Football: Amateur sides continue to progress in the Smith League Cup

Aug 24 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LETHAM appear to be odds on to win Section One of the Smith League Cup following a comfortable 4-1 victory over Vale of Atholl on Saturday.

Breadalbane’s weekend encounter with Comrie was goalless going into the break, as both defences were firmly on top.

The second half looked destined for the same fate until McLean latched onto a through ball and slotted the home to give the west Perthshire side the lead.

Breadalbane applied a great deal of pressure for the equaliser, but ‘keeper Stevenson was unbeatable and a spectacular one-handed save prevented the draw.

Comrie could now claim top honours in Section Two, if they defeat Roselea next week – who edged Letham Lads by the odd goal in three last week.

Potter was the star man for Craigie in Section Three, becoming the first player this season to notch at hat-trick, against Newtyle.

While, in Section Four, the tables were turned on Strathearn Grove as – after securing a point with a late equaliser against Alyth the previous week – Wolfhill’s Brown gave them a taste of their own medicine.

Burrelton Rovers remain favourites for the shortened Section Five crown after a six-goal demolition of rivals Vale of Earn.

League organisers have asked PA Sport to thank Mr Dunbar for stepping in at such short notice.

Meanwhile, with ten minutes remaining in their tie, Perth side St John’s had the section wrapped-up, only to lose two late goals and allowing Fairfield to boost their play-off hopes.

Coupar Angus can tie up the final section if they take full points from Jeanfield Swifts. The east Perthshire outfit shocked Auchterarder at home by the odd goal in five, while the Swifts notched the same score at Kettins on Saturday.

THURSDAY’S results (August 17): League Division One – Ballinluig 2 Breadalbane 0, Alyth 3 Balmoral Utd 3, Burrelton Rovers 1 Roselea 3, Auchterarder Primrose 1 Vale of Earn 3, Craigie 0 St John’s 6.

Division Two – Tay Thistle 1 Letham Lads 2, Coupar Angus 3 Letham 2, Bridgeton Utd 0 Vale of Atholl 1, Jeanfield Swifts 1 Comrie Rovers 3, Wolfhill 1 Bridge of Earn 1, Fairfield 3 Rattray 2.

Division Three – Meigle Vics 1 Newtyle Hearts 4, Star of Atholl 3 Strathearn Grove 1, Glenfarg Utd 2 Kinrossie/Caledonian 3, Methven 2 Kenmore 1:

SATURDAY’S results in the Smith League Cup (August 21): Section One – Rattray 4 Star of Atholl 0, Letham 4 Vale of Atholl 1.

Section Two – Roselea 2 Letham Lads 1, Breadalbane 0 Comrie Rovers 1.

Section Three – Craigie 5 Newtyle Hearts 2.

Section Four – Strathearn Grove 2 Wolfhill 2, Alyth (w/o) Glenfarg Utd (fttu).

Section Five – Burrelton Rovers 6 Vale of Earn 1.

Section Six – Tay Thistle 7 Kenmore 3, Fairfield 3 St John’s 3.

Section Seven – Methven 0 Bridge Of Earn 3, Kinrossie 0 Ballinluig 3.

Section Eight – Auchterarder Primrose 2 Coupar Angus 3, Kettins 2 Jeanfield Swifts 3.

TONIGHT’S fixtures (August 24), kick-offs 6.30pm: Division One – Breadalbane v Craigie (D McCorquendale), Roselea v St John’s (D Brydie), Balmoral Utd v Ballinluig (J Richardson), Vale of Earn v Burrelton Rovers (K Shaw), Alyth v Auchterarder Primrose (K Stewart).

Division Two – Letham v Jeanfield Swifts (N Fraser).

THURSDAY’S fixtures (August 26):Division Two – Letham Lads v Bridgeton Utd (B Reid), Wolfhill v Tay Thistle (R McDougall), Rattray v Coupar Angus (J Hunter), Vale Of Atholl v Fairfield (S Robertson), Comrie Rovers v Bridge of Earn (P Lynch).

Division Three – Newtyle Hearts v Kinrossie/Caledonian (M Sharpe), Glenfarg Utd v Methven (E McIntosh), Kettins v Meigle Vics (P Stevenson), Strathearn Grove v Kenmore (G Graham).

Star of Atholl have no game.

SATURDAY’S fixtures in the Smith League Cup (August 28), all kick-offs 3pm: Section One – Star of Atholl v Letham (D Brydie), Rattray v Vale of Atholl (J Richardson).

Section Two – Letham Lads v Breadalbane (J Hunter), Comrie Rovers v Roselea (K Shaw).

Section Three – Newtyle Hearts v Meigle Vics (E McIntosh), Craigie v Bridgeton Utd (K Barclay).

Section Four – Wolfhill v Alyth (N Fraser), Glenfarg Utd v Strathearn Grove (R McDougall).

Section Five – Vale of Earn v Balmoral Utd (P Lynch).

Section Six – St John’s v Kenmore (W Grieve), Fairfield v Tay Thistle (B Reid).

Section Seven – Methven v Kinrossie/Caledonian (S Robertson), Ballinluig v Bridge Of Earn (P Stevenson).

Section Eight – Jeanfield Swifts v Coupar Angus (K Stewart).

Division One – Auchterarder Primrose v Burrelton Rovers (G Graham).

Kettins have a free day.