Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Top-two clash could be decider
IN the Doc Ferry’s Premier League, it’s a two-horse race between Hilltown Hotspurs and Doc’s Hibernia.
They are tied at the top with identical records, seven games to play, and a 10-point cushion over the chasing pack.
Their clash tonight at the university has a league decider look.
Both won twice in the past week, Doc’s beating Hawkhill 2-0 followed by a 3-0 triumph over DUSC.
Hilltown’s 6-1 win over DC Athletic set them up nicely for the weekend where they led Dryburgh 6-1 with half-an-hour to play.
A couple of goals got Dryburgh back in the game and, with five minutes to play, they netted twice more to make it 6-5 and have the Hilltown sideline screaming for the whistle as Dryburgh piled on the pressure.
’Burgh had come back form 3-0 down in midweek to snatch a point against Fintry in a 3-3 draw.
DC Athletic climbed off bottom spot, but remain in the drop zone, after winning 4-2 against Riverside CSC despite having a man sent off in the first 20 minutes.
The Candystripes keeper, ‘Goggles’ Perrie, saved the resultant penalty to keep them level.
Despite less numbers, their efforts were rewarded with a win to take them within four points of safety with a game in hand.
Park Tool have built a reputation of never knowing when they are beaten
They defied Hawkhill, who led 3-1 at one point, to win 5-3.
No one seems safe from relegation bar the top two.
In the Balgay Bar First Division, Cairdy Thistle’s lead at the top was whittled down to one point when they lost 2-1 to promotion rivals Ferry Mechanics.
Mechanics have a crucial game tonight against St James, who remain unbeaten, a point off top spot and with three games i n hand following a 6-1 win over Stobswell.
While Cairdy lost, they still know the St James result means they both are promoted into next season’s Premier Division.
Another point from their remaining six matches will also guarantee St James Premier football next season.
Monifieth Hurricanes dangerous slide towards the solitary relegation slot took another twist when they lost 6-1 to Club 83.
A brace apiece from Ally Gordon and Ryan White, plus one each from Mark Morris and Shaun Williamson, should be enough to keep Clubbie in the division given teams below them are sure to drop points playing each other.
This weekend’s clash between The Beat and Monifieth Hurricanes has the makings of a relegation decider.
It will be hard to see a way back for The Beat from bottom spot if they lose to Monifieth.
In fact, a victory could see them saved, given the tough fixtures the bottom three are now facing in the final few weeks of the campaign.