Teams set off on Redwood stage

Jan 16 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S fixture list is dominated by the Redwood Leisure Cup.

Kinnoull, Bankfoot and Blairgowrie are engaged in first round ties, while Coupar Angus will be striving to surmount the obstacle of a preliminary round tie so they can win their way through to the proper opening round of this cup.

Tulloch Park is the venue for what should be an engrossing cup clash with Kinnoull playing hosts to their great cup rivals Hill o’ Beath.

Kinnoull and the ‘Haws’ have met over the past two years in two ACA Sports League Cup semi-finals, a Redwood Leisure Cup quarter-final and Malocco Cup tie.

Those games were all played at the Fifers Keir’s Park and while they were generally closely contested encounters, Kinnoull finished on the losing end in all four of those ties.

The teams also met twice in the super league the season Kinnoull played in it and they went on to chalk up their only win when they beat the Haws 2–1 at Tulloch Park, but they lost the corresponding fixture at Keir’s Park.

Kinnoull boss Scott Brown is quite delighted they are now getting their first crack in a cup tie at Tulloch Park and he is quietly confident they will win and move forward to round two.

Kinnoull won’t have a full squad available, two definite non starters are Gary Sweeney (knee injury) and Neil Gardiner (unavailable).

Mark Gordon is in the very doubtful category with a thigh strain along with Jamie McKenzie who injured toes in an accident at work.

There is also a question mark at Chris Anton.

Scott Brown said: “It’s reckoned Chris has at least a 50/50 chance of being given the all clear.

“He will probably have a late fitness test.”

As far as league form of the two teams in their respective leagues Kinnoull have the edge as they have three more points to their credit than the Haws from a game less played.

Bankfoot have Steelend Vics as their visitors to Coronation Park.

The Vics are currently anchored at the foot of the league table.

Bankies are four points ahead of them with a game in hand and are obviously the favourites to win this tie.

There is also the fact that Bankies are a good cup side having ousted the north region super league side Lewis United out of the GA Cup and recently they had an excellent away win against Downfield.

Bankies hope to choose from a squad of 16 or 17 for this game.

John Mitchell is the only doubt with a niggling ankle injury.

Steelend Vics are on the bottom of the league table a position they are well used to as the Vics have yet to register a win in the league.

They have played 10 games and have a total of three points from drawn games.

They have however two very useful strikers in their squad, Darren Seath and Alan Kirkwood. The Bankies will be wise to keep tabs on this duo.

Blairgowrie travel into the Kingdom to take on Crossgates Primrose, whom they met in the Scottish Cup earlier in the season in which Blair were held to a goalless draw by the Fifers at Davie Park.

They went on to sweep the Primrose aside in the replay at Humbug Park winning 5–2 and they are confident they can win again at this venue.

Blair will be without forward Jamie Duncan for this game, he is suspended and Nairn Gellatly may not be available.

Manager Billy Mackay expects to have a squad of 15 or 16 available.

Tomorrow Coupar Angus are away from home to Forfar Albion in the preliminary round of the Redwood Cup.

Their hosts have only registered one win so far this season and that was against a north region side in the GA Cup.

They are anchored at the foot of the north league table still without a point.

Coupar if form is any guide should win this cup clash and it will be a major shock if they don’t advance to the next round.

Coupar will be without striker Jaz Rujnica (unavailable), but returning to the squad is Matush Moravcik. Coupar expect to travel to Guthrie Park with a squad of 17.

Luncarty and Jeanfield Swifts meet at Brownlands Park in the central league and given their relative positions in the league table Swifts are the favourites to win the three points.

The Bleachers boss Barrie Malcolm is having his first crack at the Swifts since taking over at Brownlands Park and while he is well aware that his side are the second favourites in this derby clash he is looking forward to crossing swords with the Swifts.

Barrie had his full squad of 18 players in attendance at Tuesday night’s training session and he said: “If spirit is anything to go by then we are in with a chance of causing an upset.

“That’d be a terrific boost for us.”

The Bleachers most recent signing defender Scott Wightman is in the squad for this game and is likely to make his home debut.

Dougie Jay (thigh injury) is the only doubt for this game and could have a late fitness test.

Barrie Malcolm expects to have a squad of 17 or 18 available.

Swifts will be going all out to win this derby clash as the three points would consolidate their number three top spot in the league table and keep them in contention in the championship race.

Swifts have lost the services of David Thornton.

He has been recalled by his senior club East Stirling. However they have a new signing in their squad for tomorrow’s game – Chris Dodd (17), has joined them from St Johnstone on loan until the end of the season. Chris is a defender/midfield player and will be in the squad of 18 for tomorrow’s game.

Scone Thistle have a tough assignment away to St Andrews in the central league.

The Saints are second from the top of the table and are considered by many to be favourites for the championship.

Thistle boss Derek Adam has three players in the doubtful category for this game.

Goalkeeper Steve McKinnie, recurring hamstring injury,Alan Cameron, leg injury and their most recent signing David Pennycook, toe injury.

Late fitness tests are likely to be the order of the day.

David Pennycook is carrying on the family tradition with the Thistle. Willie Pennycook, David’s grandfather was a one time player with the club in its juvenile days.

He was the Thistle chairman for many years and is now an honorary president of the club.

Willie is still a fervent supporter as he attends the games both at home and away.

Thistle have placed Craig Stephen on the open to transfer list. Craig is a midfield/forward.

All enquiries should be directed to the secretary, Scott Stewart, tel 01738 812841.

TOMORROW’S fixtures: Redwood Leisure Cup first round – Bankfoot Athletic v Steelend Vics; Kinnoull v Hill o’ Beath; Crossgates Primrose v Blairgowrie.

Preliminary round – Forfar Albion v Coupar Angus.

Central League – Luncarty v Jeanfield Swifts; St Andrews United v Scone Thistle.

Kick off’s – 1.45pm.