Thistle out to prevent hat-trick for Gowfers

North Super League

Super League leaders Carnoustie travel to Scone seeking a hat-trick of league wins over the Perthshire outfit.

The two previous meetings, both at Laing Park, have brought the Gowfers substantial victories – 6-0 and 5-0 – so it would be a surprise if Phil Maguire’s men slipped up.

They are without the suspended Sam Simpson.

Aiming to keep the pressure on the Gowfers, Lochee United head to Luncarty, looking to avenge the 3-2 defeat they suffered there on the opening day of the season.

Bluebells skipper Dougie Cameron is suspended while Craig Smith and Ross Gallagher are sidelined.

Broughty Athletic head to bottom club Forfar West End and are very much favourites after beating the Angus side 5-1 when they met at Whitton Park.

One or two are nursing knocks and suspension rules out Ross Mccord.

Meanwhile, the hosts have three suspended – Callum Walls, Jordan Timmins and Liam Godfrey.

Rejuvenated Tayport go to Downfield Park hoping for a hat-trick of wins while the Spiders, in contrast, are trying to prevent a third consecutive loss after defeats to North End and Lochee United.

Following fine wins over Kirrie Thistle and Luncarty, the Fifers will look to improve on the goalless draw when the sides met on day one of the season.

Other than the suspended Ryan Suttie, Port have everyone available, though Liam Mcartney faces a late fitness test.

The Spiders include new signing Robbie Gallacher from Forfar Albion.

North End are without a victory at home since September but after their 4-2 win at Downfield a fortnight ago new boss Tony Mcaulay will be looking for his side to improve on their goalless draw against visitors Kirrie Thistle during that winless run.

Meanwhile, after last week’s 5-0 defeat at Tayport, Thistle boss Darren Scott does have Dale Reid and Cammy Black back, but last week’s missing quartet – Stuart Mckenna, Robert Smith, James Russell and Ryan Kerrigan – are still unavailable.

North Premier League

League leaders Blairgowrie head to second bottom Coupar Angus. Having won the previous meeting at Foxhall Park 6-1, the visitors will start clear favourites.

Both teams are at full strength. Despite Blair currently leading the league, East Craigie remain title favourites as they have three games in hand and only trail by a point.

The undefeated Shipbuilders visit Glenesk looking to complete a hattrick of wins over Violet, having beaten them 4-1 and 7-1 in their previous two meetings.

Pansies boss Andy Heggie feels they have learned a lot from those two matches and are better equipped this time to give a good account of themselves.

Heggie’s side will be on the usual lines and were given a boost with Jay

Taylor’s return to training this week after fracturing a toe.

Grant Paterson is suspended while Calum Faulkner will be out for the remainder of the season due to injury.

Bottom-of-the-table Forfar Albion will look to build on their excellent performance when drawing with East Craigie a fortnight ago when they host Brechin Vics.

Unfortunately they are without the injured Andy Patullo for the foreseeable future, while Robbie Gallacher has signed for Downfield.

Their visitors, who are still managerless, are without the injured Barrie Gourlay and suspended Ben Starkey.

DJ Laing East Region Cup

Arbroath Vics welcome Harp in a DJ Laing East Region Cup tie and the hosts, whohavelostjustoncein10homeoutings, are undoubtedly favourites to progress.

Vics welcome back keeper Jack Whitton, along with Zak Arthur and Louis Quinn, but Mike Fotheringham is still sidelined.

Harp boss Michael Gormley will hope they can produce the form that saw them draw with Violet at Glenesk in their last outing.

North Super League

Montrose Roselea head over the Cairn o’ Mount to meet their new “derby” opponents Banchory St Ternan at Milton Park (kick-off 1.30pm).

Given that the two meetings this season have been drawn – a cup tie at Links Park saw the visitors progress on penalties – another close encounter is expected.

Roselea have doubts over Stephen Greig and Callum Rae while Joe Aitken, Lloyd Hester and Tom Dalgarno miss out. Trialists Fraser Jamieson and Adam Davidson are again included in the squad.