Perthshire Junior football news

Feb 2 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE guarded optimism that had been aired about Saturday’s games if the frost that had been forecast returned was realised and it did so with a vengeance as the complete east region fixture list had to be called off and the Scottish Cup ties that were scheduled suffered the same fate.

The big problem is to try and keep the players focussed during such lengthy spells and in general this has been done with extra training sessions on a Saturday plus a sprinkling of friendlies.

The other problem that has had to be addressed by managers and has caused them quite a few grey hairs is trying to find facilities for training when they couldn’t train at their grounds due to the conditions, indoor facilities are at a premium and just about every club is chasing them.

Apart from the difficulty of finding a place to train whether its indoor or at some of the all weather pitches the costs can be hefty and with their income reduced with no games it’s certainly putting a strain on most clubs budgets.

The clubs, with the exception of Kinnoull, got games played the previous Saturday and no doubt thought they were back on track only to be disappointed.

Kinnoull were scheduled to play at Montrose Roselea’s Broomfield Park and it’s a pitch that has been playable for at least the last two weeks and there looked to be no problem until the heavy frost that prevailed over Friday night/Saturday morning kicked in. Roselea and Kinnoull agreed to a late inspection but it proved to be of no avail and Kinnoull were idle again.

Manager Scott Brown said: "We were bitterly disappointed when our game with Montrose Roselea had to be called off.

“It means in effect that we have not played a competitive game since December 5 which is probably as long a break as the close season if not longer."

Scone Thistle and Bankfoot, who were due to play at Thistle’s RDM ground, also agreed to hold a late inspection which would allow the match referee to make the decision but again it resulted in no game.

Jeanfield Swifts had earlier in the week agreed that their game against Dundonald should be switched to the Fife club’s Moorside Park but once again the elements caused the game to be called off.

Jeanfield Swifts manager Murray McDowall earlier in the week completed the signing of two new players who were on East Fife’s staff. They have joined Swifts on a loan agreement.

The players are Johnie McCrae, a defender and Darren Thomson, who plays in the midfield. Murray said of his two new recruits: "I am delighted to get them on board as they are both promising youngsters who will add depth to our squad and I have no doubt they will make their mark."

Jeanfield after their game was cancelled managed to arrange a friendly with East Fife on the Kinross all weather pitch and they performed well although going down by 4–1 to the Methil side who fielded most of their first team players including player manager Steve Crawford. David Thornton was the Swifts goal scorer.

The draw for the Scottish Junior Cup fifth round took place on Friday. Unfortunately none of the big counties clubs were involved and it resulted as follows:

Whitletts Victoria or Forfar West End v Linlithgow Rose; Renfrew or Tayport v Newtongrange Star; Hill ‘o Beath or Arthurlie v Shotts Bon Accord; Bathgate or Glenrothes v Bo'ness United; Auchinlec v Clydebank; Lochee United v Beith or Maryhill; Largs Thistle v Kirkintilloch RR; Irvine Meadow or Annbank v Cambuslang or Rutherglen or Johnstone Burgh.

Ties to be played on February 13.