Perthshire Juniors

Dec 28 2012 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser

Tomorrow, the year winds up with a full fixture list of league games, weather and pitches permitting of course.

Top game in the Central League takes place at Tulloch Park with Kinnoull taking on the current Central League leaders Lochore Welfare.

They are the only two teams who haven’t lost a Central League game. Kinnoull, however, have the honour of still protecting a 100 percent record while Lochore dropped two points when they were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home by Scone Thistle earlier in the season, which was a result that was a real setback for them.

Kinnoull will be striving to go one better than the Thistle by finishing with the three points from this game and in doing so end Lochore’s unbeaten run and retain their own 100 percent record in the process.

It would also see them take a further step towards their target of winning promotion to next season’s Premier League which they will do if they finish as champions or runners up.

But it’s first things first and the priority is to collect the three points from this game. Kinnoull manager Gavin Price expects his squad to number 18 now that his skipper Chris Webster has recovered from injury. Still out with injuries are Gary Campbell and Bally Whytock.

Jeanfield Swifts are away to Armadale Thistle in the Premier League. The Thistle trail Swifts by three points in the league table but they have a game in hand. Obviously there’s little between the teams form wise.

This is Swifts fourth away league game and so far they have only brought home one point from those previous encounters. However they are settling down to life in the Premier League and it will be very interesting to see if they can

do the needful and bring home the points from their trip into the Lothians.

Steve McManus makes a welcome return after missing much of the season as he has been working away from home. The fiesty midfield player is in the Swifts squad which manager Scott Brown expects will be at full strength for tomorrow’s game.

Coronation Park is the venue for the Bankfoot-Scone Thistle derby clash in which Bankies, with home advantage, go into the game with the odds slightly in their favour. They are a point behind their visitors from a game more played.

Bankies boss Eric Fleming is quietly confident that they can take the three points from this game and if they were to do so they will leapfrog over their guests in the league table.

Bankies have no known problems and they expect to have their full squad available.

The Scone Thistle v Steelend Vics game got the go ahead last week but was abandoned at the interval with the Thistle trailing by 2-0.

Thistle felt they were playing well and would have had a good chance of pulling the game round in the second half but of course they didn’t get the opportunity to do so.

Manager Derek Keir hasn’t announced a squad for this derby clash. There were no any injuries of any note reported after last week’s 45 minute run. It’s likely that the same squad will be available.

Derek feels they can get a favourable result and stay ahead of their hosts in the table.

Luncarty have an attractive home game. They have Rosyth as the visitors to Brownlands Park. Rosyth, who are in the top half of the league table, are four points ahead of their hosts from two fewer games played.

The Bleachers’ playing squad has been strengthened considerably and they have won their last two games. It would be a real boost for their confidence if they were to make it three on the trot at Rosyth’s expense.

Manager Andy Healy hasn’t named his squad for this game.

In the North league, Blairgowrie take on Forfar West End at Davie Park. It would be a terrific result for Billy Mackay’s young squad if they were to finish with the three points as the West End have only lost one game of the eight they have played. But they have only fifteen points to their credit - the same as their hosts, due to the fact that have had six points deducted for breach of the rules.

Manager Daryl McKenzie hasn’t named his squad.

Blairgowrie expect to have a squad of seventeen. Stewart Sheed again misses out as he has still to serve the last of a three game suspension. He will be hoping that tomorrow’s game goes ahead.

Coupar Angus are away to Lochee Harp and manager Peter Ryder will make a late selection for this Beechwood encounter.

Tomorrow’s Fixtures: Premier League - Armadale Thistle v Jeanfield Swifts

Central League - Kinnoull v Lochore Welfare, Bankfoot Ath v Scone Thistle, Luncarty v Rosyth

North League - Blairgowrie v Forfar West End, Lochee Harp v Coupar Angus. Kick-offs: 1.30 pm.