Scramble to secure first-round cup ties

Sep 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW’S fixture list is dominated by the East of Scotland Cup first round ties, which is the east regions major trophy.

The draw when it was made wasn’t kind to the Perthshire sides as only two of them were fortunate enough to get home ties.

They are Kinnoull who take on Blairgowrie at Tulloch Park and Jeanfield Swifts who entertain Dundonald Bluebell at their Riverside ground.

Bankfoot would seem to have the toughest task as they have to face up to the formidable Lothian’s side Bonnyrigg Rose who were last season’s runners-up in this competition.

Luncarty are also down in the Lothian's.

The Bleachers are guests of Stoneyburn who play in the south league.

Scone Thistle and Coupar Angus make the trip into the Kingdom. Thistle’s hosts are Kirkcaldy YM and Coupar have a difficult hurdle to overcome as their opponents are super league side Glenrothes.

Kinnoull and Blairgowrie are long time rivals who haven’t seen so much of each other since the leagues have been rearranged. They are however both in the premier league now so they will battle it out at least three times this season, with their two league games and tomorrow’s cup clash, with the possibility of further cup meetings.

Kinnoull – where defender Neil Gardiner is settling in well – will go into tomorrow’s clash as the favourites considering they have home advantage and their league form has been more impressive.

However it’s a cup tie and they can turn out to be quite a different ball game.

Blairgowrie come to Tulloch Park fresh from winning their first premier league points at the expense of Oakley.

The Riverside Park clash between Jeanfield Swifts and Dundonald Bluebell will no doubt be a keenly contested cup tie even although neither of them have been setting the heather on fire in their respective league programmes.

Swifts got off to a bright start in the central league as they finished on the winning side in their first two games, but they went on to lose their next two.

Dundonald have played four premier league games and they have only had one win accompanied by three defeats so their confidence won’t be too high.

The Bluebells will probably have been quoted as favourites for this game given their premier league status.

Swifts however have never been shy at overturning the odds especially when it comes to cup ties and Swifts are hoping to do so once again in tomorrow’s clash.

Swifts are again understrength with Steven Watt and Mike Waring, both picked up injuries in last week’s game, ruled out for tomorrow, as are Nial Cassiday, who is awaiting an operation and Gary Brock, recovering from an operation. Central defender Willie Simpson returns and Swifts boss Eddie O’Connor expects to have a squad of 16 available.

Bankfoot will have to cause a major upset if they are to move forward to round two.

Their hosts Bonnyrigg Rose have taken nine points from the three super league games they have played.

The Rose are three points behind the league leaders Linlithgow Rose but they have a game in hand.

Bankies will travel to New Dundas Park without their skipper Gary Campbell. Gary has had to pull out of the squad with a hamstring injury he sustained in last week’s game. Mike Dickson is still out with cracked ribs, Ali Sweeney and Craig Johnston have long term injuries, Colin Fraser and Gavin Macleod are unavailable. Bankies assistant manager Ian Duff is in charge as Robin Wood is unavailable. It will be a late selection from Bankfoot.

Luncarty boss Alan Williams is expecting to have his strongest squad for some time available for the game against Stoneyburn.

Stoneyburn after wallowing in and around the foot of the south league table since its inception have got off to a much better start this season and are well into the top half of their league table.

Coupar Angus have had an excellent start in their league campaign. They have taken seven points from the four games they have played and are said to be growing in confidence with every game played.

Coupar recently secured the transfer of Jacek (Jazz) Rusznica from St Andrew’s. Jazz is a striker and he scored his first goal for Coupar last week, however he is unavailable for tomorrow’s game.

Coupar will unfortunately be without two of their most experienced players, Georgie Grier and Jim Henry, both injured. On the plus side midfiel/forward Steven Williamson returns to the squad which should number 17.

Glenrothes have already made it to a final, they met Hill o’ Beath in the ACA Sports League Cup final and the Glens have four points from the three super league games they have played.

Scone Thistle will be quite understrength for their tie with Kirkcaldy YM. Definite nonstarters are Craig Stephen and Callum McKinlay, both injured. there are also doubts about Dave Routledge and Alan Cameron who picked up knocks in last week’s game. They may have late fitness tests to decide whether or not they can be considered. Mark Hamilton is unavailable. It will be a late selection from Derek Adam.

Kirkcaldy YM have been going great guns in the league as they have taken 12 points from the four league games they have played. Their last two victory’s have been at the expense of Perthshire clubs.

Blairgowrie have added another coach to their back room staff, Grant Mackie. Grant has been coaching in youth football for some time now but he has decided to move up to junior football.

Perthshire Juniors

TOMORROW’S fixtures: East of Scotland Cup first round – Jeanfield Swifts v Dundonald Bluebell; Kinnoull v Blairgowrie; Bonnyrigg Rose v Bankfoot; Stoneyburn v Luncarty; Glenrothes v Coupar Angus; Kirkcaldy YM v Scone Thistle.

Kick off’s – 2.30pm.