There are 15 William Hill Scottish Cup Second Round ties taking place this Saturday afternoon with the chance to draw Championship and League One sides awaiting the winners.
We’ve picked out six interesting back-stories that will add to an already fascinating day of football:
1. A tale of two border towns…
One of two all League Two ties in the Second Round, Annan Athletic will be hoping that home advantage can reign supreme in a tantalising border clash with Berwick Rangers. Five points separate the sides in the league and Annan top the table with 10 games played. Berwick have failed to win in their last 8 visits to Galabank but reached last year’s Quarter-finals against the odds and will fancy a similar run in this year’s competition. A potential tie of the round.
2. Highlands vs Lowlands
Brora Rangers victory over Edinburgh City in last season’s League Two play-offs gave bragging rights to the Highland League, but the Lowland League now has the chance to gain some payback. There are three Highland v Lowland ties this Saturday – Inverurie Loco Works vs Edinburgh University, Edinburgh City vs Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride vs Forres Mechanics. Which league will come out on top?
3. Spartans go again
Can Spartans repeat their historic run to the Fifth Round of last year’s competition? To do so they’ll have to come through a tough tie away to League Two side Elgin City on Saturday. It’s fair to say after beating two Football League teams in last year’s run - including League One Greenock Morton - the Edinburgh side won’t fear anyone on their day.
4. Can East Fife gain revenge for 2014?
In 2014 East Fife surrendered a 2-1 first leg advantage to lose the Scottish League One play-off final to Stirling Albion. Now – in front of their home fans – the club from Methil have an opportunity to gain revenge. Stirling Albion will be out to stop that happening and reach the Third Round stages for the 11th time in a row.
5. Past winners target more Scottish Cup glory
There are a selected few in Scottish football who know what it's like to lift the oldest trophy in club football, but four of them will be managing teams in the cup on Saturday. Clyde manager Barry Ferguson won the trophy five times as a player with Rangers and captained the club to victory in 2007/08. Colin Cameron (Berwick Rangers) and Gary Naysmith (East Fife) both tasted success with Hearts in the 1998 Scottish Cup final (Cameron opened the scoring that day) while Queen’s Park manager Gus MacPherson lifted the cup with Kilmarnock a year previous.
6. University challenge
A fascinating tie at Forthbank Stadium which pitches the University of Stirling – taking part in their third-ever Scottish Cup – against ten-times winners Queen’s Park. Read the pre-match thoughts from Stirling University manager Shelley Kerr and Gus MacPherson.
William Hill Scottish Cup 2nd Round
Saturday 24 October 2015, kick-offs 3pm
Inverurie Loco Works vs Edinburgh University
Nairn County vs Wick Academy
Cumbernauld Colts vs Auchinleck Talbot
University of Stirling vs Queen's Park
Turriff United vs Fraserburgh
Edinburgh City vs Buckie Thistle
Formartine United vs Clyde
Elgin City vs Spartans
East Kilbride vs Forres Mechanics
Brora Rangers vs Arbroath
Annan Athletic vs Berwick Rangers
East Fife vs Stirling Albion
Huntly vs East Stirlingshire
Lothian Thistle HV vs Montrose
Clachnacuddin vs Linlithgow Rose
Fort William vs Cove Rangers (called off due to waterlogged pitch. To be replayed Saturday 31 October)