Logan’s men are up for derby challenge
Coupar boss ready for clash with Blair
Coupar Angus manager Logan McConachie always senses the buzz across east Perthshire when derby day comes around.
And, this weekend, the Foxhall Park side are planning to bump themselves up the North League standings with a win against rivals Blairgowrie.
McConachie knows his men will be up for the challenge and said: “A local rivalry is always a good game to be involved in, even if you are not from the area.
“When you’re wearing the tracksuit in the shops or even at the training ground, there is always a willingness from others for you to get one over on the rivals.
“In terms of preparation we’ll treat it like every other game and we’re fortunate that we’ve had plenty information on Blairgowrie the last month so hopefully we can play to our strengths and get a positive result.”
Coupar drew 3-3 with Blairgowrie at Foxhall last season and McConachie added: “Anything can really happen and that’s been shown in the past two times we’ve played.
“We were unfortunate to only come away with a point from the last time we played so that message will be with the players come Saturday afternoon.”
Table-toppers Luncarty make the short trip to Dundee to face East Craigie this weekend.
And assistant manager at the Bleachers, Richie Montgomery, will be making sure there is full focus and no complacency.
The Brownlands Park men went to the summit of the table last week and the squad are desperate to remain on top of the pile.
“The mood in the camp is great but to be honest it has been all season,” Montgomery said. “The lads know it’s very early days and that there is a long way to go.
“It’s up to guys like myself, Jon and Danny to keep the lads focused and take each game at a time.
“It’s very important we remain focused as nobody wins leagues by October time.
“Obviously if we were asked about being top by mid-october we would say yes, but at the end of the day, we are still not half way.
“We certainly won’t take anything for granted and we know that promotion is the aim but a lot of football is still to be played.”
Montgomery reckons East Craigie, who sit eighth, will again prove to be tricky opposition.
He said: “I expect a tough game at the weekend if last season is anything to go by. We played them three times, drew twice and won the other game. “All games have been tight and I expect the same on Saturday. We must start the game well.
“I’m not really too sure about their season so far, we’re concentrating on ourselves to be honest and are taking each game as it comes.”
Elsewhere in the North League, Kinnoull will look to inflict a second successive defeat on second-placed Dundee Violet.
Victory in the city of discovery will see the Perth squad move to within one point of their hosts in the standings.
Scone Thistle, meanwhile, continue their push towards the top of the division with a trip to basement side Forfar Albion.
The Jags are only three points behind league leaders Luncarty and will have plans to keep the pressure on this weekend.
In the Super League, Jeanfield Swifts know that victory on the road will move them above this weekend’s opponents Carnoustie Panmure.
It is always a keenly contested game when Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus play in east Perthshire
A local rivalry is always a good game to be involved in ...