Perthshire Junior football round-up

May 14 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BANKFOOT were away to Violet, the north league leaders, on May 10 and got off to a great start in the Three Fifties Cup clash when Alan Stewart fired them ahead with a 22-yard free-kick after just five minutes.

Twelve minutes later, the game was all square when Violet replied with an almost identical set-piece from Ross Lunan, and the same player put his side ahead with just a few more minutes on the clock.

Two further goals from George Duncan and Darren Bonella gave the Pansies a comfortable 4–1 lead at the interval.

The Bankies had a much better second-half and created a number of chances but all they had to show for their efforts was a second goal from Alan Stewart on 85 minutes, which was too little too late.

Scone Thistle were at home to Jeanfield Swifts in the Central League and, for a second successive game, Alan Cameron was in charge of the Thistle team.

This game got off to a quick-fire start, with Swifts taking the lead after only two minutes when John Anderson met with a cross from Tony Holt and with his head steered the ball into the corner of the net.

Thistle shrugged-off this setback and they surprised the Swifts by getting back on level terms after just four minutes, when a long cross from their left wing was nodded past the Swifts keeper from close range by Gerard Kelly.

Swifts restored their lead in 28 minutes when Sean Fergus picked up the ball just inside the Thistle penalty box and he held off a challenge and proceeded to crack the ball past keeper Steve McKinnie from around 14 yards.

A few minutes before the interval a cross from the Thistle right wing into the Swifts goalmouth wasn't cleared and was met by Andy Smith who promptly knocked the ball into the back of the net to make it 2–2.

The second half remained goalless and it looked like the game was going to finish all square until a last ditch attack from the Thistle saw the ball played into the Swifts penalty box. Goalkeeper Mark Mitchell came off his line and fouled an opponent in his attempt to get to the ball and conceded a needless penalty.

Gerard Kelly was entrusted with this crucial spot kick which he fired into the back of the net to chalk up his sides first win in quite a few weeks and it sent Swifts home with their championship hopes now pretty much at an end.

Bankfoot were back in action on Wednesday, they along with Luncarty were down in the Kingdom chasing points.

Dundonald were the Bankies opponents while the Thistle were guests of Thornton Hibs.

Fortunes certainly fluctuated throughout the Dundonald–Bankfoot game. Bankies went ahead after 15 minutes when a cross from the right was headed back across the goal and was met by Gary Campbell.

The centre-half had come up in support of his attack and he powered a header into the back of the net for what was a well-taken goal.

There was more joy for the Bankies on the half hour mark when one of their quite numerous trialists was brought down in the penalty box and Gavin Mackie converted the resultant spot kick to put them 2–0 ahead.

Dundonald got themselves back into the game with a goal from Graham Mills on 35 minutes and, 10 minutes into the second-half, Mills scored again, this time from the penalty spot to make it 2–2.

Derek Lawson put the Fifers 3–2 in front on 75 minutes and this goal looked as if it was going to earn them the points, but the never-say-die Bankies mounted a last ditch attack with the game going into stoppage time and a trialist grabbed the equaliser to earn them a deserved share of the spoils.

Luncarty had a reasonable first-half against Thornton Hibs, who are now the favourites to finish the season as champions.

The Bleachers, after going behind on 13 minutes to a Ross Morgan goal, levelled the game when Darren Wilcox scored with a penalty and, a few minutes before the interval, Morgan was on the mark again to make it 2–1.

Thornton more or less finished the game as a contest with a three-goal burst in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Coco Mullen scored twice and Adam Doig netted the other.

Jordan Brown netted a late consolation second goal for the Bleachers.

Blairgowrie were at home to Kirrie Thistle in the Three Fifties Cup and, in a hard-fought clash, they were held to a 1–1 draw, but went on to win the ensuing penalty shoot out 5–3.

Blair went a goal behind after 15 minutes, Dave Millar was the Kirrie scorer. They got back on level terms on 30 minutes when Richie Robertson met with a cross from Mark Pirie and beat the keeper at the far post.

The second half-turned out to be a rather dour struggle which produced no further goals.

The season is beginning to wind down at least for a number of clubs and it has resulted in a much-curtailed fixture list. There are only four games planned for May 15 and are all in the Central League.

Scone Thistle, after their terrific win over Swifts in midweek, are at home again and take on Newburgh, who are two points behind them in the league table.

The Fifers too had a shock result in their last game when they held Thornton Hibs, the league leaders, to a draw last Saturday.

This could be an interesting encounter.

Alan Cameron, Thistle’s veteran striker, has been in charge of Thistle since they parted company with their manager and was obviously delighted with their performance on Wednesday night.

Alan would have been happy to have the same squad available tomorrow but it isn't possible.

His two recognised goalkeepers, Steve McKinney and David Winton, are unavailable and a trialist is listed to take over.

Also unavailable are Andy Smith and Craig Jack. Sam Stewart, Thistle’s most recent signing, didn’t play in the midweek game as he is nursing an injury and is again ruled out for tomorrow’s game.

On the plus side, Greg Zakzec and Aly Vannet return and there is likely to be a couple of trialists in the squad.

It’s a late selection from Alan Cameron.

Bankfoot are away to Thornton Hibs, still favourites to finish as the champions, although they are still a few points short of the number required to clinch this honour.

Bankies, who were without goalkeeper Mike Whyte and defender Jamie McAinsh, on Wednesday night could have them both back.

Whyte missed the game because of an injury and may have a late fitness test while McAinsh was unavailable.

Manager Ian Duff will make a late selection and may include trialists in his squad.

Luncarty are at home to Steelend Vics who are in a mid-table position. The Bleachers boss Mark Potter was most unhappy with his teams showing at Thornton in midweek and has said he will demand a much improved performance from his players in tomorrow’s game.

Mark who will make a late selection will be without Neil Ritchie (unavailable) and Dean Howie (long term injury).

On the plus side Craig Wallace, out for some weeks due to an injury, may return and there may also be a trialist in the squad.

Jeanfield Swifts are away to Lochore Welfare and manager Murray McDowall will have Bally Whytock back from suspension along with Darren Thomson and Gordon Brise, who were unavailable midweek.

There will be a number of changes for tomorrow.

A blow for Swifts is that defender Nial Cassidy has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.

Scone Thistle are inviting applications for the post of team manager. All enquiries should be directed to Scott Stewart on 07990 953576 or Graeme Campbell, 07745 12200 and will be dealt with in strict confidence.

Tomorrow's fixtures in the Bukta Teamwear.com Leagues:

Central League – Luncarty v Steelend Vics; Scone Thistle v Newburgh; Thornton Hibs v Bankfoot Athletic; Lochore Welfare v Jeanfield Swifts.

Kick off's – 2.30pm.

Midweek results – Scone Thistle 3, Jeanfield Swifts 2; Dundonald Bluebell 3, Bankfoot Athletic 3; Thornton Hibs 5, Luncarty 2.

Three FiftiesCup second round – Violet 4, Bankfoot Athletic 2; Blairgowrie 1, Kirrie Thistle 1 (Blair won the penalty shoot out 4–3).