Perthshire Amateurs back to full programme

Jan 16 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S back to a full domestic programme tomorrow – and several cup games catch the eye.

Methven host Kinrossie in the Ashleigh Cup first round and are hopeful this may go ahead at the third attempt.

On second round duty, Errol and St John’s go head to head at Murray Park with a hint of David versus Goliath, with the rest of the association sandwiched between them.

The game of the day has Roselea travelling the short hop to Seven Acres to face their fierce rivals Letham, current holders of the Ashleigh Cup.

Last year’s beaten finalists Ballinluig will hope to go one better after starting with a home win over Gateway. Balmoral are looking for a good start to 2009 and are confident it will start with a win over Star, while Stanley will check their credentials at home to high-scoring Vale of Earn. Vale of Atholl square up to division rivals Almondvale and start favourites after their league win at the Riverside, while Alyth travel to Victory Park with a tall task to overcome last season’s cup specialists Bridge of Earn.

Wolfhill are home favourites over Royale while Kettins will be also be confident as they travel to Crieff to face the Strath. Rattray, at Letham Utd., and Comrie, on their travels to Letham Lads, look too close to call and may require extra-time, while Burrelton are red hot favourites to advance at the hands of Kenmore. Tay Thistle and Auchterarder round up the draw and a small shock could be on the cards at The Bowl. In the Perthshire Cup, Breadalbane, in desperate need of goals, host a tricky tie against Meigle while Newtyle will look to send out a message through their cup tie against Villareal that their the Third Division favourites. In the only league game of the day, Jekyl and Hyde Bridgeton will be looking to secure a much-needed three points at home to a Fairfield team littered with suspensions.

FIXTURES for tomorrow (Saturday), all kick-offs 1.30pm:

Ashleigh Cup first round – Methven v Kinrossie/Cale (G Graham).

Perthshire Cup first round – Newtyle Hearts v Perth Villarreal (P Aiken). Second round – Breadalbane v Meigle Vics (G Crawford).

Ashleigh Cup second round – St Johns v Errol FC (D Muir); Letham v Roselea (W Grieve); Ballinluig v Gateway (R Thomson); Balmoral Utd v Star of Atholl (M Sharpe); Stanley/Dunkeld CSSA v Vale of Earn (P Lynch); Vale of Atholl v Almondvale (S Ross); Bridge of Earn v Alyth (P Montgomery); Wolfhill v Perth Royale (J Hunter); Letham Utd v Rattray (K Barclay); Strathearn Grove v Kettins (D Ragsdell); Letham Lads v Comrie Rovers (G Thomson); Burrelton Rovers v Kenmore (D Brydie); Tay Thistle v Auchterarder Primrose (S Robertson).

Division Two – Bridgeton Utd v Fairfield (S Thomson). No game – Coupar Angus.

Kingdom Caledonian

TOMORROW’S fixture: Scottish Brewers Cup first round, kick off 1.30pm.