Confident Swifts boss says team can edge it
RossupforSauchieclash
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion is confident of bagging three points against Sauchie – if his players show their determined edge.
The Perth boss has watched his side train with intensity this week ahead of Saturday’s Super League clash at the Riverside.
Gunnion is hoping Swifts can nail down a victory to improve upon their current 12th place position.
He said: “Sauchie have a strong energetic team and we’ll need to match their work rate first and foremost. If we do that I’ve every confidence that the quality we have will come to the fore.
“Players like Daniel Kelly, Rhys Davies, Chris Scott and Gary Fergus can unlock any defence.
“We’ve trained well this week and there’s a determined mood in the camp. If we take that into Saturday’s game I’m confident we’ll get three points.
“I don’t like placing any more emphasis on one league game over the other to be honest. No matter who we play there are only ever three points up for grabs. This weekend is no different.
“This game marks a third of the way through the league season and I’m hopeful of seeing us sitting higher up the league come Saturday tea time.”
Swifts have been drawn to play Ayrshire side Whitletts Victoria away in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup.
Gunnion said: “Ideally we would have liked a home draw. We have, however, avoided drawing another Super League club so it gives us a good chance to progress.
“We’ll do our scouting on them over the next few weeks, but for now the focus is solely on league duty.”
NORTH LEAGUE
Luncarty manager Jon Kelly believes long-lost supporters are beginning to return to Brownlands Park.
The Bleachers sit second in the North League and welcome ninth-placed Arbroath Vics this weekend.
Boss Kelly is delighted to see greater numbers turning out to cheer on his squad – and he knows it makes a difference.
He said: “We always go into games looking to attack from the word go and, you never know, scoring a lot of goals come the end of the season may be the difference and a higher place in the league standings.
“I see a lot of faces returning now to watch our home games at Brownlands and this is a great boost for the team.
“I would like to thank the supporters for their backing. We aim to try and play a good attacking brand of football, so anyone coming along will hopefully come back as they enjoy what they see.”
Closing the gap on league leaders Dundee Violet is the aim on Saturday afternoon. But Kelly insists Arbroath will be no pushovers.
He said: “Arbroath have had a very up and down start to the season but I know with some of their results they can mix it with top teams.
“The squad know they are in for a very tough afternoon and we must prepare well for it in training this week.
“We must keep striving to get better as a team as that is the only way we will push our way to the top end of the table.
“Violet at the moment keep winning and by the sounds of things are also getting bits of luck along the way, so all we can do is try keep on their tails.”
Coupar Angus are looking to make amends for their defeat against bottom of the table Forfar Albion last weekend.
This Saturday the east Perthshire men are on home duty as local rivals Kinnoull, whose only doubt for the game is Tom Whyte, head to Foxhall Park.
Coupar manager Logan McConachie said: “The guys have identified what went wrong last week and we are ready to go again.
“Kinnoull have started well and we expect a competitive match. We will be focused on improving on last weekend’s performance and looking to get back to winning ways.
“We’ve got a few new lads joining us in the next couple of weeks to give us a greater competition for places too.”
Coupar were pulled out of the Scottish Junior Cup hat on Wednesday and face a second round clash away at Montrose Roselea.
McConachie said: “It’s always good to test ourselves against a Super League side. Anything is possible at the end of the day.
“We’ve also been drawn against Dunbar United in the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup, so we’ll have a couple of interesting games on our hands.”
Gunnion believes players like Chris Scott and Rhys Davies can unlock any defence
The second Perthshire derby of the weekend sees Blairgowrie host Scone Thistle at Davie Park.
Scone welcome Craig Mitchell and Max Avolio back into their squad but keeper David Winton will be missing.
Expecting to be out for Blair are Gordon Pirie, Robbie Hood and Stefan Brown. Gordon Norrie is suspended.