Junior footballers back in league action

Jan 29 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S games are all in the respective league competitions.

The midweek reports from around the grounds is varied although there seems to be guarded optimism that the games will get the green light and the general response was to wait and see how the weather behaves.

The Jeanfield Swifts versus Dundonald central league game scheduled to be played at Swifts Riverside Stadium has been switched to their opponents Moorfield Park ground.

There are at least half a dozen teams in contention for the Central League championship including Dundonald and Swifts and with around half the programme still to be played none of them can be ruled out of the equation.

The position of Swifts and Dundonald at the present time is that Swifts are in the runners-up position in the table with 24pts from 13 games played while their opponents have 15pts from eight games played and have the advantage over Swifts if they can win those games in hand which may prove to be difficult.

Swifts boss Murray McDowell will make a late selection. He will be without four of his squad including himself (bruised ribs), Mike Gow (back problem), Craig Milne (groin injury) and Chris Dodd suspended, plus one or two others are carrying knocks.

Murray may have at least a couple of trialists in his lineup.

Scone Thistle’s game with Bankfoot may not have any bearing on the destination of the championship but both teams are obviously very keen to finish as far up the table as is possible.

There is little doubt that the battle for the points at stake will be as keenly contested as in any of the games where championship points are at stake.

There’s always been a great rivalry between Thistle and the Bankies and this will no doubt be a very keenly contested encounter.

Thistle are a point ahead of their guests in the league table but the Bankies have a game in hand so there’s not a lot between them at the present time.

Scone boss Derek Adam could have problems for this game as he will be without at least three players – Bob Nairn (back injury), Iain Wilkie (thigh strain) and Andy Smith (foot injury) and his problems don’t end there as he has three players in the doubtful category and they will have late fitness tests.

The players concerned are Keith Dewar, Greg Zaczek, and Alan Cameron, obviously it’s a late selection from the Scone boss.

Bankies who only had a squad of 12 players last week and still got a terrific result they will however have a squad of 16 for this game as returning for them are Scott McCabe, Barry Ward and Mike Jarmusweski and there will probably be a trialist in their squad of 15 or 16.

The teams have already met twice this season, both games were played at Coronation Park.

Scone won the first of those which was in the league cup by 2–1.

Bankies took revenge in their next meeting which was in the league winning by 3–0.

Luncarty are at home to Crossgates Primrose and like their hosts the Primrose are having a tough season and are just a step above the Bleachers in the table thanks to being three points better off.

They too have a relatively new squad which has quite a number of younger players in its make up.

Luncarty boss Mark Christie got his first taste as a manager in the junior game against Kirkcaldy YM last week and it’s a baptism he isn’t likely to forget as the Bleachers were thrashed by the Fifers.

Mark has made two new signings and they will be in the squad along with a trialist striker for tomorrow’s game.

The new signings are – Jamie Scott and Steven Coleman, both midfield players. Two players picked up injuries at training, Angus Wilson (ankle injury) and Craig Wallace (foot injury). They will have late fitness tests. Mark Christie will make a late selection.

Kinnoull and Blairgowrie have what looks like being cracking premier league games.

Kinnoull are away to Montrose Roselea and they are hopeful that they will get their first official fixture played in eight weeks.

The midweek news from the Roselea camp is that Broomfield park is playable and unless there is quite a change in the weather there should be no problems.

This looks to be an intriguing encounter as both teams are chasing what are valuable points for very different reasons.

Kinnoull are very much involved in the race for the two top places in the league table while Roselea are struggling with the threat of relegation.

Roselea, who are anchored on the bottom of the table, hadn’t won a league game until last week when they broke their duck with a 3–1 away win against St Andrews. This coincided with the return of their striker Callum Watson who has been out for a lengthy spell with an injury. He showed that he hadn’t lost the art of sticking the ball in the back of the net as he scored two of his sides goals.

Kinnoull had a 4-1 win over Roselea when they met in the corresponding fixture at Tulloch Park, no doubt Scott Brown would be reasonably happy to settle for a lesser result as long as it is a winning one.

Kinnoull’s prospects of bringing home the points has been boosted by the fact that they will be almost at full strength as Steve McAllister and Gary Sweeney have recovered from their injuries and are back in the squad. Only player still in doubt is Chris Webster whom Scott reckons is just a training session away from being given the green light to resume. Scott expects to have a squad of 16 available.

Blairgowrie’s away win against Carnoustie last week was a real fill-up for them before their clash with Ballingry at Davie Park tomorrow. The Fife side are currently in the second top spot in the table with Blair trailing them by five points. A win in this game would see them well placed in the table and on the fringe of moving into the top half of the league table.

Blair’s previous meetings with their Fife guests have been classics. This season when they met them away from home the Fifers snatched the points thanks to a goal well into injury time. Who will ever forget Blair’s dramatic win in the last game of last season when they beat Ballingry to win the points that kept them in the premier league.

Blair have a few players missing, skipper Mark Brash continues on the sidelines with a knee injury where he has Barry McLean and Kriss McKaig who are nursing long term injuries for company, along with Jamie Duncan who is suspended.

There’s also a question mark at Paul Ireland who has a hamstring problem, he may have a late fitness test. Manager Ross Graham lists a couple of trialists and will make a late selection.

Coupar Angus are at home to Downfield in the North league and manager Barry Britton expects to have the three players who missed last week’s game back in his squad – goalkeeper Dougie Toms, Duncan McLean and Andy Murray.

Kevin Smith is doubtful with a knee injury and may miss the game, he is likely to have a late fitness test. Barry Britton expects to have a squad of 17 or 18.

KINNOULL are prepared to listen to offers for their midfield/forward Steve McManus who was at one time on St Johnstone’s books. All enquiries regarding the player should be directed to Kinnoull secretary Graeme Chalmers, tel 01738 630326.

Luncarty have placed midfield forward Noel Meechan and Fraser Mills, midfield defender, on the open to transfer list. The Bleachers boss Mark Christie would prefer a player exchange deal although no other arrangement would be ruled out. Enquiries to Mark Christie at 07958032608.

Dundee North End have placed their Perth based midfield/forward Richard Wheeler on the open to transfer list. All enquiries to North End boss Davie Martin at 07522443683.

LUNCARTY manager Mark Christie would like to hear from any coach that would like to join him at Brownlands Park, tel 07958032608.

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

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

North League – Coupar Angus v Downfield, kick offs 1.45pm.