Perthshire junior footballers hope to get back to games

Jan 15 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE slight improvement in the weather has given rise to hopes that there could be a return to action soon but the prospect of any games getting the go ahead this Saturday remains in the extremely doubtful category.

Kinnoull had a midweek friendly against the St Johnstone youth team on the McDiarmid Park all weather pitch in what was an excellent game. Scott Brown’s team managed to win 4–3.

The Kinnoull boss said the young Saints were a handful and they had his team stretched at times and none more so than when they swept into a two goal lead.

The first of those goals came after six minutes and it was scored from the penalty spot. Saints continued to have the better of the exchanges and in 20 minutes they were rewarded with a well worked and taken goal.

This further setback saw Kinnoull retaliate and within six minutes they had reduced the leeway when Chris Anton, who was making tracks for the Saints goal, was brought down in the penalty box. Chris took the resultant spot kick himself and he made no mistake to make it 2–1 and that’s how the score stood at the interval.

Kinnoull got back on level terms early in the second half when a cross from Martin Maher was met by Robbie Holden in the penalty box from where he proceeded to beat the keeper. They then went on to take the lead in 70 minutes.

A corner taken by Steve McManus was met by Chris Anton at the front post and he beat the keeper with a header.

The Saints, despite losing those three goals, had always been in the game and in 80 minutes when a good move opened up the Kinnoull defence and it was punished with a well taken goal to make it 3–3.

It looked as if the game would end all square but with four minutes remaining Kinnoull’s Robbie Holden was brought down in the penalty box, again Chris Anton took the spot kick and again he made no mistake to win the game for his side.

This was a hard fought win for Kinnoull against a classy young Saints side.

Kinnoull are due to play Camelon at Tulloch Park in the East of Scotland Cup but the odds against it going on are stacked very much in favour of it not happening.

However should it get the thumbs up sign Scott Brown expects to have a full strength squad available.

Should their game be called off Kinnoull are lined up to play a friendly with central league leaders Oakley, that is of course if their league game suffers the same fate. The friendly if it takes place will be at a venue in Kirkcaldy.

Bankfoot and Luncarty both have home games against Newburgh and Kirkcaldy YM respectively and the news from Coronation Park and Brownlands Park is that it would require an exceptional thaw and there’s no sign of that happening, to get those games played.

This is a disappointing scenario for all concerned but even more so for the Bleachers new boss Mark Christie who has yet to see his team play a game.

Jeanfield and Scone Thistle are both down in Fife and at the time of going to press they hadn’t heard from their opponents Crossgates and Dundonald respectively about the state of their pitches but it’s likely to be the same story.

If the games go on Swifts will have an almost full squad, only Mike Gow (back injury) is missing.

Scone Thistle have no problems and manager Derek Adam expects that he will have a full strength squad to choose from.

There seems to be an outside chance of Coupar Angus’ north league away game against Arbroath Vics going ahead.

Coupar boss Barry Britton said he had been told that most of the snow had disappeared which is a welcome sight should that be so but it must remain in the doubtful category.

However hope springs eternal and should it get the go ahead Barry will have a full squad available with his recently signed goalkeeper Dougie Thom making his debut.

Blairgowrie are away to Carnoustie in the premier league but again it’s a game that’s very much in danger. If it were to get the go ahead Blair boss Ross Graham would be without three of his squad.

Barry McLean and Kris McKaig are injured while Jamie Duncan is suspended.

TOMORROW’S fixtures: East of Scotland Cup second round – Kinnoull v Camelon.

Premier League – Carnoustie Panmure v Blairgowrie.

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

North League – Arbroath Vics v Coupar Angus.

Kick Off’s – 1.45pm.