2022–23 East of Scotland Football League
Football league season
The 2022–23 East of Scotland Football League (known as the Central Taxis East of Scotland League for sponsorship reasons) was the 94th season of the East of Scotland Football League , and the 9th season with its top division as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system . The season began on 30 July 2022 and ended on 27 May 2023. Tranent Juniors were the reigning champions but were unable to defend their title after gaining promotion to the Lowland Football League .
After running with multiple conferences as part of its structure for the past four seasons, the league moved to four linear divisions to accommodate the 60 clubs taking part. Linlithgow Rose won the Premier Division and became the fifth East of Scotland League and former SJFA East Region club to gain promotion to the Lowland League.
Teams
The following teams changed division after the 2021–22 season.
To East of Scotland Football League
Relegated from Lowland Football League
Transferred from West of Scotland Football League
From East of Scotland Football League
Promoted to Lowland Football League
Premier Division
Football league season
East of Scotland Football League Premier DivisionSeason 2022–23 Dates 30 July 2022 – 13 May 2023 Champions Linlithgow Rose Promoted Linlithgow Rose Relegated Matches played 240 Goals scored 922 (3.84 per match) Biggest home win Linlithgow Rose 10–0 Vale of Leithen (2 August 2022)Biggest away win Vale of Leithen 0–8 Jeanfield Swifts (25 February 2023)Highest scoring Musselburgh Athletic 10–2 Vale of Leithen (4 February 2023)Longest winning run 8 matches: Linlithgow Rose Longest unbeaten run 16 matches: Linlithgow Rose Longest winless run 20 matches: Oakley United & Vale of Leithen Longest losing run 20 matches: Vale of Leithen
All statistics correct as of 13 May 2023.
The Premier Division reverted to a 16 team division, with Haddington Athletic and Oakley United promoted from First Division Conferences A and B respectively.[1] A 2–1 win for Linlithgow Rose at Haddington Athletic on 29 April 2023, gave them an unassailable eight-point lead over Sauchie Juniors with two games remaining. They were promoted to the 2023–24 Lowland Football League as neither Abbey Vale or Beith Juniors held an SFA club licence to contest the play-off.
Location of teams in
2022–23 East of Scotland Football League Premier Division
Stadia and locations
Team
Location
Home ground
Capacity
Seats
Blackburn United [SFA]
Blackburn
New Murrayfield Park[2]
1,500
0
Broxburn Athletic [SFA]
Broxburn
Albyn Park[3]
1,000
0
Crossgates Primrose
Crossgates
Humbug Park [4]
2,000
0
Dundonald Bluebell [SFA]
Cardenden
Moorside Park[5]
2,000
0
Haddington Athletic [SFA]
Haddington
Millfield Park[6]
1,500
0
Hill of Beath Hawthorn [SFA]
Hill of Beath
Keir's Park[7]
2,000
0
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts
Dalgety Bay
Dalgety Bay Sports & Leisure Centre[8]
TBC
0
Jeanfield Swifts [SFA]
Perth
Riverside Stadium[9]
1,000
0
Linlithgow Rose [SFA]
Linlithgow
Prestonfield [10]
2,264
301
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale [SFA]
Pilton , Edinburgh
Ainslie Park [a]
3,612
534
Musselburgh Athletic [SFA]
Musselburgh
Olivebank Stadium[11]
2,500
0
Oakley United
Oakley
Blairwood Park[12]
2,000
0
Penicuik Athletic [SFA]
Penicuik
Penicuik Park[13]
2,000
0
Sauchie Juniors [SFA]
Sauchie
Beechwood Park[14]
5,000
200
Tynecastle [SFA]
Slateford , Edinburgh
Meggetland Sports Complex [15]
4,388
500
Vale of Leithen [SFA]
Innerleithen
Victoria Park
1,500
0
Notes
All grounds are equipped with floodlights, except Humbug Park (Crossgates Primrose) and Blairwood Park (Oakley United).
League table
Source:
East of Scotland Football League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Oakley United deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in their 0–7 defeat against Jeanfield Swifts.
^ Vale of Leithen were given four three-point deductions: three games where they fielded an ineligible player – 1–3 defeat against Crossgates Primrose, 0–6 defeat against Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and 0–4 defeat against Hill of Beath Hawthorn – and for failing to fulfil a fixture against Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.
