Talbot cup clash will boost the Bleachers
Luncarty boss sees benefits from stint in last 16 tie
Luncarty manager Jon Kelly hopes the club’s Scottish Cup experience can now have a positive effect on the league.
The Bleachers were knocked out of the competition at the last 16 stage on Saturday after falling to a 4-0 defeat against junior giants Auchinleck Talbot.
Kelly admits the better team won on the day and is now targeting a push up the North Division table.
“It was a proud moment for everyone involved,” Kelly said. “Not too many Perthshire teams can say they played in a last 16 tie in the Scottish Cup so these are memories that you can’t take away now.
“We now have to build on this as a club and that is what we intend to do. We will be looking to take some confidence into our league campaign and try and get us up the standings a bit.
“We will also be speaking to our squad about next season trying to extend a lot of contracts.
“We went down to Auchinleck knowing we were up against the odds. We tried to go there and frustrate them a bit and if we could have seen it out until half time at 0-0, I felt we would had a better chance.
“The most disappointing thing for us was with 30 minutes to go and 1-0 down, we were about to have a go at them, changing to 4-4-2.
“The two lads were stripped and ready to go but we lost a really sloppy goal just as we were going to change things.
“I have no complaints about the result though, we were beaten by the
Luncarty captain Jamie Reid (left) lines-up for the pre-match photo against Auchinleck Picture: Leroy/Luncarty JFC
better side on the day.”
Kelly praised the travelling support for backing the team and would love to see them make a return at Brownlands Park.
“I have to say a big thank you to all our supporters that travelled to Auchinleck on Saturday,” he said. “There were 150200 people who came down with us and when I spoke to a few they were saying they had a great day.
“That was pleasing to hear and I hope to see them more and more at Brownlands Park in the future.” JEANFIELD SWIFTS He netted the late equaliser to secure a vital point - but Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion was disappointed not to take all three.
The Perth squad had a 2-0 advantage against Broxburn at half-time courtesy of a double from forward Lewis Baker.
But the tables were turned after the break and Gunnion was required to knock home from a corner in the 86th minute to salvage a point, which lifts Swifts to third bottom of the Super League.
“The first 45 minutes was the best we’ve played all year and we hardly gave Broxburn a look in,” Gunnion said. “We deservedly led two nil at half time and in all honesty it could have been more.
“Lewis took both his goals well and the midfield were in total control of the game.
“However, we stressed at half time Broxburn were not done and they certainly proved that by coming back at us in the second half.
“It was a disappointing way to concede the first goal as it could have been prevented by better decision making in our part. Likewise the third goal.
“We weren’t helped by some extremely poor decisions by the official, both their first and third goals were offside, something which even their management were in agreement with.
“However we had opportunities to deal with the situation without relying on the officials.
“At 3-2 it seemed the game was lost but we showed determination to win a corner in the dying minutes and I managed to get in ahead of the keeper to knock the ball home.
“Performance wise, overall we played well but I’m very disappointed we didn’t win the game.
“We can see the capabilities of our team and just need to improve on the scrappy side of the game and play the percentages when defending at times.” SCONETHISTLE Scone Thistle jumped to the summit of the North Division on Saturday after brushing aside Lochore Welfare 5-2 at Farquharson Park.
Derek Lawson’s Jags headed into the contest knowing that a win would move them to the top of the table - and they made no mistake in doing just that.
Arran McKay got the ball rolling for Scone before trialist Martin Strachan doubled the lead in the 13th minute. Lochore pulled one back before halftime to create slight concern.
But after the break a double from striker Fraser Mills and an impressive solo effort from Ben Moffat secured the three points. KINNOULL Kinnoull battled to secure a 1-1 draw away at Lochee Harp on Saturday afternoon.
The Tulloch Park squad lined-up with two new signings, goalkeeper Richard Cargill and Dominic Blair, but found themselves trailing after only 10 minutes.
However, in the second half, the hosts were reduced to 10 men and Noull took advantage with Blair making an immediate impact to net the leveller near the end. BLAIRGOWRIE Blairgowrie brought their run of defeats to a halt at the weekend by picking up a point against East Craigie.
An own goal helped the east Perthshire side record a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, Coupar Angus were again left idle on Saturday. Their away game with Thornton Hibs was called off due to an unplayable pitch.