PERTHSHIRE JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Feb 26 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THERE’S a mixed programme of league and cup encounters due to be played tomorrow.

News from around the grounds in midweek was fairly non-committal but by yesterday hopes of action had taken a dip.

Following heavy snow, pitch inspections will be a priority.

Luncarty have only won one game so far this season, away from home against Lochgelly Albert in the central league.

They did so by a very convincing 4–1 margin back in October, seemingly signally the Bleachers were on their way back.

Those proved to be false hopes, however, as they haven’t won a game since.

The Fifers are their guests at Brownlands Park tomorrow in the league.

The Bleachers will be going all out to complete the double and add to their points tally in the process.

The home side’s personnel has somewhat changed on and off the pitch since that last meeting.

Mark Christie has taken over as their manager and has recruited 10 new players who are all in the squad for tomorrow’s game along with a centre half trialist.

Bankfoot and Scone Thistle also have home games in the central league against teams from the kingdom. Bankies entertain Thornton Hibs while Dundonald are the visitors to the RDM ground.

As they are both very much involved in the race for the championship they will no doubt be desperate to leave for home with the three points.

They will however find that those are difficult venues to take any points from.

The Bankies have started to climb the league table and if they take the points from this game they could move up to a mid table position and that’s with less than half their league games completed.

This will be a very interesting and no doubt hard fought encounter.

Bankies boss Ian Duff will not have a full compliment of players available.

Gavin Mackie and Colin Fraser, will miss the game through injury while Steven Moon is having treatment for a back injury and is likely to have a late fitness test.

The better news from the Bankies camp is that goalkeeper Mike Whyte is back in the squad along with striker Charlie Bradshaw.

Both have been unavailable for some weeks.

It’s likely to be a late selection from Ian Duff.

Bankfoot and Thornton have agreed to switch the fixture to Thornton if Coronation Park is unplayable and Thornton’s Memorial Park is given the all clear.

Scone Thistle are just a step away from a mid table position and a win could see them move up a place.

While they trail their high flying opponents by a number of points manager Derek Adam is quietly confident his team can send them home empty handed.

And in doing so, they will take revenge for the 4–0 defeat they suffered in the corresponding fixture at Dundonald and even more important they will add three valuable points to their tally.

The Thistle boss is hopeful of having a full strength squad available.

Striker Alan Cameron returns and the only doubt is central defender Dave Routledge, shoulder injury, and is likely to have a late fitness test. Derek expects to have a squad of 16 or 17 available.

Kinnoull are away to Armadale in the premier league and it’s a tough one for Scott Brown’s team who are second from the top of the table, but as he always says every game in this league is difficult.

Kinnoull met Armadale in the first league game of the season and they won that Tulloch Park encounter by 1–0 and at the present time they are five points ahead of their Lothians hosts. Kinnoull will be at near full strength for this game with only Callum McKinlay missing due to damaged ankle ligaments.

They expect to travel with a squad of 16.

No doubt they will be very interested to get the result from the league leaders Forfar West End’s game with Ballingry who are third from the top and there’s little doubt that those two will be equally keen to hear the result from Armadale.

Coupar Angus entertain North End in the North League at Foxhall Park. The Dundee club are managed by Coupar’s former co-managers Derek Grier and Dave Martin and apart from wanting to finish with the three points Coupar boss Barry Britton would be delighted to put one over on his predecessors.

Coupar and their guests are both desperate to take the points to improve their league positions. Coupar are second from the bottom of the table while the Dundee side are just one place above them.

They both have nine points so there’s nothing between them.

Barry Britton has signed up six new players in the past three weeks but has yet to see them play in a game. Robbie Black has recovered from the foot injury he has been nursing and returns to the squad which is expected to number 18 or 19.

Blairgowrie take a break from chasing league points when they take on Hermes in the GA Cup at Davie Park and a win for Blair would see them progress to the quarter finals where another home tie awaits them if they win tomorrow.

Blair have always done well in this cup and they excelled last season by reaching the final in which they drew 2–2 with Aberdeen side Sunnybank only to lose out in the penalty shoot out.

They are hoping to go one better this season. Hermes play in their regions super league where they hold a mid table position.

Blair will be without Andy Dow, unavailable and Jamie Duncan, suspended. Ross Graham expects to have a squad of 16.

Jeanfield Swifts are away to Steelend Vics in the East of Scotland Cup and while the Vics results have improved this season Swifts will no doubt go into this tie as the favourites to move forward to the next round. Murray McDowell hasn’t named a squad.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues: Premier League – Armadale v Kinnoull.

Central League – Luncarty v Lochgelly A; Bankfoot v Thornton H; Scone Thistle v Dundonald B.

North League – Coupar Angus v North End.

East of Scotland Cup second round – Steelend Vics v Jeanfield Swifts.

GA Engineering Cup second round – Blairgowrie v Hermes (north region).

All kick off’s – 2.30pm.