Results
Source:
[20] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
^ Match initially finished 4–1 to Haddington Athletic,[16] but later awarded 1–0 to Broxburn Athletic.
^ Match played at New Central Park, Kelty .[17]
^ Match played at Central Park, Cowdenbeath .[18]
^ Match initially finished 4–2 to Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale,[19] but later awarded 1–0 to Linlithgow Rose.
First Division
The First Division was made up of the four teams relegated from the Premier Division, along with those finishing 2nd to 7th in Conferences A and B.[1] The league title came down to the final day of the season, with all four promoted teams – Dunbar United , Kinnoull , Glenrothes and Luncarty – still in a position to win. The title ultimately went to Dunbar United by one point over Kinnoull, having won 2–1 over Camelon Juniors with an injury time winner by Cammy Dawson.[21]
Location of teams in
2022–23 East of Scotland Football League First Division
Stadia and locations
Team
Location
Home ground
Capacity
Seats
Floodlit
Burntisland Shipyard [SFA]
Burntisland
Recreation Park[22]
1,000
0
Yes
Camelon Juniors [SFA]
Camelon
Carmuirs Park[23]
2,000
0
Yes
Coldstream [SFA]
Coldstream
Home Park[24]
1,000
0
Yes
Dunbar United [SFA]
Dunbar
New Countess Park[25]
1,200
191
Yes
Dunipace [SFA]
Denny
Westfield Park[26]
2,000
0
Yes
Glenrothes
Glenrothes
Warout Stadium [27]
5,000
730
No
Kennoway Star Hearts
Star
Treaton Park
1,000
0
Yes
Kinnoull
Perth
Tulloch Park[28]
1,200
0
Yes
Kirkcaldy & Dysart
Kirkcaldy
Denfield Park[8]
1,200
0
No
Leith Athletic
Edinburgh
Meadowbank Stadium [a] [29]
499
499
Yes
Lochore Welfare
Crosshill
Central Park
1,300
0
No
Luncarty
Luncarty
Brownlands Park
1,200
0
No
Newtongrange Star [SFA]
Newtongrange
New Victoria Park[30]
2,300
30
Yes
Preston Athletic [SFA]
Prestonpans
Pennypit Park [31]
1,500
313
Yes
Rosyth
Rosyth
Fleet Grounds
400
0
Yes
Whitehill Welfare [SFA]
Rosewell
Ferguson Park[32]
2,614
192
Yes
Notes
League table
Source:
East of Scotland Football League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Burntisland Shipyard deducted 3 points for failing to fulfil a fixture on 24 September against Kirkcaldy & Dysart.[33]
Results
Source:
[20] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
Second Division
The Second Division consists of the remaining clubs finishing 8th to 15th in Conferences A and B, plus Whitburn and Syngenta who were promoted from Conference X.[1] Whitburn won the league title for their second consecutive promotion, winning the division by nine points.
Location of teams in
2022–23 East of Scotland Football League Second Division
Stadia and locations
Team
Location
Home ground
Capacity
Seats
Floodlit
Arniston Rangers
Gorebridge
Newbyres Park[36]
3,000
0
No
Craigroyston
Warriston, Edinburgh
St Mark's Park[37]
2,000
0
No
Dalkeith Thistle [SFA]
Dalkeith
King's Park[38]
2,000
0
Yes
Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare [SFA]
Easthouses
Newbattle Complex[39]
1,500
100
Yes
Edinburgh South
Colinton, Edinburgh
Paties Road Stadium[a]
2,500
200
No
Edinburgh United
Colinton, Edinburgh
Paties Road Stadium[40]
2,500
200
No
Hawick Royal Albert [SFA]
Hawick
Albert Park [41]
1,000
500
Yes
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton, Edinburgh
John Brydson Arena[42]
250
195
Yes
Lochgelly Albert
Lochgelly
Gardiners Park
3,200
0
No
Newburgh
Newburgh
East Shore Park
1,000
0
No
Ormiston Primrose
Ormiston
New Recreation Park[43]
1,000
0
No
Peebles Rovers
Peebles
Whitestone Park [44]
2,250
250
No
Stirling University Reserves
Stirling
Gannochy Sports Centre[45]
1,000
0
Yes
St Andrews United [SFA]
St Andrews
Recreation Park[46]
766
0
Yes
Syngenta [SFA]
Stenhousemuir
Ochilview Park [b]
3,746
626
Yes
Thornton Hibs
Thornton
Memorial Park
1,800
0
No
Tweedmouth Rangers
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Old Shielfield[47]
1,000
0
No
Whitburn
Whitburn
Central Park[48]
3,000
38
No
Notes
League table
Source:
East of Scotland Football League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Stirling University deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in their 1–2 defeat against Tweedmouth Rangers.
