Bankies hope to spring a surprise

May 15 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW, Bankfoot take on super league side Hill o’ Beath in the quarter-final of the Maloco Cup at Coronation Park and the Bankies will be going all out to inflict a second shock of the week on the Haws.

The Haws met Thornton Hibs in the semi of the Fife and Lothians Cup in midweek and were held to a shock 1–1 draw, losing 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

The Bankies have had their fair share of producing cup shocks over the seasons and hopefully they will add another scalp to their belt and make it to the semi-final of the Maloco Cup in the process.

Bankies were also engaged in midweek, they met Lochore Welfare in a central league game and they won this Coronation Park clash and collect three points that takes them a step nearer their target which is to finish in the top half of the league table.

Colin Fraser, Neil McDougal and John Mitchell all missed the game against Lochore but return to the squad for tomorrow’s game.

Bankies boss Robin Wood said after the midweek game: “We could have a full squad but there is a question mark at Barry Ward’s fitness.

“He sustained an ankle injury in the first half and will have a late fitness test.”

It will be a late selection from Robin.

Blairgowrie were away to Dundonald Bluebell in midweek.

The Fifers are fellow travellers with Blair in the relegation zone and with home advantage in this premier league game they were widely tipped to finish with the crucial points at stake.

Blair certainly made a mockery of those forecasts as they went on to leave their opponents gob smacked and reeling after thrashing them to the tune of 8–2.

As the score indicates this was an extremely powerful performance from Blair and certainly gives their chances of beating the drop a boost.

Blair are at home to Arniston Rangers in the Premier League tomorrow and they will be looking to continue their good work by again winning the crucial points from this encounter with Rangers.

Rangers were also in action in midweek, away to Newtongrange in the premier league and lost 3–1.

Rangers are in a mid table position at the present time and have no relegation worries. They tend to blow hot and cold and are certainly an unpredictable side.

A win for Blair in tomorrow’s game would certainly give their chances of premier league survival a further boost. Blair boss Billy Mackay is quietly confident that his players can do the business for the second time this week and add three further crucial points to their tally. Billy has the same squad of 16 available as did duty at Dundonald.

Jeanfield Swifts, Scone Thistle and Luncarty are engaged in the Central League in what are the final games of the season for all three.

A great way to wind up a season is with a derby encounter and that’s the scenario as far as Jeanfield and Scone Thistle are concerned as they face each other at Riverside Stadium.

Taking into account the relative positions of the teams in the league table, Swifts are fourth from the top while Thistle are third from the bottom, Swifts will obviously be the favourites to finish with the points. This should be a very interesting encounter.

Swifts boss Eddie O’Connor expects to have the same squad of 16 that did duty in last week’s game, plus goalkeeper David Rice. It’s a late selection from Eddie.

Scone Thistle had no game last week and the Thistle gaffer, Derek Adam, said that he had no injuries reported to him at the training sessions and he expects to have a full squad available.

Luncarty are away to Thornton Hibs and travel with interim manager Alan Blyth still in charge.

Alan will be without Mike Dott and Fraser Simpson as they are nursing hamstring injuries. Alan expects to have a squad of 15 available.

BLAIRGOWRIE’S stunning 8–2 win at Dundonald in midweek saw two of their players net hat-trick – Alan Cruickshank and Jamie Duncan, with John Farquharson and Nairn Gellatly their other scorers.

Nairn’s goal was from a 30-yard free-kick and it was his first touch of the ball as he had just come on as a sub.

Blair boss Billy Mackay was obviously delighted with his teams performance and while the two hat trick heroes grabbed much of the limelight this was first and foremost a terrific team performance.

Blairgowrie are to play their GA Cup final against Sunnybank at Hillheads ground, Aberdeen on Saturday, May 23.

Bankfoot’s 3–2 win over Lochore Welfare wasn’t quite as spectacular but it earned the Bankies three valuable points.

Bankies found themselves a goal behind in the first minute of this game.

They got the equaliser in 28 minutes when Gavin Macleod was brought down in the penalty box and Scott McCabe converted the spot kick.

Two minutes later Barry Ward put them ahead with an excellent strike from the edge of the penalty box. The Fifers got back on level terms with a goal in 61 minutes.

Bankies weren’t to be denied and 10 minutes later Alan Stewart scored with a looping header to restore their lead and clinch the points for them.

Kinnoull and Blairgowrie are to meet at Tulloch Park on Monday night in the Premier League.

Kinnoull will have Andre Tang back but will be without Iain Wilkie, and Mark Morrison. Scott Brown expects to have a squad of 16.

This is Kinnoull’s final game of the season and they will be keen to sign off with a flourish and three points.

Blair are obviously not in a position at this time to name a squad as they are of course playing tomorrow.

There is however one thing for sure and that is Blair are desperate to finish with the points. This will be no tame end of the season affair.