With a free week this weekend we can reflect on the opening to the season as we now go into a run of cup games. Sitting second looks good but we should really be sitting top and with Uphall looking like strong contenders it really was 3 points lost.

On a more positive note we are up there and it is only us who can keep us there. We have been unlucky thus far with injury and the squad has been stretched to the limit. This weekends break should give everyone time to recover for the trip to Syngenta in the East of Scotland cup next week. Don't know much about them but it would be great to get a run in the second biggest cup competition we are in.

The draw for the Scottish has been made and we travel to Kingskettle in Fife to play Kingdom League side Kettle United. I personally have played there several times and Kettle have been somewhat of a fallen giant of the Kingdom league the last few seasons but they have gradually been building themselves back up and I expect a really tough game but it is definitely one we can win. The park there is excellent with a large playing area and great surface. This is also the club that former club legend Stuart Affleck was playing with when he was a Scottish amateur international and Kettle were a real force. They also had Martin Grehan who went to Motherwell and Sean Simpson who went senior as well so they have a great pedigree.

In other local cups we have been handed some tough draws with Premier 2 side Newtongrange Star A at home in the Logan Cup, Premier big hitters Edinburgh Rose at home in the Centenary Cup and Lothian East high fliers Edinburgh South Ams at home in Ian MacDonald cup. Not sure who they are but may be something to do with last seasons Premier runners up Edinburgh South Vics who have folded so another tough test there. You don't win cups without beating the best though so nothing to fear from anyone.

Well done to my vice captain Mark McEwan on getting in the LEAFA select side. Make sure you don't aggravate that injury as we need you more than they do.