FOOTBALL Important time of season for Kelly

Luncarty manager Jon Kelly emphasised the importance of the run-in to Christmas as his side prepare for Carnoustie Panmure.

This Saturday’s trip to Angus is the only North Super League fixture on the calendar and is expected to be another close encounter.

Carnoustie currently sit top of the standings while Luncarty are placed in sixth having won three of their opening nine matches this term.

Confidence in the camp remains high, however, with Kelly sure his players have enough in the tank to return back to Perthshire with a maximum haul of points.

“We have played Carnoustie twice this season and both have been very close games so we know it will be a very tough game on Saturday,”he said.

“They will be in confident mood being at the top of the league, but we will go there and try our hardest to take something from the game.

“This is coming into an important part of the season and we are looking to pick up points as much as we possibly can throughout the winter months.”

Luncarty were without a game last weekend and, with that, Kelly is expecting to be able to name a strong and fresh squad.

“It was a welcome little break for us with injuries getting a bit more time to heal,”he told the Perthshire Advertiser.

“I think we had seven in the stand at our last game away to Lochee Harp, so I am hoping I have a few lads back in the squad.”

In the North Premier League this weekend, Blairgowrie make the short trip to take on Dundee Violet in what is a second versus third battle.

East Craigie remain out in front of the division, two points clear of Blair.

The fixture schedule has presented Coupar Angus with a free week.