Junior Football fixtures doubtful despite upturn in weather

Jan 22 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S games – despite a slight improvement in the weather – remain in the doubtful category. This is due to the fact that while most of the snow has gone, there’s still water lying about and its not getting away as most pitches are still frostbound.

There has however been hopeful noises from some of the grounds that they will have improved sufficiently to allow the games to go ahead although its said with guarded optimism.

Kinnoull have a highly attractive East of Scotland second round cup tie against super league side Camelon, this Tulloch Park clash has already been called of twice, will it be third time lucky.

Kinnoull Chairman Chris Jones said earlier in the week the prospects didn’t look too promising at that particular time.

He stressed however that he wasn’t ruling out the possibility of the game going on.

His comments were: " Much depends on how the weather behaves and no doubt Charlie Swan who looks after our ground will be doing his utmost to get it playable but it will be touch and go."

Scott Brown like most managers would be delighted to see the games go ahead as he said: "We have travelled quite extensively to various training facilities and while it’s enjoyable and it keeps the players fit everybody, both management and of course the players, are desperately keen to get back in to action with a game."

This cup clash, if it gets the go ahead is likely to be a keenly contested and entertaining game.

Kinnoull’s most recent signing Chris Webster, who was nursing a hamstring injury when he joined them at Tulloch Park, has been training hard and is almost back to full fitness but is unlikely to make his debut in this game. Gary Sweeney is doubtful (bruised ribs), but he may have a late test. Scott Brown expects to have a squad of 16/17.

Camelon are in the lower half of the Super League table but have games in hand, haven’t named a squad.

Blairgowrie are away to Carnoustie in the Premier League and its a difficult one for Blair as the Gowfers were in a good vein of form before this enforced break and are now fourth from the top of the league table.

Blair have been dogged by injuries to key players which hasn't helped their cause and its no doubt why their form has been a bit up and down but on their day they are a difficult side to take anything from and this is borne out by the fact that they have collected enough points to move them out of the relegation zone.

Another problem manager Ross Graham has had to cope with is that he doesn’t have a very big squad and he has had a few disappointments in his attempts to strengthen it. However he had success this week when he managed to recruit Darren Gray to his squad.

Darren was on Penicuik's books he played for the Lothians side when he stayed in Edinburgh but now that he is back staying in Perth he wanted a club nearer home.

Blair met Penicuik's asking fee and Darren was signed up.

Ross Graham said of his new player, Darren, a former Cowdenbeath Scone and Kinnoull player: “He can play wide or forward and this should prove to be a real asset for us.” He is in the squad for tomorrow’s game which will be minus Barry McLean and Kris McKaig, both injured and Jamie Duncan, is suspended. It’s a late selection from Ross Graham.

The news from Carnoustie’s Laing Park is encouraging, an official of the club said in midweek the pitch at the present time would have a better than a fifty chance of being played and if the weather holds the game should go ahead.

Coupar Angus are away to Arbroath Vics in the North League and the news from the Vics’ Ogilvy Park is that it has a very good chance of being playable which will be music to Barry Britton’s ears as he has been frustrated when even the friendlies he arranged became casualties. Hopefully all will go well and it will be back to business for both teams.

Barry will have a new signing in his squad, he is 17 year old Ross Brown who has joined up at Foxhall Park from the juvenile ranks. Ross is a six foot defender and is rated highly by Barry Britton, who is angling after another signing whom he said is an experienced player.

Barry may have to travel for this game without Nairn Gellatly and Andy Murray who are nursing injuries, but will have late fitness tests. Barry will await the result of those tests before deciding on his line up.

Luncarty, Bankfoot, Scone Thistle and Jeanfield Swifts are all engaged in the Central League and it would appear that the Scone and Jeanfield away games against Dundonald and Crossgates have a much better chance of going ahead than the home games of the other two.

Luncarty will take on Kirkcaldy YM at their Denfield Park home ground.

There’s no doubt that the man most anxious to see the game going on is the Bleacher’s manager Mark Christie who hasn’t seen his troops in action since he was appointed and if it does get the go ahead he has a full squad plus a couple of trialists on board. It’s a late selection from Mark.

The news from the Bankies’ Coronation Park is not encouraging as the state of the pitch in midweek was not good again its just a case of wait and see if their game against Newburgh gets the go ahead.

There was however better news from manager Ian Duff in as much that Scott McCabe, Barry Ward and Brad McKerchar, all of whom have been out for months, have all come through tough training sessions and will be in the squad.

The squad will still not be at full strength as Danny Dobbie is nursing an ankle injury and is likely to be out for some time and Mike Jarmuszeski is unavailable. Ian Duff lists a squad of 17.

Scone Thistle will have an almost full squad for their game at Dundonald with only goalkeeper David Winton missing as he will be for some weeks due to business commitments however Thistle are most fortunate that they have Steve McKinnie who shares the duties with Winton available so it doesn’t give manager Derek Adam the headache of looking for another keeper. Thistle expect to travel with a squad of 17.

Jeanfield Swifts are guests of Crossgates. Swifts were due to play a midweek friendly against East Fife at New Bayview but this was called off which was a disappointment for Murray McDowall and his players.

Murray has only one doubt for tomorrow’s game, Jamie Reilly who is nursing an injury and is likely to have a late test. Swifts expect to have a squad of 17 or 18 available.

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

Premier League – Carnoustie Panmure v Blairgowrie.

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

North League – Arbroath Vics v Coupar Angus.

Kick offs – 1.45pm.