Civil Service Strollers eager to exorcise ghosts of Caledonian Braves nightmare with East Kilbride test

Civil Service Strollers boss Gary Jardine revealed his players are desperate to put a long week behind them when reigning champions East Kilbride visit the Capital tomorrow.

Sixth-placed Strollers suffered a shock 7-2 defeat to Caledonian Braves six days ago, a side two places below them in the table.

Jardine admitted his squad were deflated by the heavy loss at Alliance Park, a result that even caught him off guard.

However, the former Edinburgh City boss says the perfect response is to go out and pick up maximum points at Christie Gillies Park this weekend.

Strollers have already got the better of Kilby this season when Alieau Faye’s 88th-minute strike secured victory in August.

“After a result like last week you want to get back on the pitch and put some wrongs right as soon as possible,” Jardine explained.

“While the result was terrible, there were aspects of our game that were good and the group were more angry than down. But we have to find the right response from last week and it starts tomorrow.

“East Kilbride are a top side but are going through a bit of a transitional period. However, we'll still have to be at the top of our game to have any chance of picking up the points. We've had a lot of injury problems this season but the players have been superb in carrying on regardless.

“If they can carry out the game plan in similar fashion to what we achieved away to East Kilbride earlier in the season then I'm confident we can get back to winning ways.”

Title-chasing Bonnyrigg Rose host struggling Edinburgh University at New Dundas Park, although the students have picked up in recent weeks and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

And Spartans welcome league leaders Kelty Hearts to Ainslie Park in the weekend’s game of the day.