JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY APRIL 22

Apr 22 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

KINNOULL wind up their league programme when they play bottom of the table Thornton Hibs at Tulloch Park tomorrow ... although officially, it is Hibs who are the home team.

The Hibs ground, apart from hosting a few games, has been out of action for most of the season and, with their fixtures piling up and the pitch problems ongoing, they were instructed by the region to play their remaining home games on their opponents grounds.

It would be fair to say that it’s the first time Kinnoull have been the away team at Tulloch Park.

Kinnoull were at home to Broughty on Wednesday night and unfortunately they lost to the Ferry side 2–1, which was a bitter blow.

It leaves their hopes of staying in the Premier League hanging by the slenderest of threads.

Tomorrow’s game with Thornton is one they must win if they are to preserve those very slender hopes of staying in the Premier League.

Manager Gavin Price expects to have a squad of 16 or 17.

Gavin and his skipper Chris Webster both had to come off in the midweek game with injuries which they sustained in the first half and are ruled out of tomorrow’s Tulloch Park clash.

Blairgowrie have appointed James Lock to be head coach and in charge of team matters at Davie Park.

He takes over from previous manager Ross Graham who resigned a few weeks ago.

James, who is 26, hails from London and is studying for a sports degree.

He is the holder of a coaching B licence and recently had a stint as one of the Dundee FC youth coaches.

James has been delighted by the response he has had from the players at the training sessions and is looking forward to the challenge.

Tomorrow will be his first game in charge and it’s doubtful if he could have chosen a tougher baptism, as they take on one of the championship favourites Montrose Roselea at Davie Park.

The competition for the North League championship is very tight and the Roselea are one of a cluster of teams who are vying for this honour. They are currently in the second top spot in the table a point behind the leaders Downfield but with the advantage of a game in hand.

Roselea, who lost at home last week, are well aware they are on dangerous territory at Davie Park and a successive defeat would certainly further dent their chances in the race for the championship.

Roselea will again be without Calum Rae who is nursing a knee injury, they expect to travel with a very strong 19 man squad.

A win in this game would be a terrific start for the new boss and it would also avenge the 1–0 defeat Blair suffered in the corresponding fixture at Broomfield earlier in the season.

Blair had no game last Saturday and it has given one or two of their players who were nursing knocks the chance to get over them. Jim Lock said: “We have had a couple of stiff training sessions and all our players are fit and like myself are looking forward to tomorrow’s game. I will have a full squad available.”

Scone Thistle entertain Luncarty and the Thistle, after two successive wins, had hopes of making it three on the trot in their midweek game with Bankfoot but they lost 4–0 to the Bankies.

They will be looking to get back into the winning vein in tomorrow’s game.

Thistle boss Alan Cameron hasn’t named a squad as one or two of his players picked up knocks in midweek and it’s a case of waiting to see how they are so it’s a late selection from the Scone camp.

Luncarty have only had one win so far this season and that was on their last visit to Farquharson Park when they beat Thistle in the League Cup since then unfortunately it has been all downhill for the Bleachers.

They may still be without their forward Angus Wilson who sustained a knee injury when he collided with the goalkeeper in last week’s game.

Team boss Mark Potter said Angus is in the doubtful category but he hasn’t been ruled out and it could be a late decision as to whether or not he can be considered. It’s a late selection from the Bleachers who expect to have a couple of trialists in their squad.

Jeanfield Swifts have lost their last three league games and the loss of those points ended their already outside hopes of remaining as contenders in the championship race.

Their failure to put away chances certainly played a big part in those damaging defeats.

Tomorrow they are away to Crossgates Primrose and they will certainly be expected to come home with the points from this game as the Primrose are in the lower reaches of the league table.

They were in action in midweek and lost to Lochore Welfare.

Swifts have had both Mark Gordon and Neil Gardiner back training. Mark has been out with a fractured toe while Neil was laid low with a virus and both are feeling no ill effects and will be in the squad along with Bryan Scott who had his first outing last week after spell on the sidelines.

Bryan came on as a sub and manager Scott Brown said the striker has had no adverse effects.

Jamie Reid picked up a foot injury in last week’s game and is in the pretty doubtful category and he may have a late fitness test.

Scott Brown expects to have a squad of 16 or 17.

Bankfoot, after having their unbeaten league run ended last Saturday, certainly didn’t take long to return to the winning vein with a 4–0 win over Scone Thistle on Wednesday.

The Bankies are away to Lochore tomorrow and manager Ian Duff wasn’t in a position to name a squad for this game.

He will definitely be without Gavin Mackie (cracked ribs) and Mike Jarmuszewski (leg injury). David Fyfe is unavailable and Steven Moon, Chris Jones, Danny Dobbie and Bally Whytock, are in the doubtful category and may have late tests.

It’s not all bad news from the Bankfoot camp as on the plus side Mark Caldow, James McAinsh, Donald McDonald and Colin Fraser are all listed to return. It’s a late selection from Ian Duff.

Coupar Angus recently appointed manager Alan Robson saw his team have their best result in a long time when they held Kirrie Thistle to a 1–1 draw at Foxhall Park on Wednesday night. This was their first point in 12 games.

Mark Deuchar was the Coupar scorer midway through the first half with a great 25 yard strike and they held this lead until the 67th minute when Kirrie got their equaliser.

Coupar have a very tough away game tomorrow as they take on Violet who are one of the sides in contention for the championship. Coupar will have a squad of 15 or 16 for this Glenesk clash.

Midweek matches

KINNOULL had a disappointing first half in their home game against Broughty Athletic as they were two goals behind to the Ferry side by the 25th minute. Graham Dailly scored both goals. They also lost their player/manager Gavin Price and skipper Chris Webster with injuries before the interval.

To their credit they came battling back in the second half and reduced the leeway in 71 minutes with a well taken goal from Gary Fraser but despite a lot of pressure the equaliser evaded them.

The Bankfoot–Scone Thistle game at Coronation Park was virtually over as a contest by the interval as the Bankies were 3–0 ahead with goals from Billy Carle, Bally Whytock and a trialist. Scone strived hard to get back into the game but Bankies finished 4–0 winners. Iain Wilkie was the goal scorer in the 71st minute.

Bankfoot’s Glen Millar was red carded in the final minute after picking up a second yellow card.

TOMORROW’S fixtures: Premier League – Kinnoull v Thornton Hibs.

Central League – Scone Thistle v Luncarty; Lochore Welfare v Bankfoot Athletic; Crossgates Primrose v Jeanfield Swifts.

North League – Blairgowrie v Montrose Roselea; Dundee Violet v Coupar Angus.

Kick off – 2.30pm.

MIDWEEK results: Premier League – Kinnoull 1, Broughty Athletic 2.

Central League – Bankfoot Athletic 4, Scone Thistle 0.