Brechin head into battle of Angus Vics in confident mood

Mcbookie.com East Region Premier League North

Arbroath Vics boss Eddie Gray is on holiday so Graham Duff is in charge of the team for the Angus derby against Brechin Vics at Ogilvy Park today.

Jonathan Bairstow returns but Dean Fairlie and Mike Fotheringham remain sidelined.

Brechin Vics were very impressive winners at Lochore last weekend in the Scottish Junior Cup under new manager Andy Davie and they will travel to Arbroath in confident mood.

However, Jordan Harrison and Andrew Stephen are both suspended and Davie is sweating on the fitness of at least two others.

Lochee Harp have won one from nine in the Premier League North and it is no surprise they sit bottom but manager Michael Gormley has been beset by injuries from day one and is only now starting to get players back.

The Harp boss still has a number of players injured and will leave his selection until the last minute for the trip to Coupar Angus.

The Perthshire side will have sympathy for their opponents as they were bottom of the table for the whole of last season, but the rebuilding plan is under way and the Foxhall Park club have won two games this season.

Despite this, they are still only a point above Harp.

Coupar’s only doubt is Chris Tracey and they also hope to have a new face in the squad.

Arguably the match of the day in the East Region is at Craigie Park where second-placed East Craigie host leaders Blairgowrie.

Both sides are unbeaten but the Shipbuilders have a game in hand.

When the sides met earlier in the season they drew 2-2 and it may be difficult to separate them again this time.

East Craigie are in the fortunate position of having a full squad available for the game.

Blairgowrie were unlucky to go out of the Scottish Junior Cup to Stoneywood Parkvale last weekend but manager Mark Brash is able to welcome back Gordon O’brien, Iain Plenderleith, Rudi Brown, Gordon Pirie and Robbie Hood, who all missed last week’s game, for the visit to Dundee.

Dundee Violet will be looking for their third win on the bounce as they welcome Forfar Albion to Glenesk Park and manager Andy Heggie has been boosted by the addition of Jordan Garden on loan from Tayport.

Heggie said; “Competition for starting places is much greater now and this is bringing out the best in our young squad and while we still have a lot of work to do we are improving with every game.”

New boy Garden comes straight in to the squad that beat Coupar Angus last week.

Forfar Albion head to Dundee to take on Violet at Glenesk Park after an unlucky exit from the Scottish Junior Cup, losing 5-4 at home to former winners Bathgate Thistle.

Albion boss Steven Stewart welcomes back Calum Rennie but Scott Black is on holiday.