Port look for cup boost after boss’s departure

This afternoon’s card is dominated by the Thornton’s League Cup with 11 ties taking place.

After manager Charlie King’s midweek departure, Grant Paterson and Jamie Mackie take charge of Tayport for Downfield’s visit.

The Fifers will hope to get back on the rails after last Saturday’s disastrous 5-1 cup defeat to Rossvale but are without suspended pair Kris Rollo and Stephen Duffy.

Downfield are also licking their wounds, from their 4-1 cup exit to St Rochs, and manager Paul Marr will make a late selection.

The other all-East Super League affair sees Kirrie Thistle welcome near neighbours Forfar West End.

Sean Diamond and Dale Reid return for Thistle, but Darren Scott is still sidelined.

The visitors are expected to be on the same lines as the side that defeated Kennoway last week.

Like last week, Lochee United face undefeated opposition.

After the win at Gartcairn, North End are next to try and lower the Bluebells’ colours when they meet at Thomson Park.

The Dokens are at full strength, but Lochee boss George Shields, so beset by injuries this term, for once has almost everyone available.

The one exception is long-term casualty Kevin Buchan.

Broughty Athletic’s tie with Forfar Albion has been switched to Whitton Park.

Although the Fed are favourites regardless of the venue, Albion are much improved, as underlined by last week’s draw at Scone before losing on penalties in the East Region Cup.

Fed manager Jamie McCunnie adds Fraser Smith and Scott Smith to the pool that was on duty for last week’s narrow defeat at Hurlford United.

Arbroath Vics is the destination for Carnoustie and it would be a major surprise if the Super League visitors don’t return with the win, especially given Vics have been struggling in the league with just two victories out of their 10 fixtures.

Even without skipper Ryan Roche, Jamie Winter, Jake Mair and Vince Edmunds, the Gowfers should prove too strong for the Ogilvy Park outfit.

The hosts welcome back a trio of absentees from last week’s defeat at Blairgowrie.

East Craigie and Luncarty’s meeting at Craigie Park promises to be a very tight affair.

The visitors are unbeaten and second in the table, while the Shipbuilders trail them by only three points, with their recent league clash finishing allsquare.

The Shipbuilders are expected to be on the usual lines. Luncarty are without Ollie Saffrey, but Jake Dolzanski and Richie Montgomery are in the squad.

After last week’s epic win at Arthurlie, Violet should be too good for a Coupar Angus side without a competitive win all season when they meet in Premier League North at Foxhall Park.

Though Pansies boss John Dunn will guard against complacency, this looks a banker away win.

Dunn has a few players nursing knocks and will make a late selection.

The Perthshire hosts will hope a 5-2 midweek friendly win over Scone Thistle U19s, their first in any fixture this season, will be a confidence booster and expect to have the same squad available.

Harp manager Michael Gormley has a goalkeeping crisis with both Darren Brown and Ryan Mitchell out injured, along with defender Mark Kelly, as they prepare to welcome Blairgowrie.

Jay Smart is suspended but Graham Allan, Aaron Conway and Liam Roddie all return.

Blairgowrie include goalkeeper John Sinclair and forward Ross Bell, on loan from Broughty, in a squad of 18.

Missing, however, are Gordon O’Brien, Robbie Hood, Gordon Pirie, Darren Neave and Rudi Brown.

Brechin Vics travel to Scone Thistle with a full squad and looking for a third successive win.

North Region Super League leaders Montrose Roselea are looking to extend their unbeaten run when they visit Ellon United.

James Collier’s side will hope to pick up where they left off at home to Dyce last week when three second half goals saw them win comfortably.

Roselea will again be without the injured Callum Rae, Murray Soutar and Lloyd Hester although Joe Aitken does return to the squad

With the clocks having gone back, all today’s fixtures kick-off at 2pm.