Final cut for Blair in GA showdown

May 22 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BLAIRGOWRIE travel to Aberdeen tomorrow to take on Sunnybank in the final of the GA Engineering Cup. This final is being played at the Hillside Centre and it kicks off at 1.30pm.

The GA Cup is one of the season’s major cup competitions and is competed for by teams form the north region and the Tayside district of the east region.

Blairgowrie accounted for Broughty Athletic, Ellon United, Forfar Albion and Lochee Harp to reach the final.

Blair are unlikely to be bothered by the pressure of playing in a final as they have become well used to it in their chase after crucial points as they strive to win their fight against the threat of being relegated.

Sunnybank will no doubt go into this final as the favourites given that they look pretty certain to win their regions super league championship. Blair on the other hand are in the relegation zone of the premier league.

The form book is however very often turned upside down when it comes to cup ties and Blair are quietly confident they will do just that and return home with the cup in their possession.

Blair will go into this final with an almost full strength squad available, only player missing is forward Andy Murray as he is getting married. Blair will travel with a squad of 16.

Blair and Sunnybank have only met once before and that was away back in 1955 not long after the Aberdeen side had won the Scottish Cup.

This was a friendly which was played at Davie Park and Blair won by 3–1. A similar result would be most welcome tomorrow.

Blair wont lack support in this final as such is the interest in the town that a big number of fans will be travelling to cheer them on and that’s encouraging.

Bankfoot, who finished near the foot of the central league table last season and were disappointed to do so, were given a target by manager Robin Wood for this season, which was to at least finish in the top half of the table.

Bankies achieved this target when they won their midweek away game against Steelend Vics by 2–1.

Bankies now have 34pts to their credit and they could extend this to a total of 40 if they were to win both their remaining games which are at Coronation Park.

Those however are very tough assignments as they are against Rosyth, the likely runners up in the championship and St Andrews who have already clinched the championship.

The first of those games is against Rosyth tomorrow and will be followed with a visit from St Andrews on Monday night.

For tomorrow’s game against Rosyth, Jamie McAinsh, Neil McDougal and John Mitchell return to the squad, but Steven Moon is extremely doubtful. Steven came off midway through the first half in the game with Steelend.

It’s a late selection from Robin Wood who said he may include a trialist in the squad.

Rosyth were one time leading contenders in the championship race and are now vying with Kirkcaldy YM for the runners up spot and a win tomorrow is a must for them if they are to secure this second place spot.

KINNOULL and Blairgowrie clashed during the midweek at Tulloch Park in the premier league.

This was a cracking encounter that finished 2–1 in Kinnoull’s favour.

Kinnoull went in at the interval 1–0 ahead thanks to a goal scored by Jamie McKenzie after only four minutes.

Blair got back on level terms on the hour mark with a goal from Jamie Duncan.

They had a great chance to take the lead in 72 minutes when they were awarded a penalty which was taken by Paul Ireland, but it was brilliantly saved by keeper Duncan Bruce.

Five minutes later Robbie Holden scored what proved to be the winner for Kinnoull a few minutes before the final whistle.

Kinnoull’s Jon Kelly got a straight red card and was ordered off.

Bankfoot took the lead in the 35th minute of their game with Steelend Vics.

A Gavin Mackie corner caused a real scrimmage in the Vics goalmouth and a flick from Alan Stewart was helped over the goal line by a touch from Scott McCabe, although Alan Stewart claimed the goal.

The second half had only been in operation for a couple of minutes when Danny Dobbie was brought down in the penalty box. Scott McCabe made certain of getting his name on the score sheet when he converted the resultant spot kick.

Richard Workman pulled one back for the Vics with a goal in 84 minutes but it was too little too late.

Luncarty have appointed John ‘Jock’ Pearson as their manager.

Jock has spent many years as a coach and manager in amateur football and would appear to be ideally suited for this fresh challenge. Jock takes over immediately at Brownlands Park and will bring a back room staff with him.

Alan Blyth, the Luncarty youth team boss who has been acting as interim manager, will stay on to assist Jock and his staff as well as continuing to be in charge of the youth team.

Luncarty chairman Ian Bannerman said: “Jock is a real enthusiast and given time I am sure he will turn our fortunes round.”