Shipbuilders looking to end year on a high

EAST Craigie will have two thoughts on their mind when they step out on to the pitch against Brechin Vics.

They want to finish the year as Premier League leaders and also complete the first half of the season undefeated.

It will be the first time the sides have met this season and few would bet against the Shipbuilders wishes being granted.

The visitors don’t have their problems to seek for this already tough assignment.

Three players – Jack Gribben, Morgan Smith and Adam Renilson – are suspended.

Additionally, holidays and illness impact heavily on the numbers available, so Vics boss Andy Davie will promote some of the U/19 squad who haven’t yet been involved this season.

Meanwhile, Violet boss Andy Heggie was happy with the 1-0 victory at Forfar Albion which ended a run of two defeats.

Heggie accepts he has a young squad and results might be i nconsistent. However, with more experience, he believes they will improve greatly.

The Pansies play hosts to Coupar Angus tomorrow and Heggie hopes they can bag another three points.

After defeating Harp last week, the Perthshire visitors expect to travel with a full squad.

Harp manager Michael Gormley is hoping he doesn’t lose any more players over the festive period.

Tomorrow they face second-top Blairgowrie in a game which has been switched to Thomson Park.

With only 10 players available, Gormley was struggling for a squad for last week’s game at Coupar. With Graham Allan and Brad Millar now free of suspension, however, he should be in a better position tomorrow.

The Berrypickers, who lost top spot last week, have a few players receiving treatment and will include two trialists in their squad.

Arbroath Vics host bottom-of-the-table Forfar Albion. Vics welcome back Mike Fotheringham while, other than Joe Gomez (working) and Owen Wilson (injured), Albion boss Steven Stewart has everyone else available.