Updated: Linton Hotspur on road in round one of next football season’s Alex Jack Cup

Hotspur are away to fellow EoSFL division two team Harthill Royal in West Lothian.

A further away tie awaits against EoSFL first division opposition if the West Linton club make it through to round two, at Leith Athletic or Heriot-Watt University.

Hotspur’s last game against Harthill was also in the Alex Jack Cup, winning 2-1 at home in round two last August, thanks to goals from Ty McLean and William White.

That followed three EoSFL division three meetings the season before, all defeats – by 3-0 at home in May 2024 and 3-2 and 5-0 away that March and in November 2023 respectively – ahead of Harthill’s promotion last year.

Dates have yet to be set for this year’s first and second-round ties but last year’s were played in August, with round three following the month after.

Hotspur were the Borders’ last men standing last time round, going out 2-0 away to EoSFL division one’s Edinburgh South in round three at the end of September after knocking out Harthill in round two and edging out Arniston by 1-0 away in round one.

Peebles Rovers made it to round two, losing 2-0 away to EoSFL division one’s Lochore Welfare after beating Lochgelly Albert, in EoSFL division three at the time, by 3-1 at home in round one.

The cup’s current holders are EoSFL premier division side Whitburn after beating division one’s Kirkcaldy and Dysart 1-0 in December’s final in Rosewell in Midlothian.

Peebles were drawn at home to EoSFL division two’s Arniston Rangers at Whitestone Park in round one and, if they got past them, EoSFL premier division outfit Glenrothes in round two but they’ve since pulled out of all competitions pending finding a new home ground compliant with league rules.

They last met Midlothian’s Arniston in March last year, losing 3-2 at home in round one of the East of Scotland Football League Cup.

They also played them twice in division two during the preceding season, losing 2-0 at home in May 2023 and 3-1 away in August 2022.