The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Shipbuilders look to add to haul of scalps
With the scalps of Lochee United and Broughty Athletic under their belt in other knockout competitions, East Craigie will be hoping to complete a treble of Super League successes when they host Newtongrange Star.
The Shipbuilders eliminated Hill of Beath a couple of years ago, so are no strangers to defying the odds.
Gary Walsh is unavailable while, there are doubts over three key players – Nik Mann, Andy Mcdonald and Adam Brown – though co-boss Craig Brown is hopeful at least two of them will make it.
Broughty Athletic were dealt a blow ahead of their home tie against Bathgate Thistle with a knee injury ruling out defender Ryan Suttie for up to six weeks.
He is the Fed’s third long-term casualty with Paul Mclellan and Jamie Mccunnie also sidelined.
However, the Whitton Park outfit should still have enough quality to see off Premier League Bathgate, who lost 4-1 to Downfield a fortnight ago.
Glenesk stages an all-tayside tie with Forfar West End Violet’s visitors.
Despite the North League hosts being without a win in their last three games, they will still harbour hopes of causing an upset against the side bottom of the Super League.
Injured Ross Mcleary is the Pansies’ only absentee.
Carnoustie make the long trek north to Peterhead to face Longside.
The Gowfers must be considered clear favourites against a side second top of the First Division East.
However, five consecutive defeats must have dented Alan Mcskimming’s side’s confidence and a lengthy injury list hardly helps.
Derek Paterson, Ryan Roche, Adam Harwood, Luke Mcgeehan and Jamie Mccabe are all out injured and loan signing Barrie Gourlay is ineligible.
Hill of Beath will be odds-on to advance at the expense of visitors Buckie Rovers.
Even when severely depleted for the first round visit of New Elgin, Haws sailed through and today’s Highland opponents are from the same division.
Thorniewood is Dundonald Bluebell’s destination and with their hosts without a win and propping up the Central League Division One table, the Fifers must be favourites to progress.
Of the three Fife Super League sides, Kennoway Star Hearts undoubtedly have the toughest task with Clydebank their guests.
Though in the top flight of the West Region, the 2009 finalists are struggling and sit second bottom with only four points from eight outings.
With Hearts finally finding their feet with back-to-back league wins, there will be no lack of confidence in the Treaton Park camp.
Nicky Morgan is available again, but Liam Craig and Del Arnot are sidelined.
Downfield head to Neilston looking to bounce back after last week’s 4-0 defeat at Dunbar.
Their hosts have won four of their six games in the Central First Division, so this will be a stern test for the Spiders.
Paul Marr has no personnel problems, but will make a late selection.
Without a game for the past two weeks, Thornton Hibs will be keeping their fingers crossed that their home tie with Cumbernauld goes ahead.
With the visitors mid-table in the second tier of the West Region it promises to be a closely-contested affair.
The draw was certainly unkind to Perthshire clubs with all six away.
Jeanfield Swifts have the longest journey with Whittletts Vics of the Ayrshire District League their opponents,
Keeper Mark Mitchell is still sidelined, so Matt Curtis continues to deputise, while Chris Anton and Mark Duigan remain injured.
Kinnoull go to Glasgow Perthshire, looking to avenge last season’s exit at Tulloch Park.
Away from home and with a squad short of nine players, Alan Cameron’s side have a difficult assignment.
Luncarty are at Alexandria to meet Vale of Leven. But with the Bleachers top of the North League and their hosts in the lower half of the Central District Second Division, the visitors should progress, especially as player/boss Jon Kelly and Steve Mcallister both return.
Hosts West Calder and Scone Thistle are doing well in the South and North League respectively, so a close encounter is in prospect.
Apart from injury worries over Craig Mitchell and Willie Laing, Thistle have everyone else available.
Blairgowrie have a distinctly harder fixture away to North Region Super League leaders Hermes, especially as Robbie Hood, Gary Axworthy and Danny Miller are all absentees.
Coupar Angus also travel to face a North Region Super League side, but meet familiar opposition in Montrose Roselea.
Roselea are still without Jack Dalgarno and Lloyd Hester while Matty Jones has left the club by mutual consent. After last week’s Dufftown postponement, Blair Stephen will again be looking to make his debut after his move from Brechin Vics.
Foxhall Park manager Logan Mcconnachie expects to include new signing midfielder Ben Fraser, at one time a St Johnstone youth player, and welcomes back Ross Nicholson, but keeper Josh Allardyce is suspended.
Lochgelly Albert travel to Blantyre to meet Vics but, with new keeper Shaun Hunter from St Andrews cup tied, have
signed Jordan Mushatt from Dundonald Bluebell.
Iain Millar returns but, although John Duffy, Craig Bateson, Scott Renton and Ryan Mcewan are all injured, the Berts are optimistic about their prospects.
Lochore Welfare should be a good bet to advance at home to Spey Valley who are rock bottom of the North Region First Division West without a point and having conceded at an a average of just over five goals a game.
Both Brechin Vics and Forfar Albion have home ties but face daunting tasks.
Brechin Vics have Super League and three-time cup winners Bo’ness as their visitors and, if that wasn’t enough, boss Phil Maguire’s squad is badly depleted
Forfar Albion host Haddington Athletic and are without the suspended Vincent Kenny against their thirdplaced Premier League opponents.
There is an all-courier Country clash at Humbug Park where much-improved Crossgates Primrose take on North League strugglers Newburgh.
Arbroath Vics, who are away to Vale of Clyde, are without Josh Chalmers, Jordan Will, Scott Donald and Jack Whitton.