EK Thistle caretaker manager Alan Paterson says his side's season in the WOSFL Conference C won't be 'judged' on games against the likes of Petershill.
The 12th-placed Jags' match with Yoker Athletic was called off on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch and they now face Petershill tonight before meeting Larkhall Thistle on Saturday.
Thistle were due to play Petershill last month before a Covid outbreak postponed the game. Paterson doesn't think many will hold high expectations for his team.
"I don't think our season will be judged on games against teams like Petershill," he said.
"I know their manager, Martin Lauchlan, really well.
"They took a year out last year so they have had a lot of time to prepare for this season.
"We have played Drumchapel United and Kilsyth Rangers who are two of the favourites for the league and gave a good account of ourselves. Nobody is expecting us to win these games."
Thistle have used the astroturf facilities at Lowland League East Kilbride's K-Park, so Paterson's team are confident heading to Petershill's artificial surface.
Paterson also has some injury concerns ahead of the match but he hopes those will be eased come kick-off, as fourth-placed Petershill will provide a stern challenge.
"It's on the astroturf and our boys are used to playing on that surface," he added.
"I know Petershill will be very strong but I am hoping that we can get a couple of boys back from injury. Then we will hopefully be strong as well."
Meanwhile, Paterson believes the decision to call off Saturday's home match with Yoker Athletic was the right one.
The Showpark side have as many as four games in hand in the WOSFL Conference C after the Yoker match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
He added: "The park actually held up quite well on Saturday. It was just that last bit that had water on the surface. It probably would have drained away but with the forecast for rain, I don't think it would have been a great spectacle.
"The referee did the sensible thing. The surrounding areas were flooded as well so it was non-stop. Then there was the predicted forecast. It was called off about 1pm but the referee probably made the right decision in the end.
"We were there and ready to go, so it was disappointing for it to be called off so late on. It didn't stop raining until about 3pm and in the end it was the right call."
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