Must-win clash for holders and hosts at Lochlands

Holders Forthill face a must-win clash against Arbroath United at Lochlands as the Strathmore & Perthshire Union enters a critical phase today.

The match has the same importance for the hosts as both sides attempt to stay in touch with leaders Gordonians and secondplaced Meigle.

The champions suffered a blow last weekend when they went down heavily to Meigle, and a further reverse might leave the Broughty Ferry side with too much to do.

Victory would see them leapfrog an Arbroath side who have their own agenda, having themselves moved smoothly into contention.

They were at their best at Strathmore last week, defending a relatively modest total to take maximum points and complete a fifth win in their six matches since they last played Forthill.

However, today’s visitors need only look to that match to take encouragement for the latest derby joust since they won that last thrilling encounter by seven runs.

Forthill have lost to Dundee HSFP as well as Meigle in the intervening period but also enjoyed an impressive victory against the leaders, when they showed their true colours.

As ever the line-ups for both teams will be determined only after the respective first XIs have had first pick of the men in form.

Elsewhere, Meigle look certainties to maintain their challenge since they entertain a Rossie Priory outfit who are still searching for a first win.

The Victory Park men were in free-scoring form last week and will hope for more all-round heroics from Matthew Farmer, who hit 88 runs before claiming four wickets.

Perth Doo’cot claimed a thrilling one-wicket win against Dundee HSFP at Dalnacraig last week, a result which at once dealt a severe blow to the Dundonians’ hopes of a late surge towards the top while giving a timely boost to Perth ahead of today’s visit from Gordonians.

Another victory for the men from the Fair City would be greatly welcomed by the chasing pack.

Dundee themselves look to hit back when they head north to face Mannofield, while Strathmore are also in the Granite City to meet Stoneywood-Dyce.