LOWSON COULD JOIN MONTROSE IN TOP LEAGUE

Lowson United are likely to join Montrose AFC in the top Midlands Division next season after Arbroath Harp failed to produce a side against them on Saturday, writes our Amateur correspondent.

Their rivals for the promotion spot, AHSFP, were defeating Finavon 3-2 thanks to a winning goal from Rhys Richardson – though likely to no avail. The High are two points ahead of United but the Forfar side will overtake them by a single point if precedence is anything to go by and they are awarded the Harp points by MAFA.

Regrettably, this is the third time in recent years that similar circumstances have prevailed. In midweek Douglas Athletic beat Lochee United 2-1 after extra-time in the semi-final of the Buckman Mackie Cup thanks to a 30-yard screamer from Jimmy Henderson. This equals the achievement of some great Midland’s sides of the past – a place for Athletic in all the local cup final competitions during the same season.

But their 3-2 league defeat by Menzieshill AFC last Monday gave Hill a glimmer of light of retaining their Premier League title.

In their Premier fixture on Saturday Morgan Academy FPS led Douglas 2-1 five minutes before the break thanks to goals from Neil Bone and Jason Alexander.

Then a great opportunity for Alexander to make it 3-1 was squandered and within seconds a couple from Ryan Kenneth gave him his hat-trick and the visitors a 3-2 lead.

A Lyall Murdoch goal right after the break made it four and an FPS second half collapse enabled the victors to double their tally to eight by the end. Hoping to keep the pressure on Douglas, Menzieshill cracked home six against relegated Newport. Sean Tucker (3), Ross Grant (2) and Michael Cavin were the marksmen in their 6-1 win.

Two key Premier games are contested tonight.

Douglas entertain St James at Finlathen, with Menzieshill taking on Tayside Fire Brigade at Downfield. Both kick-offs are 6.30pm.

Of greater interest is Friday’s North of Tay Cup final at Station Park, Forfar, between Douglas and Menzieshill.

The former have been on the wrong side of two 3-2 defeats by Hill over the season, including one in a cup final. Also when Douglas take to the pitch they will be doing so for the fourth time in six days – a big ask which no doubt most professional clubs would be making noises about. With only a few games remaining for most – and Logie Harp and Newport already relegated – the battle is on to avoid the doomed third bottom spot.

Invergowrie kept their hopes alive by beating Portcullis 3-2. Gowrie were down 2-0, but the visitors went down to 10 men just after the break. The village side took advantage with goals from Ben Fraser, Joe Hodgdon and Craig Stewart keeping them in the battle for the drop with Portcullis knowing they had only needed a point to make them safe.