The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tayside and Fife clubs await former winners
Nine of the 12 Courier Country clubs in action in the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup today face past winners. And with eight having home advantage, fans are spoilt for choice.
The most mouth-watering tie sees 1990 winners Hill of Beath take on Auchinleck Talbot, the record 11-times holders, at Keirs Park.
Haws go into the tie on the back of a confidence boosting 4-0 win at Newtongrange Star last week and with a full squad other than John Mcculloch.
Meanwhile, along the road, Crossgates Primrose entertain Beith Juniors.
Their visitors may can’t compete with Talbot’s history, but after winning the trophy for the first time last year, they top the West Region Super Premier Division.
After folding two years ago, the Fifers are doing rather well in the South League, so will relish the challenge.
Especially after cruising to a 4-1 win over third-placed West Calder last week.
Oakley meet four times winners Linlithgow Rose who last won in it in 2010.
With Mark Bradly back in charge after a couple of seasons in the doldrums, normal service has resumed with the Prestonfield outfit arriving at Blairwood Park as Super League leaders.
Oakley boss Lee Richardson is without Ross Wortley, Lee Halpin, Fraser Lockhart and Ryan Stevenson.
Kennoway Star Hearts are at home to Blantyre Vics, whose last of their three triumphs was in 1982 and who play in the Central League First Division.
Interim boss Craig Johnstone is definitely out through injury as he awaits the result of a scan and so too is Liam Rolland due to suspension.
North of the Tay, four other past winners are in action, though none is presently playing in West’s top flight.
Lochee United’s opponents Johnstone Burgh have won the trophy twice, lastly in 1969, but alas times are hard for them these days, languishing second bottom of the Central Second Division.
While the Bluebells are odds-on favourites to progress, struggles against other lower-ranked rivals this season will ensure there is no complacency.
Bryan Deasley is still struggling to shake off the injuries he received in a car crash and Kevin Buchan and Mark Stewart are also out.
Five-times winners Petershill, Carnoustie’s visitors, look certain to return to the top tier at the end of the season as they are six points clear at the top of the Super First Division.
So Alan Mcskimming’s side cannot afford the same benevolence as last week when shipping four goals against Dundonald Bluebell.
Ryan Roche, Jamie Robbie and Steven Cook are again missing and Ewan Buggins is on holiday.
A minute’s silence will be held prior to the game as a tribute to Bert Norrie who sadly passed away this week. He was a prolific goal scorer for the club in the 60s and netted 65 goals in one season.
Up at Strathmore Park, Forfar West End welcome Shotts Bon Accord.
It is only seven years since the Lanarkshire club won the trophy for the first and only time, but they have slipped to the West Region’s third tier.
Last week’s win over Lochee United was a real morale-booster for the Strathmore side who expect to have the same squad of 17 available.
Over at Scone, Thistle have a tough nut to crack in Kilsyth Rangers, who have won the cup twice.
The visitors play in the second tier through in the west, but with the hosts going well in the North League and expecting to be at full strength, an upset cannot be discounted.
Arthurlie is Coupar Angus’s destination and and Logan Mcconnachie’s men will be hoping to add the scalp of the twotimes winners to Montrose Roselea, their victims in the previous round.
Although going down 6-0 at at Arbroath Vics last week, the Foxhall outfit were minus six of their squad, all of whom are available again.
Jeanfield Swifts travel to Premier Division Tranent and, with Ben Blyth’s return, Ross Gunnion’s side are almost at full strength. Lee Deans is nursing a knock but is expected to recover.
Downfield will hope to put their recent poor league form behind them at home to Central League Wishaw.
Only Spiders’ absentees are the suspended Jack Neave and James Thomson.
Lochore Welfare face Forth at Kingshill Park and welcome back James Adam and Kearayn Hicks, but Gary Ingles and Lewis Thomson are unavailable.