JUNIOR FOOTBALL – PA Friday December 16

Dec 16 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AFTER last week’s bitter disappointment, when all but a few games were called off due to pitches being ruled unplayable, clubs have been nurturing high hopes they will get back into action tomorrow.

However, the weather this week, going by the early forecasts, is expected be a mixture of rain and frost and if that’s how it turns out then there is a distinct possibility that the fixtures will again be in danger.

If there are no games extra training sessions will be the order of the day and very often with the grounds frozen or waterlogged managers are trying to find indoor facilities which apart from being hard to come by are expensive.

Tomorrow, Jeanfield Swifts the Central League leaders are at home to Thornton Hibs and the form book would have to be turned on its head for them to finish with anything less than the three points from this game.

The Hibs are near the foot of the table with only six points from seven games and they certainly don’t have happy memories of their earlier visit to the Riverside in the League Cup and they were thrashed 9–0.

Assistant manager Barry Malcolm is in charge at the present time as Scott Brown is recovering from an operation.

Barry expects to have a near full squad available only John Kelly misses out as he is suspended.

Kinnoull, Bankfoot and Luncarty after a couple of idle weeks are all away from home and they are hoping it will be third time lucky.

Kinnoull are guests of Lochore Welfare who are in a mid-table position with 10 points from 10 games played. Form certainly favours Kinnoull to leave for home with the points as they are in the second top spot with 22 points from nine games played.

Lochore were one of the few teams whose pitch was playable last week and they celebrated by ousting Premier League side Ballingry from the East of Scotland Cup although it took a penalty shoot out to decide the tie in their favour.

They expect to have the same squad for tomorrow’s game.

Kinnoull will travel to Central Park with an almost full strength squad, only Callum McKinlay is still missing with the knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for a few weeks.

Bankfoot take on Dundonald Bluebell at Moorside Park and they will find the Fifers still smarting after dropping their first league points of the season last Saturday when they were held to a draw at this venue by Rosyth who are well into the lower reaches of the league table.

The Bankies would love to rub salt into the wound by leaving for home with a favourable result and if they were to do so it would avenge the 2–1 defeat they suffered when the teams met in the corresponding fixture at Coronation Park.

Bankies have two players in the doubtful category with injuries – David Fyfe (foot) and Ross Mitchell (hamstring) and the chances of them getting the all clear is said to be very good. Definite non starters are Jamie McAinsh (injured) and Jordan Brown (unavailable).

It’s a late selection from manager Ian Duff.

Dundonald welcome back Marco Pelosi and Blair Grubb to their squad but still in the doubtful category is defender Deane Drouge.

Luncarty have a real tough game as they are guests of championship contenders Lochgelly Albert and the fact that it’s at their Gardiners Park makes it even more so.

However the Bleachers who are anchored on the bottom of the table with four points which were earned in away games know full well they will have to buck the odds big time if they are to add to their points tally.

It’s a late selection from manager Mark Potter.

Lochgelly will be without their central defender Liam Catling but returning to the squad is Ruaridh McQeen who is a midfield /defender.

Newburgh are away to Crossgates Primrose and their chances of coming home from Humbug Park with the points have been enhanced as manager Alan Cameron has signed experienced defender Neil Ravenscroft from Steelend Vics.

Neil is in the squad for the trip to Humbug Park and Alan has high hopes of having two more signings on board and in his squad for this game. It’s a late selection from the Newburgh gaffer.

A further piece of good news is that Bruce McAdam who has been out for a lengthy spell with an injury has resumed light training and all going well should be fit to resume in a few weeks.

Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus are both at home in the North League.

Forfar Albion are the visitors to Davie Park and the Albion, who have four points which have all been earned from drawn games, are second from the bottom in the league table and are still without a win in the league.

They travel to Davie Park with a full strength squad of 17.

Blair will unfortunately be without their leading scorer David Salisbury who is sidelined with a back injury and three players – Mark Byrne, Matt Henderson and Greg McDonald have been under the weather with colds and will have to be considered doubtful.

A piece of better news is that Greg Ryder, who has been out with an injury for some weeks has been training and has shown no ill effects, is likely to return for tomorrow’s game.

Even if they are under-strength they can still finish with the points.

Manager John Holt delays his selection and no doubt he will be waiting to see how the players nursing the cold are feeling.

Coupar Angus still without a point are at home to Lochee Harp and they will still be without Ryan Valentine who has been out for a few weeks with an injury. Manager Alan Robson has a squad of 17.

The fourth round draw of the Scottish Cup took place yesterday (Thursday) and Kinnoull have been drawn away from home to west of Scotland side Lanark.

FIXTURES for tomorrow (Saturday) in the McBookies.com Leagues:

Central League – Jeanfield Swifts v Thornton Hibs; Lochore Welfare v Kinnoull; Dundonald Bluebell v Bankfoot Athletic; Lochore Welfare v Luncarty; Crossgates Primrose v Newburgh.

North League – Blairgowrie v Forfar Albion; Coupar Angus v Lochee Harp.

All kick offs – 1.45pm.