Cup ties finally given a showing

Dec 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

JEANFIELD Swifts and Coupar Angus are much more confident that they will get their Scottish Cup third round ties played tomorrow at what will be the fourth time of asking.

Jeanfield secretary Eric Allan said in midweek: “Our pitch is playable at this point in time and if the weather continues to behave our tie with Dyce should go ahead.”

Coupar Angus co-manager Derek Grier was singing from the same hymn book as far as Foxhall Park is concerned for their tie against St Anthony’s.

The Swifts and Coupar camps were both delighted when Tuesday’s draw for the fourth round of the cup saw them get home draws. The ties are: Jeanfield Swifts or Dyce v St Rocks or Montrose Roselea; Coupar Angus or St Anthony’s v Clydebank. Those would no doubt prove to be lucrative ties but they must first get through the third round hurdles.

Swifts and Dyce had both clocked up lengthy unbeaten runs in their domestic competitions leading up to their Scottish tie so there’s nothing between them on that score.

Swifts however had a much more convincing win in the previous round of the Scottish when they thrashed Cumbernauld to the tune of 6–1, while Dyce made heavy weather of beating Brechin Vics by 2–0.

Swifts boss Eddie O’Connor has two players in the doubtful category with injuries, Mike Gow and Craig Milne. Both will have late fitness tests and it will be a late selection from Eddie.

Both Coupar Angus and St Anthony’s went on to win replays against the odds to make it to this round of the cup. Ellon United and Irvine Vics were the teams they beat.

Coupar will have a full squad of 17 available, with the return of Ian Petrie and Stephen Williamson, which boosts their chances.

Swifts and Coupar are quietly confident that they can win what should be interesting and entertaining cup ties.

Kinnoull take on North End in the premier league at Tulloch Park and there should be no pitch problems if the weather holds.

Kinnoull have slipped down into the lower reaches of the league table after a bright start and obviously the fact that they haven’t been getting games played has had its effect in this direction. If they were to win the games they have in hand they would be well into the top half of the table.

A win against North End would certainly kick start their chase after much needed points.

Manager Scott Brown will be without Gary Sweeney (knee injury) and Andre Tang (unavailable). There are doubts about two of his defenders, Stewart Nicol sustained a severe ankle knock at Monday night’s training session while Iain Wilkie who has been nursing a calf strain resumed training but had to give up as he was still feeling the injury. They will have late fitness tests and it will be a late selection from Scott Brown.

Blairgowrie are also engaged in the premier league with a trip to the Lothians to face Penicuik.

Blair haven’t had a game in the last three weeks and while they have been training hard manager Billy Mackay rightly says: “It’s no substitute for playing.”

Blair expect to be at almost full strength for this game only doubt is Nairn Gellatly. Billy Mackay expects to travel with a squad of at least 17.

This is a very tough assignment for Blair as Penicuik, who have quite a number of experienced ex senior son their staff, are at present second from the top of the table and have lost only one of the seven league games they have played. Last week they ousted Kilwinning Rangers from the Scottish Cup, so they are certainly formidable opponents.

Scone Thistle, Bankfoot and Luncarty are all engaged in the Redwood Leisure Cup preliminary round.

Tomorrow Scone Thistle entertain Kirrie Thistle at their Riverside Stadium. Last week Kirrie produced a mammoth goal splurge when they hammered Forfar Albion to the tune of 9–1.

Kirrie however are a bit of a jekyl and hide side and have lost more than half the league games they have played.

Scone boss Derek Adam while obviously very disappointed with their result last week was pleased with the players response at training. It was most positive and they are determined to come fighting back. Thistle will have Callum McKinlay back in their squad after suspension, but Mark Robertson is unavailable. Derek Adam expects to have a squad of 17 available.

Bankfoot are guests of Downfield and it’s a tough assignment for them as the Spiders are going along well and are third form the top of the north league table.

The Bankies are however quite adept at producing shock results in cup encounters. Manager Robin Wood will have to field a new goalkeeper in this game now that Darren McGarry has left for Australia. Robin hopes to have him signed up in time to make his debut in tomorrow’s game.

Bankies’ skipper Gary Campbell is again ruled out, with Barry Ward doubtful with a knee injury and John Mitchell (flu). It’s a late selection from the Bankies boss.

Luncarty are visitors to East Craigie who like themselves have recently appointed a new manager.

Luncarty boss Barrie Malcolm after last week’s win against Newburgh is keen to build on this by getting a favourable result from this Craigie Park cup clash and he is confident they will do just that.

Barrie fielded new signing, Ross Laing, in last week’s game and he had an excellent debut. Bob Nairn is the only player unavailable for tomorrow’s game. Barrie expects to have a squad of 18 available.

SATURDAY’S fixtures: City Link Scottish Junior Cup third round – Jeanfield Swifts v Dyce (kick off 1.30pm); Coupar Angus v St Anthony’s (kick off 1.45pm).

Premier League – Kinnoull v North End; Penicuik v Blairgowrie.

Redwood Leisure Cup preliminary round – Scone Thistle v Kirrie Thistle; Downfield v Bankfoot Athletic; East Craigie v Luncarty. Kick offs – 1.30pm.