Bankies to battle tough opponents

Apr 3 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BANKFOOT have taken 11 points from their last five games (three wins and two draws).

Tomorrow, they will be striving to extend this unbeaten run at the expense of Thornton Hibs who are their guests in the central league at Coronation Park.

Bankies are only two points away from equalling that points total and they have still got eight games left to play. This looks like being a cracking encounter with the points at stake very much wanted by both the Bankies and the Hibs.

Bankies unfortunately won’t be at full strength as Jim Weir and Scott McCabe are unavailable and Neil McCallum is still out with a groin injury.

Kenny Hynd returns and manager Robin Wood may also have a trialist in his squad which he expects will number 16 or 17.

The only team news from the Hibs camp is that they will still be without Graham Dursley who is sidelined with a long term injury.

Kinnoull are at home to Carnoustie in the premier league and this Tulloch Park encounter between two great rivals will no doubt be both highly competitive and entertaining.

Kinnoull are chasing points that will keep them to the fore as contenders in the race to finish as the championship runners up in the premier league.

The major factor in finishing in this second spot is the reward of promotion to the super league and Kinnoull would be delighted if they could return to this top flight competition from which they were relegated a couple of seasons ago.

Kinnoull boss Scott Brown sprung a pleasant surprise in his team news for this game when he said there was a distinct possibility Gary Sweeney may be included in his squad.

Gary has been out of action for close on three months with a knee injury but has resumed training. Kinnoull’s other long term injury victim Mark Morrison has been doing light training and the signs are encouraging.

Carnoustie were being punted as likely to be one of the leading contenders for the championship.

The Gowfers however have suffered a slump in their form.

They didn’t take anything from the four league games they played in March and would now appear to be out of contention for the championship, but they could still be in at the death for the runners up position if they can win the games they have in hand.

The Gowfers as usual have a fair sprinkling of players who are based in Perth or Perthshire.

They have just completed the transfer of Alan Campbell from Arbroath. Alan who is a central defender previously played with Scone. Manager Iain Flaherty and his assistant George O’Boyle are also from Perth.

Flaherty hasn’t announced his squad for this encounter.

Blairgowrie are also engaged in the premier league, away to Ballingry. Blair are of course battling with the threat of relegation. They have enough games in hand if they can win them to beat the drop but of course that’s more easily said than done.

It would be a terrific boost for their chances if they were to get a favourable result at Ore Park tomorrow.

Blair boss Billy Mackay may have to travel for this game without striker Alan Cruickshanks.

Alan limped off with a leg injury in the first half of last week’s game and had to be subbed. However he hasn’t been definitely ruled out for tomorrow’s game and he may have a late fitness test.

Luncarty and Jeanfield Swifts are both engaged in central league games. Luncarty have Lochore Welfare as their guests at Brownlands Park while the Swifts travel into the Kingdom to take on Rosyth.

The Bleachers felt they were unfortunate not to take something from their game with Scone Thistle last Saturday.

Manager Barrie Malcolm said of tomorrow’s clash with Lochore: “I feel confident that we can do the business in this game and that the Fifers will leave for home empty handed.” An important factor for Barrie is that he will have a full squad of 18 available.

Jeanfield have a difficult hurdle to surmount in the shape of Rosyth who are second from the top of the table and are chasing points that will help them sustain their challenge for the championship. Swifts are fourth in the table and are just a couple of points behind their hosts from a game more played.

Swifts will be without four of their squad as Chris Dodd and Kevin Fowler are suspended and Mike Gow and Gary Brock are injured.

Coupar Angus are at home to bottom of the table Forfar Albion who are still without a point.

Coupar were trounced to the tune of 6–0 in last week’s Redwood Cup clash against Lochore Welfare are looking to bounce back by taking the three points from this game.

Coupar skipper John Blackwood along with Scott Grant and Paul Cruickshanks are sidelined with injuries while Georgie Greer and Barry Mann are unavailable.

On a brighter note Scott Sutherland has recovered from his ankle injury and returns to the squad. It’s a late selection from manager Derek Grier.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues: Premier League – Kinnoull v Carnoustie P; Ballingry Rose v Blairgowrie.

Central League – Bankfoot Athletic v Thornton Hibs; Luncarty v Lochore Welfare; Rosyth v Jeanfield Swifts.

North League – Coupar Angus v Forfar Albion.

All kick off’s – 2.30pm.

No game – Scone Thistle.

CUP draws – GA Cup semi final – Blairgowrie v Harp.

Redwood Leisure Cup second round – Blairgowrie v Ballingry R; Kelty H v Kinnoull; Forfar WE v Bankfoot Athletic; Glenrothes v Broughty Athletic; Tayport v St Andrews or Kirrie Thistle; Oakley v Lochee United; Lochore Welfare v North End; Violet or Montrose R v Carnoustie or Thornton Hibs.

Dates to be arranged.