^ Edinburgh United deducted 2 points for fielding an ineligible player in their game against Newburgh – originally a 0–0 draw, the game was awarded 1–0 to Newburgh. Edinburgh United also deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in their 1–5 defeat against St Andrews United.
^ Craigroyston deducted 6 points for fielding an ineligible player in their 1–3 defeats against St Andrews United and Whitburn.
Results
Source:
[20] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
^ Match played at Albyn Park, Broxburn .[50]
^ Match initially finished 0–0,[51] but match later awarded to Newburgh.
^ Match played at Volunteer Park.[52]
^ Match played indoors at Oriam .[53]
^ Match played at Newbyres Park, Gorebridge .[54]
Third Division
The Third Division featured the remaining nine clubs from Conference X, along with Harthill Royal who joined from the West of Scotland League.[1] Bo'ness Athletic dropped only 7 points all season, as they won the division by 28 points from their closest challengers, Armadale Thistle .
Location of teams in
2022–23 East of Scotland Football League Third Division
Location of teams in
2022–23 East of Scotland Football League Third Division within West Lothian
Stadia and locations
Notes
League table
^ Livingston United deducted 6 points for fielding ineligible players in their 0–5 defeat against Harthill Royal, and in their 0–6 defeat against Edinburgh College.
Results
Source:
[20] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
Notes
SFA Club with an SFA licence[70] eligible to participate in the Lowland League promotion play-off should they win the Premier Division.
References
^ a b c d @EastScotlandFA (June 28, 2022). "Key league structure facts for the 2022–23 campaign ahead" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ "Blackburn United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Broxburn Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Crossgates Primrose" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Dundonald Bluebell" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Haddington Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Hill of Beath Hawthorn" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ a b "Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Jeanfield Swifts" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Linlithgow Rose" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Musselburgh Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Oakley United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Penicuik Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Sauchie Juniors" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Tynecastle" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Broxburn Athletic v Haddington Athletic" . Broxburn Athletic F.C. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023 .
^ Dundonald Bluebell FC [@DBJC1938] (31 March 2023). "CHANGE OF VENUE Our match tomorrow against @JeanfieldSFC will now be played at Kelty Hearts ground - New Central Park! #BlueBell 🔵🔔" (Tweet ). Retrieved 1 April 2023 – via Twitter .
^ Cowdenbeath FC [@CowdenbeathFC] (27 March 2023). "Central Park will host @hawshob v @MusselburghAth in the EOS Premier Division on Wednesday 29th March. Gates are at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm kick off with the Andy Matthew Lounge in the stand open for both sets of fans to enjoy a refreshment before the game" (Tweet ). Retrieved 29 March 2023 – via Twitter .
^ Thomson, Scott (8 December 2022). " "Disrespectful": Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale boss Ryan Harding delivers Linlithgow Rose verdict after shock win" . Edinburgh Evening News . National World . Retrieved 16 December 2022 .
^ a b c d "East of Scotland Football League Season 2022–23 Fixture List" (PDF) . East of Scotland FA. Retrieved 8 July 2022 .
^ Ritchie, Cameron (27 May 2023). "Football: Dunbar United champions after injury time strike" . East Lothian Courier . Newsquest . Retrieved 27 May 2023 .
^ "Burntisland Shipyard" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Camelon Juniors" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Coldstream" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Dunbar United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Dunipace" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Glenrothes" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Kinnoull" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Leith Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Newtongrange Star" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Preston Athletic" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Whitehill Welfare" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Burntisland Shipyard 0–0 Glenrothes: Shipyard draw in wake of points deduction for failing to fulfil K & D fixture" . Fife Free Press . National World . 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022 .
