Opponents ride in from the west

Oct 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

KINNOULL and Jeanfield Swifts have home games in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup second round ties while Bankfoot, Blairgowrie, Luncarty and Coupar Angus have to travel to various parts of the country to face their opponents.

Kinnoull and Swifts are each engaged against teams from the west region with Kinnoull having the more difficult task.

Kinnoull’s opponents Shotts Bon Accord play in the super league division one which is equivalent in status to the premier league that Kinnoull play in, while Swifts take on Cumbernauld who are in the central league division one which is similar to the central league that Swifts are member’s of.

Kinnoull haven’t had the best preparation for this game as they have played only once in the last three weeks.

This situation no doubt prompted them to arrange a friendly against Bro’ty Athletic on Monday night which Kinnoull won 2–0.

Kinnoull’s latest signing Iain Wilkie played for an hour in this game and performed well.

Charlie Bradshaw also played for a spell with no adverse affects. Still missing are Niel McCallum (foot injury) and Jamie McKenzie (unavailable).

Scott Brown expects to have a squad of 17 or 18 available.

Shotts, who were relegated last season and have their sights set on moving back up in one season are certainly in the frame to do so.

They have lost only one of the seven league games they have played. Shotts also made it to the League Cup final in which they met Arthurlie on Monday night.

Scott Brown watched this game and while Shotts lost by 3–2, Scott said: “They are a very competent outfit and I noted a number of points of their play and will be passing them on to the players.”

Kinnoull centre half Mark Morrison who suffered a serious knee injury a couple of weeks ago underwent an operation this week.

The management team, back room staff and his team mates send him their best wishes for a successful recovery.

Jeanfield Swifts away league game against Kirkcaldy YM last Saturday ended in a 3–3 draw.

This was a good result for Swifts on the face of things as the YM are one of the central leagues leading lights.

It was however also disappointing for Swifts as they were 3–0 ahead at one point and went on to lose this substantial lead due to a double whammy of defensive frailties and failure to put away further chances that came their way.

Manager Eddie O’Connor feels that if they can reproduce the early form they displayed in that game and sustain it over the course of 90 minutes they will give themselves a very good chance of progressing to round three at Cumbernauld’s expense.

Eddie hopes to have a new signing on board.

The player concerned is a forward with senior connections are all Swifts would say about the player.

Swifts will again be understrength as Nial Cassidy has undergone an operation and Sean Fergus has an ankle injury.

Gary Brock had an operation a few weeks ago and has now resumed training but will be a while before he returns to the squad.

Gerrard Kelly has also returned to training after a knee injury and may be in the squad.

It will be a late selection from the Swifts boss.

Cumbernauld are having a disappointing season in their league so far. They are anchored at the foot of their league table without a point.

They have however fared a bit better in cup ties with a win over Royal Albert in the first round of the west of Scotland Cup which pitched them against Cumnock in round two and turned in a creditable performance only losing 3–2.

A first round tie in the Scottish saw them drawn away from home against Buchanhaven Hearts and at the interval in this game they looked to be in easy street as they were ahead by 4–1 but the game finished all square at 4–4.

Cumbernauld won the replay 6–4.

Gary McClymont would be a player to watch as he scored five goals in those games.

Brian McAndie, who appears regularly on the scoresheet, would be another to watch.

This should be an interesting cup tie.

Bankfoot and Blairgowrie also face up to teams who play in the west of Scotland region.

The Bankies are away to Kilsyth Rangers who play in their regions second top division which is super league division one.

Blairgowrie’s opponents are Thorniewood and they perform in the division below which is the Central League Division One.

Those will be tough ties for the Bankies and Blair.

Kilsyth Rangers are in a mid table position in the league with five points from five games played.

They were recently knocked out of the west of Scotland at home by Girvan who play in the same league, losing 4–1.

Rangers were Scottish Cup winners away back in seasons 1954/55 and 1966/67.

Bankies will undoubtedly go into this game as second favourites but that’s something they relish and in previous seasons they have bucked the odds.

Bankies skipper Gary Campbell has been out of action with a hamstring problem and has resumed training and may return to the squad. Barry Ward is unavailable.

Bankies boss Robin Wood hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a new signing. It will be a late selection from Robin.

Blairgowrie’s hosts Thorniewood are third from the top of the central league division one with 10 points from five games played.

They had a first round Scottish tie in which they were at home to Cruden Bay whom they thrashed to the tune of 8–0. Blair also had to surmount a first round hurdle.

They met Crossgates Primrose and the first game at Davie Park ended goalless. Blair certainly lived up to their reputation as cup fighters in the replay as they thrashed the Fifers to the tune of 5–2.

Blair boss Billy Mackay will be delighted to have more of the same in tomorrow’s tie. If Paul Ireland gets they all clear Blair will travel with a full squad.

Luncarty are guests of Haddington and its a tough one for the Bleachers as the Lothian’s side are currently topping the south league table with 10 points from six games played.

Luncarty boss Alan Williams has a host of players either injured or unavailable.

Two players Alan Bailey and Ewan Murray may have late fitness tests. It’s a late selection from Alan.

Coupar Angus travel north to take on Ellon United who play in their regions super league and are in the lower half of the table with four points from five games played.

They are through to the semifinal of the Grill League Cup after crushing Forres Thistle 7–1 in the quarterfinal.

Coupar have already been up north this season and they had an excellent win over FC Stoneywood and they are looking forward to making it a double. Coupar will be without Mark Traynor (fractured wrist), but John Blackwood has resumed training and returns to the squad which could include a new signing. It’s a late selection from Coupar.

Scone Thistle are the odd team out in as much that they are playing a league game at home to Lochore Welfare.

Thistle boss Derek Adam will still be without Mark Robertson and Scott Ballingall due to injuries and it will be late fitness tests that will decide whether or not skipper Andy Smith and Craig Jack will be given the all clear to play. It’s a late selection from manager Derek Adam.

Jeanfield Swifts have lost the services of their physio, Jenny Haggart.

Jenny, who is New Zealand bound, did her final stint at the treatment table on Tuesday night. Best wishes from everybody at the Riverside stadium go with her.

Perthshire Juniors

TOMORROW’S fixtures: Scottish Cup second round – Jeanfield Swifts v Cumbernauld; Kinnoull v Shotts Bon Accord; Ellon United v Coupar Angus; Haddington Athletic v Luncarty; Kilsyth Rangers v Bankfoot Athletic; Thorniewood United v Blairgowrie.

Central League – Scone Thistle v Lochore Welfare.

All games kick off at 2pm.