The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Tayport looking to bounce back

- PETER RUNDO

The second round of the Scottish Junior Cup dominates today.

TAYPORT go to Blantyre Vics, who play in the Super League First Division.

Manager John Ovenstone seeks improvemen­t on last week, when Glenrothes ended their unbeaten run.

It will certainly be required given that their hosts overcame Largs Thistle away with a 1-0 victory in the previous round.

The manager will have to watch the game from the dugout as he is still suspended.

Sergio Alvarez and Alan Tulleth face late fitness tests.

LOCHEE UNITED travel to Aberdeen East End and are clear favourites to advance.

That is despite their hosts sitting third in the North First Division and the Bluebells being beaten in their last two outings.

Other than Connor Birse, boss George Shields has everyone else available. DOWNFIELD are fancied to overcome Nairn St Ninians.

The Spiders’ visitors are third in the North First Division West, but home advantage and a full squad should be enough.

NORTH END are favourites against visitors Wishaw.

Take out last week’s defeat to Downfield, the Dokens have been rattling in goals left, right and centre and should be too good for a team with only two wins in six outings in the Central First Division.

The meeting of VIOLET and BLAIRGOWRI­E at Glenesk offers the possibilit­y of an upset.

The Pansies may be a division higher but are without a win in the league, and have a new manager in Ralph Henderson after Scott Lindsay’s resignatio­n earlier in the week.

Barry Wilson and Aaron Kane are their only absentees.

Blair’s unbeaten record was ended by Broughty last week, but the North League leaders are a formidable threat. Gordon Pirie and Sean Kelly are missing.

Henderson has appointed Stuart Bell as his assistant. BROUGHTY ATHLETIC are at Johnstone Burgh. Although their Central First Division hosts have won just once in six matches, and drawn another, Fed boss Keith Gibson is taking nothing for granted.

Paul McLellan is unavailabl­e and Brian Clark requires a fitness test.

CARNOUSTIE will travel to Dumfriessh­ire to take on Kello Rovers, who sit third in the Ayrshire District League.

After winning their last two Super League games, the Gowfers won’t be short on confidence. John Roberts is their only absentee.

HARP host Maryhill. With 12 goals in their last two outings, the Beechwood side are looking forward to facing the Super First Division outfit.

The Glasgow side have won only one of their five league matches, but Michael Gormley is minus Sam McDonald, Joe Colquhoun and James Cochrane, while Cammy McMahon is cup-tied. FORFAR WEST END

welcome North Region Premier League side Culter.

Already minus several key men through injury, player/ manager Daryl McKenzie fractured his foot in training this week.

Keeper Daryl Burns returns, but otherwise McKenzie makes a late selection. KIRRIE THISTLE are facing Whitletts Victoria at Westview, with both teams going well in their respective leagues.

Kirrie boss Jim Finlayson expects their big-spending, undefeated, opponents to present a major challenge, but has a full squad available. BRECHIN VICS meet highflying Premier League outfit Sauchie Nursery Park.

This already tough tie against unbeaten league leaders is made all the more difficult as Ryan Milne, Sam Wood and Paul Tosh are out injured.

Conor Mitchell is back from holiday and their squad includes new signing Ryan Young, an attacking midfielder. ARBROATH VICS are at

home to Whitburn.

The Vics have one or two players under treatment for injuries but expect their squad to number 18.

Whitburn are well into the bottom half of the Premier League table. FORFAR ALBION, in the lower reaches of the North League, have it all to do at home to the South League leaders Blackburn United.

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