Weather casts doubt over junior fixtures

Jan 12 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Perthshire Juniors

WITH the wintry weather continuing the prospect of the teams getting a return to action this week look to be pretty bleak at this point in time.

There are however signs that the temperature is beginning to rise and hopefully it will continue to do so although Saturday’s fixtures must remain in the doubtful category.

The East Region Secretariat have of course to carry on with the business of issuing fixtures and here they are as far as teams in this area are concerned:

East of Scotland Cup – Kinnoull vCamelon.

Premier League – Carnoustie P v Blairgowrie.

Central League – Bankfoot Athletic v Newburgh; Luncarty v Kirkcaldy YM; Crossgates P v Jeanfield Swifts; Dundonald B v Scone Thistle.

North League – Arbroath Vics v Coupar Angus.

The fourth round of the Emirates Scottish Cup is also scheduled to be played on Saturday but it too would appear to be in jeopardy, again it’s a case of wait and see.

Keeping the players fit has certainly mounted a challenge for the managers and they have risen to the challenge admirably here is how they are coping.

Kinnoull’s Scott Brown said that on Tuesday night they had a session at the Letham Club’s five a side courts and on Thursday they did a two hour stint of circuit training in a school gym. On Saturday they travelled to the Soccer World indoor centre in Dundee and put in a two hour stint of training and five a sides. Scott Brown described it as the toughest session of the week.

Tonight (Tuesday) the players will get a taste of real action as they are to play a St Johnstone side on the all weather pitch at McDiarmid Park, kick off 6.15pm.

Scott Brown said he expected to have his full squad available.

Scone Thistle Manager Derek Adam had his players at Bell’s Sport Centre where they had a training session followed by five a sides. He followed this up with a very hard indoor training session in the high school gym.

Coupar Angus boss Barry Britton had his players out road running on Monday and on Wednesday it was a session in the Nortell gym. On Saturday it was down to Broughty Ferry beach where he said they had a brilliant session with a bit of everything.

Barry has signed a goalkeeper he has been keen to get on board for some time now.

He is Douglas Thoms who has been playing with his university team.

Barry said apart from his undoubted abilities as a keeper he has a presence that we have been lacking for some time in our goal area.

Barry is on the trail of another couple of signings and he is confident that he will conclude the business with their present clubs and that they will join his squad soon.

Bankfoot had a tough work out in the Kilgraston gym on Saturday and taking part for the first time since his operation some months ago was Scott McCabe.

He came through it well and manager Ian Duff is confident that it won’t be too long before Scott will be fit to return to the fray and that will be a boost for the Bankies.

Ian Duff gave his players a night off from training on Monday but they will make up for it on Thursday as he takes them to Bell’s for a spinning session which involves static bikes and is said to be hard going.

Jeanfield Swifts have been spreading their training sessions between the Kinross all weather pitch and the gym this week.

However they will break new ground as they will travel to Dundee to the Good Health Fitness Studio which has just been opened by their manager Murray McDowell and the Swifts players will be among the first of its customers. All the best to Murray in this new venture.

Luncarty boss Mark Christie has made his first signing – Christopher Rae, a one time Stirling Albion youth player.

He has been playing with the Edinburgh Amateur side United in the tough Amateur league although he stays in Perth.

Chris is a central defender/midfield player.

Mark expects to have another few more signings very soon.

Mark has had his players at the Body Academy for a couple of session and on Thursday they will train at the Glenearn Complex.