-0 win over Queen’s Park. Chris Aitken scored the other goal. The victorious team was: Mitchell, Staunton, McKeown, Dunlop, McGregor, Winter (Agnew 80), Aitken (Rafferty 86), Gallagher, Love, Moore (Wright 72), Malcolm. Not used: Kinnaird and Cadwell.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are not valid for cup games.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Pavilion Bar
Pop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile from 1pm for a pre-match refreshment.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop off at the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Coverage
We have live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those further afield, and the manager’s interview will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch the goals after 10pm on Saturday night, along with full match footage later on Sunday.
Our usual highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday, with commentary from Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
