JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY APRIL 1

Apr 1 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S fixtures are once again all in the respective league programmes.

Kinnoull are at home to Armadale Thistle and this Premier League game at Tulloch Park could certainly be construed as being a six pointer as both sides are battling the threat of relegation.

Only one point in Kinnoull’s favour separates them in the league table.

Thistle however have the advantage of games in hand so it’s even more crucial for Kinnoull’s chances of staying up that they finish with the points from this encounter.

Kinnoull boss Gavin Price found it hard to countenance the fact that his team came home from their away game at Penicuik last week with nothing to show for their sterling efforts especially as the Lothians side’s winner was scored in stoppage time.

He said: “When you are in a situation like ours the breaks seem to go against you.”

Gavin will have almost the same squad as did duty at Penicuik last week, only striker Alec Bone misses out as he is suspended.

Oakley are very much the favourites to finish as the Central League Champions at what is virtually the half way stage of the programme but there’s still a long way to go.

There are five or six clubs who consider themselves still in with a chance of challenging for this honour, with Bankfoot and Jeanfield Swifts two of the sides concerned.

The Bankies are the best placed and while they trail the leaders by 15 points they have five games in hand.

Bankies who dropped four points in two of their last three games returned to the winning vein last week and with only one defeat in 10 games they are obviously one of the front runners in the title race.

One of the obstacles they have to surmount is that they have quite a hefty programme in front of them. Apart from having played fewer league games than most of their opponents they are still involved in two major cup competitions.

Tomorrow they are away to Rosyth who trail them by nine points from three more games played.

Manager Ian Duff has no problems and he will have the same squad tomorrow that accounted for Luncarty last week.

Jeanfield Swifts are at home to Lochore Welfare in the Central League and they will be chasing the points from this game that will help sustain their challenge in the championship stakes.

Swifts while they are outsiders certainly can’t be ruled out even although they trail the leaders by 13 points considering they have two games in hand and they still have to play them and the second top of the table Kirkcaldy YM.

With both those games due to be played at their Riverside Stadium and with half the league programme still to play who knows what will transpire.

It could yet prove to be a very interesting inward half.

Swifts are nine points better off than their guests Lochore and if form is any guide they should finish with the points. Missing from their squad tomorrow is goalkeeper Mark Mitchell and it’s expected that a trialist will take over.

Sandy Ross has resumed training but it’s doubtful if he will be considered ready to make a comeback and Bryan Scott is again ruled out with a hamstring injury.

On the plus side Mark Gordon has been back training and may return to the squad. Jamie Reilly is doubtful (fractured fingers) but he may have a late test.

It’s a late selection from manager Scott Brown.

Luncarty have the league leaders Oakley as their visitors at Brownlands Park and they would have to produce one of the seasons major shocks if they were to take anything from this game.

The Bleachers boss, Mark Potter, delays his selection as one or two of his players are having treatment for knocks picked up in last Saturday’s game.

Coupar Angus have appointed Alan Robson as their manager to succeed Barry Britton.

Alan is well known to the Coupar faithful having played with them for more than a decade and has been described as a great club man.

He was a coach with Blairgowrie until a few weeks ago but left along with manager Ross Graham. He previously coached Coupar under age teams.

Alan is under no illusions that he has a man-sized job on hand to revive Coupar’s fortunes.

He is looking forward to the challenge.

He will be in charge of the team for the first time in tomorrow’s game against East Craigie.

Alan reckons his first task is to try and steer Coupar away from the bottom of the league table where they are anchored at the moment.

He will make a late selection for tomorrow’s game against East Craigie who are a team that blow hot and cold and it will certainly be a good test for the new manager.

He expects to have a couple of trialists in his squad.

Blairgowrie are at home to Arbroath Vics who like themselves haven’t ruled out the possibility of finishing the season as champions.

Blair are a place and a point above the Vics in the table and if either of them have a chance to make up ground on the leaders for the race for the top spot they have to keep collecting points.

Blair will have the same pool tomorrow as did duty last week.

Arbroath Vics, who have had a lean spell in collecting points from recent games, haven’t named a squad. Their gaffer Jake Ferrier will make a late selection.

Scone Thistle are having a team day out to Edinburgh as they have no game tomorrow.

TOMORROW’S fixtures in the ACA Sports Leagues: Premier League – Kinnoull v Armadale Thistle.

Central League – Jeanfield Swifts v Lochore Welfare; Luncarty v Oakley; Rosyth v Bankfoot Athletic.

North League – Blairgowrie v Arbroath Vics; Coupar Angus v East Craigie.

All kick offs – 2.30pm.