Fed boss Mccunnie targets title challenge

Mcbookie.com East Region Super League North

Broughty boss Jamie Mccunnie insisted that there was plenty of football to play before their Macron Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final against Petershill or Darvel and that his side hadn’t given up on pushing Carnoustie and Lochee United at the top of the Super League North.

Today the Fed face Dundee North End at North End Park and there is added spice with former Broughty coach Tony Mcauley now in the Dokens hot-seat.

Since Mcauley took over North End have won twice in the league – against Forfar West End and Downfield – drawn with Luncarty and lost to Lochee United and the manager will be desperate to put one over on his former employers.

Mccunnie had to do without Graham Hay and Josh Skelly for last weekend’s Scottish Junior Cup tie but is hopeful of having at least one of them back today along with Ross Mccord, who missed last week’s game through suspension.

Mcauley meanwhile is expected to have the same squad available that beat Violet in the Thorntons Property Cup.

Tayport boss Chris Mcpherson was full of praise for his side following their narrow defeat at Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Junior Cup but knows they will have to produce a similar performance against league leaders Carnoustie Panmure at the Canniepairt.

Mcpherson welcomes back Ryan Suttie from suspension but dropping out is leading scorer Dayle Robertson, who is away with the Scottish Futsal squad.

Carnoustie travel to Fife looking to make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions and keep the pressure on Lochee United and Broughty in the race for the title, although manager Phil Mcguire is still only taking one game at a time.

Mcguire welcomes back winger Sam Simpson from suspension and while he has a number of players carrying knocks he is expected to have a full squad available.

United boss George Shields knows that his side can’t afford any slipups as they chase down the leaders and three points at home to bottom club Forfar West End is the maximum attainable but also the minimum acceptable.

Shields expects to have Greg Kirk available after he had to be substituted at Kirrie Thistle with a back injury but Craig Smith and Garry Kenneth are both out.

West End closed the gap to Tayport down to just a point following last weekend’s win at Luncarty and Derek Lawson’s side will have received a boost from the victory, particularly as it was without Liam Godfrey, Jordan Timmons and Calum Walls.

That trio all return for West End but Calum Petrie is suspended.

Kirrie boss Darren Scott hasn’t found problems difficult to find in his first season in charge and once again his squad is decimated through injury as he prepares for the trip to Luncarty.

Dino Leddie, signed on loan from Hibs, has broken his wrist, Stuart Mckenna has a broken ankle and James Russell and Ryan Kerrigan are also injured.

However, Fraser Anderson has been signed from Tayport and should make his debut.

Downfield went down 1-0 to leaders Carnoustie last weekend at Laing Park and manager Paul Marr will be looking for his side to bounce back with a moraleboosting win against struggling Scone Thistle at Farquharson Park. Marr is expected to have a full squad available for the trip.

Mcbookie.com East Region Premier League North

An attractive encounter is in the offing at Ogilvy Park where in-form Arbroath Vics take on Premier League North leaders East Craigie.

Vics are unbeaten after 90 minutes for 11 games and Eddie Gray’s side are full of confidence.

East Craigie meanwhile are unbeaten in the league, with 15 wins and two draws from their 17 games, and are favourites for the title.

The Dundee side are expected to have a full squad available for the game while Vics are able to add Ben Fraser and Kellon Lyons to the squad that beat Harp.

Violet head to Blairgowrie after running Mark Brash’s side close on their previous two meetings.

Manager Andy Heggie has added Marco Notarangelo to his coaching staff from Lochee United Amateurs as they look to do city rivals East Craigie a favour.

Violet have transfer-listed Lawrie Mitchell and interested parties should contact Andy Heggie on 07737521024.

Brechin Vics are still to appoint a replacement for Andy Davie as they face Coupar Angus once again – this time at Foxhall Park.

Vics won 4-1 at Victoria Park last weekend and will be looking for a similar outcome this time round. Robbie Ferries and Colin Lawson return but Adam Renilson and Jack Gribben are both missing.

Lochee Harp host Forfar Albion at Downfield Park and boss Michael Gormley will be without the suspended Mark Kelly, Nathan Scott and Michael Mcbrearty.

Albion boss Steven Stewart is up against it. Andy Patullo and Kalin Jones are both injured and Murray Penman is working, meaning Stewart only has 14 players available for the game.

Mcbookie.com North Region Super League

Montrose Roselea will be looking to pick up three points against Hermes.

Lea will be without the injured Joe Aitken, Lloyd Hester and Tom Dalgarno while Jordan Harrison is also likely to miss out due to illness and Callum Rae is doubtful with a hand injury.

The Angus side will likely have a trialist in the squad as well as new signing ex-brechin Vics player Adam Davidson.