Bauld's Bankies repeat bid: Tranent skipper eyes Scottish Cup glory

Tranent captain Euan Bauld is hoping lightening strikes twice when the Lowland League East leaders head west on Scottish Cup second-round duty this weekend.

The Foresters Park men go toe-to-toe with Lowland League West rivals Clydebank, aiming to inflict a second defeat on the hosts having registered a 2-1 victory at Holm Park in February earlier this year.

Success that day delivered three league points, but Bauld would more than settle for a repeat on the banks of the River Clyde.

Both teams have come flying out of the traps since the season got underway in July, Tranent sitting top of the East division having amassed 26 points from a possible 33 and undefeated in 11 up until last weekend's surprise 4-0 loss to Lochee United.

Clydebank, meanwhile, are sitting third in the West section, seven points adrift of leaders Kilwinning Rangers, who have played two games more.

The Bankies also finished top of the group section of the KDM Evolution Trophy and will face League One Alloa at home in the last 32 of the competition early next month.

Bauld believes tomorrow's clash is an ideal opportunity to take a breather from the pressure pot of league football, while also making amends for a desperately disappointing loss - their first this season - against Lochee six days ago.

"If you'd said at the start of the season we'd be in the position we're in at the moment, we'd absolutely take it," the 29-year-old said. "Last weekend was our first league defeat of the season so we were unbeaten in our first 11 games. The last couple of weeks we haven't performed to the levels we know we can, which is obviously a frustration. But you're going to lose games during the course of a season, it's inevitable. Very few teams, at all levels of football, go through an entire campaign without losing a game.

"It's now about how we bounce back. We've trained really well this week so it's about us going into this game looking to correct what went wrong. Saturday can't come quick enough for us.

"When you're on top you are expected to win. There's a different level of pressure and psychological aspect to matches. We did some video analysis on Tuesday, which was needed I think. When you go on an unbeaten run, you find yourself in a rhythm, playing the same way, and winning. It can be hard to maintain the motivation and intensity levels when everything is going right, so it can be easier if you are chasing someone down.

"But there's no easy games, cup or league, wherever you go, Scottish football is tough - it's physical, intense and that's even when you're playing teams lower down the pyramid. We treat every game and opposition differently so it's one game at a time. I think Saturday will be good for us as it takes the focus away from the league."

Tranent progressed to the third round of the Scottish Cup last season before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to then League One - now Championship - outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle in East Lothian. Bauld recalls the unity of the local community and how that support so nearly inspired he and his team-mates to a famous victory over the Highlanders. He is desperate to experience more special occasions in this competition but won't overlook the formidable challenge Clydebank presents for Robbie Horn's squad.

"Just looking back to last year when we had Inverness, the support we had from the community was magic," Bauld explained. "We've also played Forfar too during my time at Tranent. The Scottish Cup just has a different feel about it. You want to get into the rounds where there is a potential to get that glamour tie. Watching the draw there is that anticipation of being drawn away to a higher-ranked team.

"When I was a young lad at Berwick, I was on the bench when we played Hibs at Easter Road in the quarter-finals in 2015. I'd actually been released by Hibs the year before, when the club were relegated, and I ended up at Berwick in League Two. So, that was kind of my first experience of the Scottish Cup. It was live on Sky, so even just to be involved was brilliant. But I would have loved to have got on the pitch that day.

"Listen Clydebank are a top side. They finished top of the group in the KDM Evolution Trophy and that's including League One and Two clubs. They've beaten higher league opposition consistently so we know we're up against a very strong team.

"But we beat them there earlier this year in the league and although we can expect a completely different game, we have to focus on ourselves and go through there with belief that we can win the tie and get into the next round.

"We're anticipating a big crowd. Every player wants to play in front of fans - it adds to the atmosphere and you get that added buzz when you're out there. Hopefully we can take a few supporters through and we can keep the home fans quiet on the day.

"When the tie came out the hat, we felt it would be a good fit for the TV. So we thought there was a chance it might have been picked, which would have just added to the occasion. We would have loved to have been on the TV, but we just need to focus on getting through and here's hoping we can get that chance in the next round."