The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McCunnie’s debut against Star Hearts
Fallon named assistant as Broughty play host to struggling Kennoway
Jamie McCunnie’s first match in charge since becoming Broughty boss on a permanent basis last week is a home meeting with relegation-threatened Kennoway Star Hearts.
And one of his first moves this week was to bring in former Tannadice teammate Steven Fallon as his assistant.
With Whitton Park nearly thawed out, the Fed are pretty confident the game will go ahead as they look to build on their 4-1 win over Bo’ness four weeks ago.
The first meeting at Treaton Park early in the season finished in a 1-1 stalemate, but the Fifers now face an uphill struggle to beat the drop.
With Nathan Doig and Scott Young likely to be fit, player-boss Craig Johnstone is Hearts’sole absentee.
Lochee United, too, are highly hopeful Thomson Park will be playable for the visit of Broxburn.
After the disappointing defeat to Sauchie last time out, boss George Shields will be looking for a reaction, especially with next week’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Beith in mind.
Lochee are without strikers Buchan and Paddy Deane.
Meanwhile, Dundonald Bluebell’s trip to Linlithgow Rose is a true test of their championship credentials.
Their hosts may trail the fourth-placed Fifers by four points, but have three games in hand. Bluebell are without the suspended Adam Moffat.
Forfar West End’s midweek fears that their home clash with Penicuik would definitely be postponed have proved over pessimistic.
An improved picture has given the game a chance and there will be a morning pitch inspection. Jeanfield Swifts’ trip to Sauchie was another expected to fall by the wayside.
So much so, Swifts have provisionally arranged a friendly against Thornton Hibs on the Kinross all-weather pitch, subject, of course, to the Fife side’s fixture also biting the dust.
The Perth side have a full squad available, which includes central defender Mark Duigan, recently returned from a month’s loan at Kinnoull.
Premier League
St Andrews boss Craig Morrison was delighted with his side’s performance at Haddington but lamented the poor finishing which meant they came away empty-handed.
Saints host Tranent today, with Morrision looking for more clinical finishing as they look to avenge a 3-2 defeat in the Lothians on the opening day of the season.
Scott Mayne is still suspended but everyone else is available.
Tayport’s clash with Bathgate Thistle goes ahead at the Canniepairt as Creamery Park is again unplayable.
The Fifers could be without Connor Ireland and Struan Christie but new signing Stewart McConnachie from Broughty Athletic is added to the squad.
Meanwhile Marc Ogg has moved on after signing for Forfar West End.
Thornton Hibs welcome Dalkeith Thistle as they seek revenge for the 3-0 defeat the Lothian side inflicted on them earlier in the season.
However, as there is a question mark of the game going ahead they have provisionally arranged to meet Jeanfield Swifts in a friendly.
Downfield have an important home game against fourth-placed Dunbar and with the Spiders badly in need of points this will be a big test for the Dundee side.
Calvin Colquhoun and Phil Hagan are both ruled out.
Glenrothes and Whitburn meet at Warout and are battling to beat the drop. The second-bottom visitors are two points adrift of their hosts with a game in hand, which only illustrates how important it is that the Glens avoid defeat. Calum Kinnes is the Fifer’s only injury concern.
Bottom side Kirrie Thistle face a daunting task away to promotion contenders Fauldhouse United, who won 4-2 in the earlier meeting between the sides at Westview. DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup Lochore Welfare have an interesting second round tie at home to Craigroyston of the South League.
V Tech SMT Fife & Lothians Cup third round
Word from Newbyres Park where Hill of Beath are due to meet Arniston Rangers is that the tie has little chance of going ahead. If it does beat the elements, Haws will be missing Rikki Dair, Lee Reid and Lewis Elder, while Calum Rarity and Ricky Patrick are cup-tied. GA Engineering Cup Carnoustie Panmure boss Alan McSkimming is desperately hoping their trip to Longside for a third round tie gets the thumbs up.
So he’ll be cheered by the news that things are looking good on that score.
Disappointed and frustrated by the 4-3 defeat at Camelon two weeks ago, he wants a confidence-boosting win ahead of next week’s big Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck.
The Gowfers expect to have a full strength squad available.
The other scheduled tie between Dufftown and North End was called off yesterday.