Swifts slip away for crucial replay

Dec 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S fixtures are all in the respective league competitions, with one exception, Jeanfield Swifts’ Scottish Cup third round replay against Dyce at their Ian Mair Park.

Swifts were obviously disappointed at not winning this tie at the first time of asking. Manager Eddie O’Connor is quietly confident that they will still make it through to round four.

The Swifts’ boss has only one player in the doubtful category for this game.

Craig Milne picked up a knock last week but he has a good chance of getting the all clear.

All going well Swifts will travel with a squad of 18.

Blairgowrie and Kinnoull meet in the premier league at Davie Park and this has all the ingredients to make it a cracking encounter. Blair after a slow start in the premier league are now finding their feet.

Last Saturday they had an outstanding result when they thrashed Penicuik to the tune of 6–1 on their own ground.

The high flying Lothian’s side are one of the teams tipped by the pundits to be well to the fore in the race for the championship.

Jamie Duncan and Nairn Gellatly both missed last week’s game but should return tomorrow. If that’s so Billy Mackay will have a full squad of 18 available.

Kinnoull after going in at the interval in last week’s game against North End at Tulloch Park leading by 3–0 but after a lack lustre second half had to be satisfied with a share of the points.

Scott Brown will still be without Gary Sweeney for this game joining long term injury victim Mark Morrison on the sidelines. Neil McCallum is suspended after being sent off in last week’s game.

On the plus side Stuart Nicol and Iain Wilkie, who failed late fitness tests last week, are expected to get the green light to return which will also include Andre Tang and Martin Maher. It’s a late selection from Scott Brown.

Bankfoot after their excellent away win against Downfield in the Redwood Cup have Crossgates Primrose as their guests in the central league.

The Fifers are currently six points ahead of the Bankies in the league table from the same number of games played.

The Bankies are confident that if they reproduce the form that won them last week’s game the points difference between the teams could be halved.

Robin Wood wants the players to be attuned for this game after the Christmas celebrations and has called them in for a training session today.

Bankies will be without Danny Dobbie and Gavin Mackie for this game and there are doubts about Jim Weir (knee injury) and Drew Fleming (back injury).

They are likely to have late tests. It’s a late selection from Robin Wood.

Scone Thistle and Luncarty meet at the RDM Park and this is likely to be a real battle as both teams are desperately in need of points.

Scone have been on the receiving end in the last two weeks which has been disappointing.

They will be going all out to get back into the winning vein at the Bleachers expense.

Luncarty lost by the odd goal in three to East Craigie last week. The Bleachers made and missed enough chances to win the game.

Barrie Malcolm, since taking over at Brownlands Park, has steered the Bleachers away from the bottom rung of the league table where they had been anchored for so long.

Barrie is looking to take the points from tomorrow’s game and in doing so distance themselves a further step away from that position.

Scone and Luncarty haven’t named their squads for this game.

Coupar Angus after losing their Scottish tie last week are looking to bounce back with a win tomorrow in their north league game against East Craigie at Foxhall Park.

There are three Perthshire teams left in the GA Cup – Bankfoot, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus.

The draw for the third round was made this week and only Bankies got a home tie. They take on north region side Fortmartine at Coronation Park while Blairgowrie are away to Broughty Athletic. Coupar Angus travel to Aberdeen to take on Sunnybank.

Ties to be played on February 7.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the Juniors football leagues:

City Link Scottish Junior Cup third round replay – Dyce v Jeanfield Swifts.

Bukta Teamwear.com League: Premier League – Blairgowrie v Kinnoull.

North League – Coupar Angus v East Craigie.

Central League – Bankfoot Athletic v Crossgates P; Scone Thistle v Luncarty.

Kick off’s – 1.30pm.