Johnstone Burgh welcome Albion Rovers to Keanie Park this Saturday for what will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
The Coatbridge side was formed in 1882 and joined the Scottish Football League in 1903. For 120 years, “The Wee Rovers” maintained their league membership before being relegated from League Two in 2023. The club finished 13th in the Scottish Lowland League last season.
Albion Rovers have made a disappointing start to the new Scottish Lowland League West campaign. They opened the season with a 1-0 defeat away to Cumnock Juniors at Townhead Park before suffering a 2-0 home loss to Largs Thistle at the Reigart Stadium last Saturday. Manager Steven Saunders will be hoping his side can turn their fortunes around this weekend at Keanie Park.
Those results leave Albion Rovers 15th in the table with no points from their opening two matches. They are also yet to score a goal this season.
Saturday’s trip to Keanie Park will see Rovers face a former West of Scotland Football League Premier Division side for the third successive game, having already faced Cumnock Juniors and Largs Thistle.
Rovers have added to their squad ahead of the match, with 17-year-old Scotland youth international Liam Dolan joining on loan from Partick Thistle until January. The centre-back became Thistle’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut against Livingston in the play-offs last season.
Johnstone Burgh head into the match full of confidence after an impressive start to life in the Lowland League West. Mark Durnan and Aaron Mason scored in the opening-day 2-0 victory over Troon FC at Keanie Park last Wednesday evening.
The Burgh then earned a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw away to a strong Celtic B side at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie last Saturday. Despite being reduced to 10 men late in the match, Stevie Farrell’s side battled back, with Stuart Faulds scoring a superb equaliser. The Burgh manager will be looking to make it two home wins from two on Saturday.
Burgh are eighth in the table with four points from their opening two matches and remain unbeaten going into Saturday’s game.
Aaron Mason will miss the match through suspension, while Cammy Eadie remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Johnstone Burgh v Albion Rovers takes place at Keanie Park, Johnstone, on Saturday, 8th August 2026, with kick-off at 3pm.
Admission is £12 for adults and £7 for concessions. Accompanied under-16s are admitted free, with cash or card accepted at the turnstile.