JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA FRIDAY MAY 27

May 27 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SCONE THISTLE have wasted no time in appointing a successor to Alan Cameron who has moved to Newburgh.

They have appointed their former manager Eddie O’Conner as the new man in charge and he takes up the reins with immediate effect and has already had a meeting with the players.

Eddie has been Scone’s most successful manager since they returned to the Juniors from the youth division.

Alan Gray who was his assistant in his previous stint with the club and when they moved to Jeanfield Swifts returns to Farquharson Park again as the number two.

Eddie and Alan moved to Jeanfield for a couple of seasons after parting company from Swifts but they haven’t been involved for a couple of years despite having had a few offers.

However when the call came from the Thistle they accepted the offer to return to their former stomping ground.

Thistle Chairman Graeme Campbell said he was delighted Eddie, who stays within walking distance of Farquharson Park and has attended many of their home games in recent times, has accepted their offer to return as the team manager and the fact that Alan Gray is again to team up with him is a plus.

Kinnoull have had the unfortunate experience of being relegated from the Premier League although it was a pretty close call. Had they won another three points they would have probably beat the drop.

Despite being relegated Kinnoull Chairman Chris Jones was very upbeat about the teams prospects, he said: “While we were relegated there are many positives that should be taken into account.

Firstly our manager Gavin Price, who was appointed a few weeks after the end of last season, had the daunting task of having to virtually recruit a whole new squad from scratch.

He was ably assisted in this by assistant manager Duncan Robertson and they have proved to be very capable and have assembled what in the main is a pretty young squad which has shown a great deal of promise but took some time to gel.

It was in the first half of the season we dropped the points that caused us to be relegated.

The second half of the season has been much more positive and we have been playing attractive football and collecting points.

Had this form been reiterated in the first half we could have been well into the top half of the table.”

Kinnoull are likely to join the other four Big County sides in the Central League and Chris Jones and his committee will be going all out to give Gavin Price, his assistant Duncan Robertson and coaches Gavin Tinley and Alec Bone the support they deserve.

Gavin Price has re-signed most of last season’s squad and expects to add a few other signings that he has in his sights in the next few weeks.

A final comment from Chris Jones was: “The committee are confident that the future of the team is in very good hands for what looks like being a very exciting season in prospect.”

Central League Reports

Lochore Welfare 3

Luncarty 0

LUNCARTY found themselves a goal behind in the first minute of the game at Lochore when a cross into their penalty box was met by Lennie Wilson who headed past the keeper to get his side off to a flying start.

Luncarty strived hard to get back into the game but goals from Brett McGuire in 27 minutes and Paul Duncan 10 minutes later gave the Fifers a comfortable 3–0 lead at the interval.

Luncarty had much of the play in the second half but failed to make an impression on their opponents lead. Johnny Bee missed a penalty for the Bleachers a few minutes before the final whistle and Lochore’s 3–0 lead at the interval remained intact.

North League Reports

Lochee Harp3

Blairgowrie 4

THIS Harp versus Blairgowrie Beechwood clash produced a seven goal thriller.

Blairgowrie’s prospects certainly didn’t look too good after the first 12 minutes as they trailed 2–0, Darren Lees and Mike Gormley were the scorers.

Blair however came storming back and in 16 minutes their trialist striker pulled one back when he beat the keeper from 10 yards with a well struck shot and he was on the mark again when he made it 2–2. The keeper could only parry a cross into his goalmouth and the ever alert striker was on the spot to head the ball past him into the back of the net.

Blair were dealt a real blow on the stroke of half time when their goalkeeper was red carded after being involved in an incident with an opponent.

Steven Findlay was taken off to allow sub keeper Mark Mackie to come on.

Blair found themselves 3–2 behind in 61 minutes but the never say die 10 men didn’t take long to once again get back on level terms with a goal from Ryan Menzies.

In 78 minutes their irrepressible trialist striker completed his hat-trick when he made it 4–3 for Blair and this proved to be the winner.

The GA Cup final between Broughty Athletic and North End takes place tomorrow (Saturday), at Downfield Park, kick off – 3pm.

MIDWEEK results in the ACA Sports Leagues: Central League – Lochore Welfare 3, Luncarty 0.

North League – Lochee Harp 3, Blairgowrie 4.