Good signs for derby kick-off

Jan 9 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THERE are encouraging signs there could be a return to action tomorrow although predictions from around the grounds are of guarded optimism.

The RDM pitch is the venue for the Central League derby clash between Scone Thistle and Jeanfield Swifts.

Thistle will obviously go into this game as second favourites as they are well behind Swifts in the league table.

Thistle are fourth from the bottom while Swifts are fourth from the top. They have eight points more than their hosts from two fewer games played.

Thistle after being on the receiving end in a couple of their recent games bounced back with a convincing win over Luncarty.

Jeanfield are desperately keen to get back into the winning vein after their bitter disappointment of losing their Scottish Cup third round replay to Dyce. However more importantly for Swifts is that they should cast this aside and finish with the three valuable points from this game.

Bankfoot and Luncarty have home ties in the central league. Bankfoot have Newburgh as their guests and there’s little between the teams.

The Fifers are two points ahead of the Bankies in the league table but they have played two more games.

Bankies could do themselves a good turn by taking the three points from this game as it could possibly lift them two places up the table and they are quietly confident they can do that.

Bankies won’t have a full squad available as striker Barry Ward is suspended and they have three players in the doubtful category – Jim Weir (knee injury), Scott McCabe and Gavin McLeod (flu).

Bankies expect to have two trialists in their squad. It will be a late selection from manager Robin Wood.

Luncarty are hosts to Steelend Vics and this is a real bottom of the table clash.

The positions of the teams in the league table at the present time is that the Bleachers are in the second from the bottom spot, thanks to being two points better off than the Vics who have a game in hand.

The Bleachers if they take the three points from this game would give themselves a bit of breathing space with a five point lead over the Fifers but a defeat would obviously see the positions in the table reversed. This Brownlands Park clash will no doubt be quite a battle for the three valuable points.

Luncarty manager Barrie Malcolm expects to have a new signing in his squad but he would give no clue as to who the player is or to the position he plays in.

Alan Bailey will miss the game as he is on holiday and there’s a doubt about Dougie Jay (thigh injury). Barrie Malcolm expects to have a squad of 17 or 18 available.

Steelend are still without a win in the league but they have strengthened their squad with two singings.

Midfield player Neil Ravenscroft has joined them from Lochore Welfare and striker Alan Kirkwood has rejoined them after a spell with Sauchie. Manager Paul Glancey is expecting to travel to Brownlands Park with a full strength squad to choose from.

Kinnoull and Blairgowrie are engaged in the premier league. Kinnoull are away to Dundonald while Blair have Ballingry as their guests at Davie Park.

Blair are in the second from the bottom place in the league table at the present time and are very much in the danger zone as far as relegation is concerned.

Blair have seven points to their credit and four of those were taken from games against two of the leagues top sides Carnoustie and Penicuik. Those results would appear to indicate that they have the ability to pull themselves up the table and away from the drop zone.

Only player missing for manager Billy Mackay is forward Jamie Duncan (suspended).

Ballingry after a sticky patch got back on to the winning track with a Scottish Cup third round win over super league side Bonnyrigg Rose.

Ballingry expect to be pretty much at full strength for their trip to Davie Park with only leading goalscorer Craig Smart out with an injury.

Kinnoull are away to Dundonald and form wise they are the stronger side as far as league games are concerned.

Kinnoull are three points better off than their hosts from two fewer games played and they are quietly confident that they can stretch this lead by coming home with the three points.

Only player’s missing from the squad are long term injury victim Mark Morrison and Gary Sweeney (knee injury).

Gary has resumed training but Scott Brown says the striker is still a week or two away from making a comeback to the squad. Scott expects to have a squad of 16 available.

Dundonald’s recently appointed manager Colin Downie has been on a signing spree and has strengthened his squad with an intake of three players but key defender Kevin Bain is unavailable for this game.

Coupar Angus have a very attractive north league fixture, they take on Violet at Foxhall Park.

The Pansies are one of the leading contenders in the championship race but when Coupar met them in the corresponding fixture at Glenesk Park the game finished all square at 1–1 with the Pansies getting a very late equaliser.

Coupar however are confident that they can take their revenge by finishing on the winning side tomorrow.

Mark Traynor, who has been out of action for three months with a fractured wrist, has been back training for some weeks and has been given the all clear to resume activities. Mark is in the squad of 17 for tomorrow’s game.

Coupar co-boss Derek Grier said: “This is the first time we have been at full strength for at least three months and it will be great if we celebrate with a win.”

Perthshire Juniors

TOMORROW’S fixtures:

Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues: Premier League – Blairgowrie v Ballingry R; Dundonald B v Kinnoull.

Central League – Scone Thistle v Jeanfield Swifts; Bankfoot v Newburgh; Luncarty v Steelend Vics.

North League – Coupar Angus v Violet.

All kick off’s – 1.45pm.