It’s league domination

Mar 20 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW, all clubs – with one exception – have home league games.

Bankfoot are the odd team out and even then they have only to make the relatively short journey to do battle with Luncarty for their central league derby clash at Brownlands Park.

Kinnoull take on the premier league leaders Musselburgh at Tulloch Park.

Kinnoull who are third from the top of the table currently trail their guests by 10 points and are outsiders in the championship race.

A win however would keep them within touching distance of the leaders.

It’s a different ball game however in the contest for the runners up position as they are only two points behind its present incumbents Penicuik and are ahead of the rest of the chasing pack for this honour which carries with it the coveted prize of promotion to the super league.

Kinnoull have met their opponents twice this season, in a cup tie at Tulloch Park and away in the corresponding league fixture.

Musselburgh were the winners on both those occasions.

Kinnoull are determined to turn the tables on the Lothian side and make it third time ‘unlucky’ for them and capture those very valuable points in the process.

Kinnoull boss Scott Brown could have Iain Wilkie and Martin Maher back in his squad although it will be late fitness tests that will decide if they can be considered for this crucial encounter.

Jeanfield Swifts are hosts to St Andrews at the Riverside Stadium in the central league.

The Saints top the league table at this point in time and are being punted as the team most likely to win the championship.

Swifts were nurturing aspirations of mounting a challenge to them for this honour but were dealt a real blow last week when they lost to Kirkcaldy YM and are eight points behind the Saints.

Swifts are aware that anything other than a win tomorrow against Saints will certainly end their slim hopes of staying in the championship race.

Swifts when they played the Saints in the corresponding fixture held them to a draw and felt they were unlucky not to come home with the three points.

Swifts completed the signing of two players from St Johnstone last week.

They are central defender Mark Durnan and Gordon Norrie a midfield/defender, who have had games with the Saints reserve team.

Durnan played for the full 90 minutes last week while Norrie came on as a sub in the second half.

Goalkeeper David Rice is expected to return to the squad along with Nial Cassidy and Mike Gow. Eddie O’Connor expects to have a squad of 17 to choose from.

The Brownlands Park clash between Luncarty and Bankfoot will see them do battle for valuable points as they strive to improve their respective positions in the league table.

The Bleachers are currently on the bottom rung of the table, however a win or even a draw would be good enough to see them pull away from this position.

The Bankies manager Robin Wood has set his sights on finishing at least in a mid table position although his real target is to finish in the top half of the table. The teams have already met twice this season. Luncarty drew first blood with a 3–0 win in the League Cup, then Bankies took revenge with a 2–1 win in a league game at Coronation Park derby clash between those great rivals.

The Bleachers had former Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Henry Smith playing for them in last week’s game.

Henry was deputising for regular keeper Craig Houston. Craig is expected to get the all clear to resume tomorrow but Henry Smith will be on hand in case he is needed.

Barrie was delighted with the form of his newly signed striker Colin Brown who made his debut in last week’s game and scored twice.

Colin’s signing came at an opportune time for the Bleachers as one of their strikers Fraser Simpson has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

There is a question mark at Greg Zaczek who has a back injury, he is likely to have a late fitness test. Barrie Malcolm expects to have a squad of 17 or 18 available.

Bankies will again be without three of their squad, Danny Dobbie (calf injury), Neil McCallum (groin problem) and Jim Weir (unavailable).

The Bankies expect to have a squad of 16 available.

Scone Thistle have an attractive home game when they entertain Crossgates Primrose.

The Thistle’s form has improved and if they can take the points from this game there is the possibility that they can take another step up the league table.

The Primrose are an inconsistent outfit as they have had a mixture of good and disappointing results.

They are in the top half of the table and at this point in time they are eight points ahead of the Thistle in the table.

The Thistle will go into this game as second favourites taking into account their relative league positions.

They are however quietly confident that they can make it another one of those disappointing days for the Primrose.

Thistle boss Derek Adam expects to have Scott McManus back along with David Routledge. He will still be without Paul Anderson (leg injury) and Alan Cameron (unavailable).

If goalkeeper David Winton is still unavailable Steve McKinnie is fit and will be available if required. Derek Adam expects to have a squad of 16 to choose from.

Coupar Angus are hosts to Brechin Vics in the north league. Coupar were involved in an exchange of players with North End last week.

Their Richard Wheeler joined the Dundee club while two of their players, Scott Grant and Scott Henderson, made the reverse journey to Foxhall Park.

They made their debuts in last week’s away game and showed up well. They will make their home debuts in tomorrow’s game.

Coupar centre half Ali Townsley is still out of action with a knee injury while John Blackwood and Ian Petrie are both doubtful with injuries.

It’s a late selection from Coupar.

Blairgowrie take on Forfar Albion at Davie Park in the quarter final of the GA Cup and it certainly would be a major shock if they failed to make it to the semi finals as the Albion are at the foot of the north league table.

Blair will have their skipper Mark Brash back for this game along with John Farquharson. Manager Billy Mackay expects to have a squad of 16 available.

Billy is hopeful that a good crowd will turn out to help spur Blair on to a win and a place in the semi final of this major cup competition.

TOMORROW’S fixtures:

Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues: Premier League – Kinnoull v Musselburgh.

Central League – Jeanfield Swifts v St Andrews; Luncarty v Bankfoot; Scone Thistle v Crossgates P.

North League – Coupar Angus v Brechin Vics.

GA Engineering Cup quarter final – Blairgowrie v Forfar Albion.

Kick offs: League – 2.30pm; GA Cup – 2.15pm.