Perthshire amateur footballers facing Scottish Cup challenge

Jan 8 2010

THE two remaining Perthshire clubs left in the Scottish Cup have different tasks in hand as Breadalbane host Stirling side Slamannan in the fifth round with a home victory expected given their recent unbeaten run.

Ballinluig on the other hand are first footing to their hosts Ayr Amateurs in what should be a tight affair and hopefully the Luig can get at least a draw.

On local cup duty are Balmoral as they entertain Kinrossie with the home club favourites, Auchterarder’s good start to the season has seen the influential Maher move onto the Junior ranks and they face a tough task at home to Comrie Rovers.

An all division encounter has Vale of Atholl hosting Tay Thistle which will be an emotional day for all local players and committee following the sudden passing of John ‘Puff’ Rutherford before Christmas, well known in the community and well respected, he will be sorely missed on what will be a very tough first game back for the club in his absence.

Having played a number of friendly games against each other this season, Craigie have still to put a proper dent in the Roselea defence who will be red hot favourites to advance in the Ashleigh.

On league duty, a must win game for the Brig at home to Alyth is on the cards if they are to pull themselves away from the bottom currently occupied by the Vale who face a tricky away tie to Burrelton, but with some players returning, they could spring a shock. Letham have struggled to field the same team every week due to the club being let down by players, fortunately they should have a full quota this week aware of the trip to St Johns.

Coupar Angus host Villareal and should gain another three points to close the gap on the leaders at the top while Bridgeton and Jeanfield are at the wrong end of the table following a disappointing 2009 for both.

In division three, runaway leaders Rattray know a win at Newtyle should all but secure the first step in the promotion ladder.

Their strongest contenders for the division three crown are Letham Lads who face a rather tricky first game back at the Strath, especially if they have not kept sharp over the festive period.

Basement boys Errol start 2010 looking to get what they never in 2009, three league points, but they will probably have to wait another week as Kenmore come to visit. Meigle Vics have disappointed so far but will start favourites at home to Letham United , who may be distracted with the rumours of a return to the club by an ex manager, while the final two ties find four clubs who had title winning ambitions back in August, but have failed to deliver to this point, looking for a spark as Methven host Star and Kettins travel to Taybank.

TOMORROW’S fixtures, kick off’s 2pm unless stated:

Scottish Cup fifth round – Ayr Amateurs v Ballinluig; Breadalbane v Slamannan.

Perthshire Cup third round – Balmoral Utd v Kinrossie/Caledonian (D Muir); Auchterarder Primrose v Comrie Rovers (K Shaw); Vale of Atholl v Tay Thistle (P) (R Thomson).

Ashleigh Cup second round – Roselea v Craigie (G Crawford).

League Division One – Bridge of Earn v Alyth (B Reid); Burrelton Rovers v Vale of Earn (K Stewart); St Johns v Letham (D McCorquendale).

League Division Two – Coupar Angus v Perth Villareal (P Lynch), Bridgeton Utd v Jeanfield Swifts (P Stevenson).

League Division Three – Newtyle Hearts v Rattray (E Dow); Errol v Kenmore (C Turner); Letham Utd v Meigle Vics (M Sharpe); Methven v Star of Atholl (G Graham); Strathearn Grove v Letham Lads (K Barclay); Taybank v Kettins (J Richardson).

Free day – Wolfhill; no game – Fairfield.