Perthshire junior footballs chasing league victory

Nov 20 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW it’s back to chasing points as all games are in the respective league programmes and hopefully the weather will behave and the games will all get the green light.

Kinnoull and Blairgowrie have what could certainly be termed as quite crucial encounters Tulloch Park is the venue for Kinnoull’s clash with Montrose Roselea.

The teams are equally desperate to take the points from his game but for very differing reasons – Kinnoull if they win would certainly consolidate their second top place in the league table and there’s the possibility that they could go top if the current league leaders Forfar West End fail to win their home game against Tayport, which is probably unlikely but is a possibility.

Roselea who were promoted last season are certainly finding life tough in the premier league table without a win in the eight games they have played hopefully they won’t break their duck in this visit to Tulloch Park they will certainly have the odds against them to take anything from this game.

Blairgowrie, third from the bottom of the table, entertain Fauldhouse who are one point ahead of Blair and two places above them in the league table.

A win for Ross Graham’s side could see them elevated to a near mid table position.

Those will no doubt be hard fought and entertaining encounters.

Kinnoull will have their most recent signing goalkeeper Matt Curtis making his Tulloch Park debut in this game.

Matt has joined them on loan from Forfar Athletic and he takes over from regular goalkeeper Duncan Bruce who is unavailable for a few weeks due to sitting exams.

Mark Gordon who has been unavailable returns to the squad. Another piece of good news from the Kinnoull camp is that Robbie Holden has now fully recovered from the calf injury that has limited his appearances in recent games.

Manager Scott Brown has only one doubt – Steve McAllister, who picked up an ankle injury at training and he may have a late fitness test.

A squad of 16 or 17 is expected to be available.

Montrose Roselea, who suffered their heftiest defeat of the season last week when the crashed at home to Armadale by 5–2, haven’t named a squad.

Blairgowrie boss Ross Graham will await fitness test on defender Mark Christinson (hamstring) and striker Alan Cruickshank (knee problems) before deciding on his line up for the game with Fauldhouse. Ross expects to have a squad of at least 15.

Top game in the central league is the clash at the Riverside stadium where Jeanfield Swifts are hosts to Rosyth and again this is a crucial encounter for both teams.

To explain – both teams are nurturing designs at being in at the death of the race for the championship.

The current leaders and favourites for this honour is Oakley who top the table with 20pts while Rosyth are four points behind in second place with 16pts, Swifts are 4th with 15pts and in between in third place are Thornton Hibs with 16pts.

Oakley and the Hibs are very much the favourites to win their games and if they prove those forecasts to be correct Swifts will have to win tomorrow to keep within touching distance of the leaders.

This will be Swifts recently appointed manager Murray McDowells third league game since he took over. The first two were against Oakley and Thornton and they narrowly lost to Oakley and then went on to stage a great second half comeback and they are quietly confident they can do the business tomorrow and stay in the championship race.

Swifts had a midweek friendly against the unbeaten north league leaders Broughty. They were 3–0 up at the interval but had to settle for a 3–3 draw. David Thornton scored two of those goals with Tony Holt their other scorer from the penalty spot.

Murray McDowall played his first full 90 minutes against Broughty and he now intends to include himself in the squad for the clash with Rosyth.

Kevin Fowler is doubtful as he has a groin strain and he will have a late fitness test.

Definite non starters are Craig Milne (injured) and David Hannah (suspended). Swifts expect to have a squad of 16 or 17.

Bankfoot for a second successive week have transferred their fixture. They were due to play Kirkcaldy YM at Coronation Park but there were grave doubts as to whether or not it would be playable so they suggested to the powers that be that the fixture should be reversed and that was agreed, which seems a sensible arrangement.

Bankies boss Ian Duff has ruled out his defender Danny Dobbie (ankle injury), also missing is striker Alan Stewart (unavailable).

On the plus side striker Charlie Bradshaw returns to the squad now that he has completed his three game ban. Bankies expect to travel with a squad of 16 or 17.

Luncarty still striving to get their first home win of the season at Brownlands Park have Dundonald Bluebell as their guests and its a tough one for Jock Pearson and his players.

Jock’s number one problem is that his squad is continually depleted and it’s no different for this game as he will be without Craig McPhail, Dean Howie and Rab Nicol, who are ruled out with injuries, while both Jamie Leishman and Noel Meechan are unavailable. It’s a late selection from Jock who is likely to include trialists in his squad.

Scone Thistle are away to Crossgates Primrose and manager Derek Adam will give three of his players late fitness tests.

They are Alan Cameron (groin injury), Keith Dewar (back), Greg Zaczek (knee). Derek will select his squad after the outcome of those tests.

In the north league Coupar Angus are another club with a tough assignment they take on Violet who are second top of the table and they have the same points as league leaders Broughty but have played a game more and they have suffered only one league defeat.

Coupar’s spirits have been given a lift after their 5–1 win last week against Luncarty.

However they are well aware that Violet will be a much more difficult proposition and they will have to buck the odds if they are to register there first league win of the season at Foxhall Park by sending the Pansies home empty handed.

Manager Barry Britton will still be without Nairn Gellatly (calf strain) and Ross Thompson (suspended).

On the plus side Jackson Craigie has now completed his suspension stint and ban. Barry expects to have a squad of 18 available.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues: Premier League – Kinnoull v Montrose Roselea; Blairgowrie v Fauldhouse United.

Central League – Jeanfield Swifts v Rosyth; Kirkcaldy YM v Bankfoot; Luncarty v Dundonald Bluebell; Crossgates Primrose v Scone Thistle.

North League – Coupar Angus v Dundee Violet.

Kick Offs – 2pm.