JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY MARCH 25

Mar 25 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE weather has improved to the extent that tomorrow’s fixtures – which once again are all in the respective league programmes – appeared to be in no danger yesterday.

It’s derby day in the Central League at least as far as teams in this area are concerned, with Scone Thistle playing hosts to Jeanfield Swifts and Bankfoot at home to neighbours Luncarty.

Scone and Jeanfield have already met twice this season in the league cup and the league, both games were at the Swifts Riverside Stadium and Thistle were on the receiving end on each occasion, they presently trail their visitors by eight points in the league table.

Thistle were away to Crossgates last Saturday and were unfortunate to lose to a late goal. As yet manager Alan Cameron hasn’t named his squad but it will almost certainly be on the same lines as last week.

Jeanfield are chasing a win from this game that will keep them within touching distance of Oakley and Kirkcaldy YM who currently occupy the two top positions in the table.

Swifts’ last visit to Farquharson Park near the end of last season saw them suffer an unexpected defeat and they certainly will be mindful of that result and are aware that a recurrence would be extremely damaging to their prospects of remaining as contenders for the league title.

Swifts are again without central defender Sandy Ross and strikers David Thornton and Bryan Scott and now joining them on the sidelines is goalkeeper Mark Mitchell, who has a leg injury. Manager Scott Brown hopes to have a trialist in goal tomorrow.

Brown’s problems may not end there as Mark Gordon, who missed last week’s game with a foot injury and Arron Whitehead, picked up a knee injury in last week’s game, are both doubtful and may have late tests. It will be a late selection from the Swifts camp.

Bankfoot and Luncarty clash at Coronation Park and obviously Bankies are the favourites to finish with the points which is understandable given their relative positions in the league table.

Bankies have faltered in their last two league games which have each ended in draws and have cost them four precious points, however it will be one of the seasons major shocks if they fail to return to the winning vein tomorrow.

They go into this game with a squad of 16 or 17.

Luncarty will have Craig Rothey back in goal. Craig was unavailable last week and a trialist was to have taken over but he failed to appear. Midfield player Sean McAuley stepped into the breach and played well. Sean is more than happy to return to his accustomed role for tomorrow’s game.

The Bleachers boss Mark Potter expects to have Iain Rothey, his keeper’s brother, playing as a trialist in the centre of his defence and he is hopeful of having a new striker on board for this game. Dave Marnoch is still out with a knee injury. Mark Potter expects to have a squad of 17 or18 available.

Mark Slythe who plays up front has been released by the Bleachers.

The North League championship is very tight as at least half the teams are still in contention. Blairgowrie, who are in a mid table position and are seven points behind the leaders Downfield, certainly consider themselves still to be involved in the race for this honour which of course carries with it promotion to the Premier League.

Blair have Forfar Albion as their visitors to Davie Park and Albion are a much improved side from previous seasons.

They showed this to be so when they recently trounced one of the favourites for the championship Montrose Roselea by 4–0.

Blair will no doubt have noted this result, however they are still very much the favourites to take the points from this game which will keep them within touching distance of the league leaders.

The team news from the Blair camp is that they will have the same squad of 16 as did duty at Coupar Angus last week and won so convincingly, plus Paul Ireland.

Jamie Duncan is still out due to suspension.

Coupar Angus were dealt a blow last week when their manager resigned. This has unfortunately been followed by another departure, their chairman Alec Stuart has announced that he had decided to retire from this post with immediate effect.

Alec, who is well respected throughout football, has served Coupar as a committee man and as their chairman for close on two decades.

Alec said of his decision: “I had decided to go at the end of last season but stayed on. I feel now is an appropriate time to go as it will allow my successor time to settle in. I leave with many happy memories and my best wishes go to the club and my successor.”

Coupar take on Montrose Roselea, who are in the second top spot in the league table at Foxhall tomorrow and they will cause a major upset if they get a favourable result from this encounter.

So far there has been no team announcement from Coupar. Roselea will be at full strength if Sean Mustard, who is nursing an ankle injury, gets the all clear from a fitness test.

Kinnoull are away from home for a second successive week, they face Penicuik, who like themselves are battling relegation and are currently a place and a point below Kinnoull in the league table.

Kinnoull had an excellent away win last week which hoisted them up the table a place and out of the relegation zone and if they can come home with the points from tomorrow’s clash it would be another step towards safety.

It would also avenge the defeat they suffered in the corresponding fixture at Tulloch Park in the early part of the season.

Kinnoull boss Gavin Price expects to have the same squad that did duty in last week’s game at Whitburn. Jordan Timmins suffered a fractured nose in that game but such is his enthusiasm to help his team in their fight against relegation he said he is fit and has been included in the squad for this game.

Gavin Price will have noted that Penicuik had what they will no doubt consider their best result of the season last week, which was an away win over Super League side Lochee United in the East of Scotland Cup.

The Lothians side dangermen are their strikers Jonnie Harvey and Charlie Brigaine who have netted 27 goals between them this season.

Blairgowrie have not appointed a manager to succeed Ross Graham and they ask any interested parties to contact the secretary Mike Coyle at 07764 156332 or chairman Billy Mackay at 01250 874244.

Luncarty are a 125 years old this year and they intend to hold a number of events to celebrate this occasion. They invite any former players or anyone who had a connection with the club and would like to attend to contact secretary Brian White, tel 01738 827664 and leave their name and contact telephone number.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the ACA Sports Leagues:

Premier League – Penicuik v Kinnoull.

Central League – Scone Thistle v Jeanfield Swifts; Bankfoot Athletic v Luncarty.

North League – Blairgowrie v Forfar Albion; Coupar Angus v Montrose Roselea.

All kick off’s – 2.30pm.