Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McCunnie may look to ‘freshen up’ Broughty
AFTER reflecting on an openingday defeat by Downfield, Broughty Athletic manager Jamie McCunnie will be looking for a big improvement when Blairgowrie check into Whitton Park tomorrow.
He said: “Our performance against Downfield was extremely poor and there is no doubt the better side won.
“We were passive, slack in possession and failed to defend our box with any pride.
“In short we got what we deserved and it’s maybe time to freshen up the side.
“We will certainly have to be better against Blair, who are a hard-working side.
“Mark Brash has them well organised and they held us to a 1-1 draw when we played them in a recent friendly.”
Sean Diamond and Jamie Reid are both doubtful and face late fitness tests.
East Craigie will have the honour of playing the first official competitive match at Lochee Harp’s new ground.
Sean Reekie, Andy McDonald and Rory Faulkner all missed the Shipbuilders’ opening league game and, after the big win against Coupar Angus, co-managers Craig Brown and Sean Wilkie may be tempted to say ‘same again’, particularly as the game will be played on an artificial surface.
Brown believes Harp have the advantage of playing at home and, having played friendlies on the synthetic pitch, can adapt quickly.
It will be an interesting contest between two young sides eager to lock horns.
Harp boss Jay Smart was happy with the performance at Forfar last week despite a 1-0 defeat but accepts this will be a tough game against a Craigie side who will be confident after their opening-day win. The Beechwood side will make a late selection.
North End and Violet lock horns at North End Park.
Dokens boss Tony McAulay has told his players they must get off to a fast start.
He said: “We looked shell shocked in the first half at Brechin but fortunately we looked much more solid in the second half.
“We have addressed the first-half performance with the players and I will be looking for a much better start against a Violet side who are well organised under Andy Heggie and we will have to be at our best to get a result.
“We have a full pool available but I am contemplating a few changes to last week’s starting eleven.”
Violet, meanwhile, will go to North End with a fair degree of confidence after their openingday win against Forfar United and have a full pool available.