Mckenzie’s presence adds spice to clash

Broughty Athletic closed the gap on Super League North leaders Carnoustie Panmure to four points last weekend and will be looking to take advantage of any slip up by the Gowfers by beating Forfar West End at Whitton Park.

Added spice to the game is that former West End boss Daryl Mckenzie is now a Broughty player and, if selected, will face his former side.

Broughty boss Jamie Mccunnie has a couple of players carrying niggles so will leave his selection late.

West End enjoyed a Saturday off last weekend after the defeat by Carnoustie and new boss Derek Lawson will be looking to bounce back. Lawson has no injury concerns and expects to have a full squad.

North End, unbeaten in four league games, are one of the form sides in the division.

This weekend sees the Dokens take on Kirriemuir Thistle at North End Park and boss Ross Lunan should welcome back Gary Sutherland to the squad that won 1-0 at Scone Thistle.

Kirriemuir return to league action after finally playing their Scottish Junior Cup tie at Maud at the third attempt.

Thistle boss Darren Scott was delighted with his side’s performance in Aberdeen but knows that a similar level will be required to take anything from this weekend’s visit.

Scott is without David Millar and has doubts over Greg Fairweather, but he has been able to add the experienced James Russell to his squad.

Leaders Carnoustie Panmure travel to Perth looking to maintain their run and the gap at the top of the league.

The Gowfers made a number of changes for the League Cup clash against Brechin Vics but the result was still the same with Phil Mcguire’s men running out 5-0 winners with Sam Simpson scoring a hat-trick.

Mcguire expects to have the same squad available but will probably make a couple of changes to the starting XI.

Struggling Tayport face the first of a double-header against Downfield and go in to the game on a positive note after wins against Girvan in the Scottish Junior Cup and Armadale Thistle in the East Region Cup.

Manager Chris Mcpherson is without Conor Ireland and there is a doubt over defender Greg Whyte

The Spiders will look to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Broughty, but are without Ben Sivewright and Jonny Snowden through suspension. Paul Marr has the remainder of his squad available.

It has been a tough baptism for new Brechin Vics boss Andy Davie and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend with Premier League North leaders East Craigie the visitors to Victoria Park.

Vics will be without Jack Gribben who was sent off at Carnoustie last weekend but he has Aaron Stephen available after suspension, while Colin Lawson and Euan Duff return from holiday.

East Craigie had a day off last weekend after their East Region Cup tie at Fauldhouse was postponed and that has allowed a number of players with niggles and twinges to recover.

Violet manager Andy Heggie conceded that individual errors cost his side against Lochee United last Saturday and insists that, although he has a young squad, they need to learn quickly and eradicate silly mistakes.

Violet travel to Foxhall Park to take on an improving Coupar Angus and Heggie is aware of their threat. “We may have beaten them last time but they are an improving side and we will have to be at our best to have a chance of winning,” he said.

Violet travel without Gavin Burns who is on holiday.

Coupar Angus have added AJ Govier and Paul Stewart to the squad and they are both in contention for a starting berth but Dylan Higgins is suspended.

Arbroath Vics are a much improved outfit under Eddie Gray this season and were unlucky not to beat Blairgowrie in the Quest Engineering Cup.

Vics resume their Premier League North campaign at Forfar Albion looking to kick on but will be without Conor Gray through suspension and Matt Keogh who is working.

Albion were another side to enjoy a week off and that has allowed Steven Stewart’s men to regroup after the disappointing defeat to Violet. Albion will be without the suspended Conor Gray.

Lochee Harp took Super League side Luncarty to penalties in the cup last week and Michael Gormley will be hoping that his additions to the squad, as well as getting a couple of his injured players back, will prove to be a turning point.

This weekend Harp face Blairgowrie at Downfield Park.

North Region Super League side Montrose Roselea have had more than their fair share of injuries this season and last weekend against Nairn St Ninian both Tom Dalgarno and Joe Aitken joined the wounded list with ligament damage.

They will both miss today’s trip north to Inverurie to take on Colony Park.

Chris Milne returns for the game but Steven Smith is still a couple of weeks away from competitive action despite being back in training.