The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dokens aiming to extend unbeaten run
North End face tough test against leaders Carnoustie
This weekend sees big games in the Super League North at top and bottom.
At North End Park third-placed Dundee North End host leaders Carnoustie Panmure.
Ross Lunan’s North End side are unbeaten for 10 games although their last win in the league came in September at Luncarty. Gowfers boss Phil Mcguire will give North End full respect after the two sides drew 2-2 at Laing Park in August.
Both managers have full squads and there could be a debut for Carnoustie new boy Kieran Sturrock, who spent nearly two seasons at North End prior to going to New Zealand.
Lochee United play their first Super League game since the beginning of last month as they entertain Kirriemuir Thistle at Thomson Park. United are 10 points behind leaders Carnoustie with three games in hand and will go into the game as favourites.
Lochee manager George Shields will take nothing for granted, with his squad still suffering with injuries. Scott Mccomiskie is still out alongside John Sinclair, Craig Smith and Scott Webster.
Kirrie are on a high after beating Largs Thistle in the Scottish Junior Cup and will look forward to the trip to Dundee to face the reigning Super League champions.
However, manager Darren Scott has Stuart Mckenna and Kevin Mcnaughton out injured, and Cammy Black and Rori Bews suspended.
Bottom two Tayport and Forfar West End face each other at The Canniepairt.
Chris Mcpherson’s ’Port side are doing well in the cups but still looking for their first league win of the season.
West End will look to kick-start their season under Derek Lawson. The Angus club beat Scone Thistle and Maryhill away from home but since then have suffered defeats at Broughty Athletic, Carnoustie and Auchinleck Talbot.
Tayport have been hit with injuries to Ryan Suttie and Greg Whyte, while new boy Lyall Shaw is suspended for the game.
West End are expected to have the same squad that travelled to Ayrshire, two weeks ago.
Luncarty and Downfield sit in mid-table on the same points and the same goal difference, so a close game is anticipated when they meet at Brownlands Park.
The Spiders travel without suspended Mitch Hay and Connor Mcleod but otherwise have a full squad available.
Broughty Athletic take on Scone Thistle at Farquharson Park. Jamie Mccunnie’s men beat Scone 3-1 at Whitton Park earlier in the season. Greg Mcnaughton is suspended but otherwise Mccunnie has a full squad.
Mcbookie.com East Region Premier League North
East Craigie will be favourites as they travel to Coupar Angus. The Shipbuilders thrashed Forfar Albion 7-1 last weekend to take over at the top of the table and travel with the same squad.
It is third versus fourth in the Premier League North at Glenesk Park as Dundee Violet host Arbroath Vics.
Both sides won last weekend, Violet beating Lochee Harp in the derby while Vics thrashed Coupar Angus 5-1 at Ogilvy Park.
Violet boss Andy Heggie is without Jay Taylor who was sent off against Harp and Andy kelly picked up a knock and will not be risked.
Vics welcome back Ben Starkey but are still without long-term casualties Mike Fotheringham and Dean Hardie.
Blairgowrie travel to Guthrie Park to take on Forfar Albion, who have Darren Clarkson, on loan from Downfield, in goal and will welcome back Murray Penman and Graham Mcleish.
Lochee Harp were a little unlucky not to take anything from last weekends Derby against Violet and manager Michael Gormley will be looking for the same level of performance this weekend at home to Brechin Vics.
Gormley is boosted by the return of striker Sam Macdonald but is still without Michael Mcbrearty, Jaden Murphy, Lewis Fyfe and Ryan Hunt.
Brechin Vics travel to Downfield Park to face Lochee Harp after a week off following the postponement of their game at home to Blairgowrie.