East of Scotland Football League sets return deadline

The league is running out of time to reschedule and play its remaining fixtures and this week sent the clearest message yet that it i s now ready to scrap the campaign.

Glenrothes , Kennoway Star Hearts and Thornton Hibs have all been hit by an enforced lay-off after the game was suspended below Championship level in January following rising Covid-19 infection rates.

Though the top women’s division, as well as League One and League Two, were given the green light to resume last month, there’s been no mention of any pathway back for the EoSFL.

The east region’s junior set-up this week announced that it had abandoned its season, and the EoSFL is now prepared to do likewise.

A statement released this week said that, unless lockdown restrictions a re lifted quicker than currently scheduled, a decision would need to be taken to cancel the campaign.

The league said: “Following the announcement by the Scottish Government that adult contact sport cannot commence until May 17, the board have decided that, unless that date is brought forward by a significant margin in the next Scottish Government review on April 6, we will in all likelihood have no other choice than to abandon this season's league.

"A final decision will be made by the board later that week.”

The move will come as no surprise to our EoSFL clubs, who have now been on the sidelines for months.

It remains disappointing, though, with all three performing well in their respective divisions.

Before the suspension, Kennoway Star Hearts were sitting third in first d ivision c onference A, winning six games out of eight played and losing only two.

In the same division, Thornton Hibs were also performing well and had five wins under their belts from nine games played, drawing one and losing three.

Glenrothes play their football in f irst d ivision c onference B.

The side, co-managed by John Martin and Kevin Smith, have played just eight games of the current season.

They have won three, drawn two and lost three,