WEST FIFE'S representatives in the East of Scotland League set-up look set to have their season brought to another early halt.

Crossgates Primrose and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, who both play in the Premier Division, and Oakley United and Rosyth, who are both in the First Division, have been idle since a temporary suspension came into effect in January and are no clearer as to whether they will play again this season.

The East of Scotland League have said that, unless the resumption of adult contact sport is "brought forward by a significant margin", their competition is likely to be abandoned.

A number of players from Lowland League sides – including Kelty's Nathan Austin, who has joined East Fife – have moved to clubs in SPFL League One and Two on loan as they bolster their squads for a hectic run-in of weekend and midweek matches with their seasons resuming.

However, with adult contact sport not set to resume until May 17, the East of Scotland League committee have said they will be forced to axe the campaign if that date is not brought forward.

In a statement, they said: "Following the announcement by the Scottish Government that adult contact sport cannot commence until 17 May, the board have decided that unless that date is brought forward by a significant margin in the next Scottish Government review on 6 April, 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."

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic last year, the Lowland League, and East of Scotland Premier Division and First Division, the latter of which is split into two conferences, was brought to an early conclusion, with league placings decided on a points per game basis.

Although they were declared champions, Kelty Hearts, and their Highland League counterparts, Brora Rangers, were denied the chance to play-off for the right to meet the side at the bottom of League Two, Brechin City, to determine who would take their place in that division.

Inverkeithing, who were runners-up in Conference B of the First Division last season, were promoted courtesy of a better record than the runners-up in Conference A.

So far, they have played just 10 league games and haven't been in action since a 3-1 defeat to Jeanfield Swifts on December 19, while Crossgates, who have played 11, last took to the field against Sauchie on the same day.

Rosyth, in their first season in the senior pyramid after leaving the juniors last season, have also played 11 times in Conference A, where they are sixth, but not since December 12, while Oakley, third in Conference B after playing just eight times, have been idle since November 28d.

Kelty last played on January 9, in a 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Stranraer, and have played 13 games in this season's Lowland League, who are yet to confirm the outcome for their season.