^ Buchanan, Jill (20 May 2023). "Dunipace FC pitch set alight as vandals target Denny area overnight" . Falkirk Herald . National World . Retrieved 20 May 2023 .
^ Kirkcaldy & Dysart FC [@TheYM_] (11 March 2023). "Game Day - Another big three points to be won today against Glenrothes as we head to Methil to beat the weather on the Astro at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, kickoff 1 pm 🔴⚫️🔴" (Tweet ). Retrieved 11 March 2023 – via Twitter .
^ "Arniston Rangers" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Craigroyston" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Dalkeith Thistle" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Easthouses Lily MW" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Edinburgh United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Hawick Royal Albert" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Heriot-Watt Uni" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Ormiston" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Peebles Rovers" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Stirling University Reserves" . Non League Scotland . Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "St Andrews United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Tweedmouth Rangers" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Whitburn" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ Grimwood, Jez (17 March 2023). "Syngenta FC" . Newburgh F.C. Retrieved 17 March 2023 . The League table has now been rectified with all Syngenta's results now expunged and the points/goals for all clubs that have played the club now adjusted accordingly.
^ Craigroyston F.C. [@CraigroystonFC] (27 January 2023). "Craigroyston 🆚 University of Stirling will be played from Albyn Park (Broxburn) tomorrow instead of St Marks Park. FREE entry at the gate" (Tweet ). Retrieved 28 January 2023 – via Twitter .
^ 𝙴𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚐𝚑 𝚄𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙵𝙲 [@EdinburghUnited] (17 September 2022). "FT 0–0" (Tweet ). Retrieved 21 October 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Hawick Royal Albert FC [@HawickRA] (13 January 2023). "📣 | Saturday's Football 🏆 | East of Scotland League ⚽️ | Edinburgh South FC 📈 | League Position: 11th ⏱️ | 2.30pm 🏟️ | Volunteer Park 3G, Hawick 🎟️ | Adults £6 – Concessions £4 – U16s free" (Tweet ). Retrieved 14 January 2023 – via Twitter .
^ Lochgelly Albert FC [@LochgellyAlbert] (16 December 2022). "Tomorrow's match with Heriot Watt will go ahead on the indoor pitch at the Oriam. Please note that the kick-off has been switched to 14.00 to accommodate 👍🏻" (Tweet ). Retrieved 17 December 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Easthouses Lily M.W.F.C 🔴⚫️⚪️ [@EasthousesLily] (24 February 2023). "Tomorrow we play @StirlingUniFC at Newbyres Park home of Arniston Rangers. KO - 1430" (Tweet ). Retrieved 25 February 2023 – via Twitter .
^ "Armadale Thistle" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Bathgate Thistle" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Bo'ness United Junior" . Non League Scotland . Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Fauldhouse United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Livingston United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Pumpherston" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "Stoneyburn" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ "West Calder United" . Non League Scotland . Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^ Carson, Callum (28 July 2022). "West Lothian's East of Scotland clubs get ready for start of new season" . Daily Record . Reach plc . Retrieved 30 July 2022 . Three such fixtures take place on Saturday as promotion favourites Armadale Thistle play Fauldhouse United. That match is taking place at Bathgate's Creamery Park while groundwork is yet to be completed at Volunteer Park.
^ Armadale Thistle F.C. [@thistle_c] (19 September 2022). "Saturdays [sic] league match . Our old friends return " (Tweet ). Retrieved 24 September 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Armadale Thistle F.C. [@thistle_c] (31 August 2022). "Next Match .. SATURDAYS [sic] BIG GAME .. " (Tweet ). Retrieved 3 September 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Armadale Thistle F.C. [@thistle_c] (30 August 2022). "Tonights [sic] game . 6.30 kick off" (Tweet ). Retrieved 30 August 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Bo'ness Athletic FC [@BonessAthletic] (28 April 2023). "Game. Day. #Athletic *Rescheduled from Sunday. Please note tonight's match will be played at Albyn Park, Broxburn" (Tweet ). Retrieved 28 April 2023 – via Twitter .
^
^ "Fauldhouse United FC 3–2 West Calder United FC. Final Score" . Fauldhouse United F.C. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022 .
^ "Licensed Clubs – June 2022" (PDF) . Retrieved 2 August 2022 .
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