JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY APRIL 8

Apr 8 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BLAIRGOWRIE and Bankfoot are involved in the GA Cup quarter finals and have tough hurdles to surmount if they are to move forward to the semi-finals.

But they are both recognised as good cup sides and are likely to be keenly contested encounters.

Blairgowrie are at home to Violet, who are third from the top of the table and three points ahead of their hosts.

This is their second visit to Davie Park. They were there in a league game earlier in the season and in a closely contested encounter Blair won by the odd goal in five.

Skipper Mark Brash was the Blair hero in that win as he scored all three goals with a hat-trick of headers.

Blair have made it to this stage in the cup with a home win over Brechin Vics and an away win over north side Hillhead. They will have forwards Jamie Duncan and Euan Murray back (both unavailable last week). Only doubt is Mark Christinson, who came off with an injury in last week’s game. The news from the Blair camp is very encouraging and Bankfoot who have accounted for Coupar Angus and North Region Super League side Dyce en route to the quarter finals are away to Broughty who are a Premier League side and the fact they are at home puts them into the category of favourites.

Bankies are a side most clubs would be happy to avoid in cup ties as they are adept at producing cup shocks. There is also the fact they are having their best season in a long time.

Broughty, who incidentally Bankies will face up to again in the East of Scotland Cup, are managed by Kenny Cameron jnr.

This is their first season in the Premier League.

Their form has been up and down and this was much in evidence last week when they were thrashed at home by St Andrews to the tune of 7–2 after having ousted Super League side Bonnyrigg from the East of Scotland Cup the previous week.

They are currently on the fringes of the relegation zone with 14 points from 12 games.

Kinnoull are aware they will have to win their remaining four games if they are to retain what are now their very slim prospects of avoiding being relegated and they will have to start by finishing with the three points from tomorrow’s home game with Ballingry.

Manager Gavin Price found it hard to countenance that his team finished empty handed in last week’s game as he felt they should have had the points wrapped up by the interval.

Tomorrow, he will have much the same squad, which is expected to number 17, there will be one personnel change as Adam O’Conner injured a foot in last week’s game and is ruled out.

On the plus side striker Alec Bone returns after suspension.

The Fifers consider themselves to be still in contention for at least the second promotion place.

They have 25 points and eight games left to play so they can’t be ruled out of the equation, but would have to be considered as outsiders. Like their hosts they can’t afford any slip ups and this certainly has all the ingredients to make it a very keenly contested encounter for the precious points at stake.

Ballingry’s away record is poor. Of the five games they lost, four have been away from home. They beat the transfer deadline to sign forward Scott Lawrie from Kelty Hearts in an attempt to boost chances of finishing in a second promotion spot.

Coupar Angus are at home to Downfield who are one of the teams tipped as prospective league champions. They are currently in the second top spot.

Alan Robson is happy with the attitude of his players and he feels if they could get a win under their belt it would be a terrific boost for them.

His hand has been strengthened for this game with the return of three players who were unavailable last week.

They are defenders John Cairney and Aly Townsley along with midfield forward Ryan Valentine. Robson intends to field trialists in the remaining games and he intends to have two or three on board for this game, he will make a late selection.

Scone Thistle are at home to Lochgelly Albert who are one of the clubs very much in contention for the championship. They are currently third in the table, Thistle have sprung one or two surprises at Farquharson Park this season and maybe they will do just that again in tomorrow’s game.

Thistle boss Alan Cameron has made new signings – Steven Gardiner, who is a midfield forward and this will be Stevens second stint with the Thistle and Derek Mathieson, who is a fullback, has been signed from Jeanfield Amateurs, after a successful trial.

Both are in the squad for this game.

It’s not all good news from the Scone camp as Max Smith is out with an injured ankle while Gary Crockett and Craig Jack are unavailable.

Manager Alan Cameron’s problems may not stop there as he will have to await late fitness tests on Kenny Hynd and Ray Mitchell who are both being treated for hamstring injuries. Little wonder the Scone boss says it will be a late selection.

Luncarty were are at home to Newburgh in midweek and they went down to the Fifers, who finished with nine men on the park, by 6–0.

Tomorrow they are at home again with Steelend Vics as their visitors. Manager Mark Potter hasn’t announced a squad for this game.

The Bankfoot/Jeanfield Swifts midweek clash at Coronation Park saw the Bankies extend their undefeated league run to 11 games when they won this high scoring encounter.

Bankies took the lead in the first minute with a goal from Craig Mailer then Swifts went on to take the lead with goals from John Anderson in 10 minutes and Mike Gow three minutes later. By the interval the Bankies had swept into a two goal lead with goals from Bally Whytock, Gavin Mackie from the penalty spot and David Fyfe.

Craig Mailer with his second strike of the game increased the Bankies lead to 5–2 in 55 minutes.

Swifts fought back and in 75 minutes Steve McManus brought them back into the game with a terrific volley from close on 30 yards to make it 5–3 and that’s how the game finished.

Jeanfield are away to Dundonald and with one or two players getting treatment for knocks picked up in midweek manager Scott Brown delays his selection.

Kinnoull are hosting a sportsman’s dinner on Saturday, May 7. Enquiries regarding tickets should be directed to Chris Jones on 07940814370.

TOMORROW fixtures: GA Cup quarter finals – Blairgowrie v Dundee Violet; Broughty Athletic v Bankfoot Athletic.

Premier League – Kinnoull v Ballingry.

Central League – Scone Thistle v Lochgelly Albert; Luncarty v Steelend Vics; Dundonald Bluebell v Jeanfield Swifts.

North League – Coupar Angus v Downfield.

All kick off’s – 2.30pm.

Midweek results: Central League – Bankfoot 5, Jeanfield Swifts 3; Luncarty 0, Newburgh 6.