Defence key to Bluebells’ chances

Lochee United captain Lunan relishing prospect of reaching cup final

Lochee United skipper Paul Lunan believes that their defensive meanness can be the passport to reaching the Scottish Cup final for the second time in the club’s history.

The 35-year-old made just shy of 350 appearances while playing as a senior with Forfar, Arbroath and Montrose before turning junior with Broughty Athletic more than four years ago. And in those four seasons, he hasn’t enjoyed much luck in this competition.

“Until this season, sides that on paper we should have beaten have knocked us out,” he said.

But all that has changed this season with the Bluebells having conceded a paltry single goal – and that came from the penalty spot at Beith in the last round – en route to the last four.

Even although the Thomson Park outfit’s 1-0 win at Auchinleck – the first the Ayrshire side has suffered since the semi-finals became two-legged affairs – completed a hat-trick of wins in Ayrshire, Lunan acknowledges that denying the 11-time record winners of the trophy will require all their defensive resilience.

He said, “The tie is definitely not over and we will have to stand firm against a side that battles all the way and will try to intimidate us. Because of that it will be physically very demanding especially as they go long playing balls from back to front.

“We proved last week we could withstand everything they could throw at us and know that it will be very much same again today. In fact, it suits the way we play because we like to hit teams on the counter.

“But all the boys are up for the challenge. Everyone was bouncing at training this week and up for the challenge. Speaking personally, I am relishing the prospect of potentially playing in the final and the game couldn’t come quickly enough.”

The Bluebells will hope that history doesn’t repeat itself after their last semi experience in 2010 when they also took a single goal lead into the second leg.

Having beaten Linlithgow Rose at home, they even went ahead in the return leg before losing 4-2 on aggregate.

The difference this year is that they have home advantage for the second leg.

Other than long-term casualties Kevin Buchan and Paddy Deane, manager George Shields has a full squad.

If it aint broke, don’t fix it is the Bluebells boss’s approach to this crucial tie.

“It has worked well for us in the previous rounds so, we won’t change anything.

“Training went really well during the week and the boys are all up for it realising that this is a one-off chance to reach the final.” Super League Broughty Athletic, 3-0 winners over struggling Forfar West End in midweek, face Jeanfield Swifts – another club battling to beat the drop – at Riverside Stadium today.

Now free of GA Cup commitments after their 3-1 defeat at Carnoustie in midweek, Swifts can concentrate on the important business of retaining top flight status and are likely to show changes from the midweek defeat, though Lee Deans remains suspended.

Hill of Beath have the toughest task of all away to league leaders Bonnyrigg Rose. The Lothian side have only failed to win two of their 12 home games and both of those were drawn.

Haws have only lost one of their last six in the league and that was at home to title contenders Linlithgow, but they are without suspended pair Russell Grierson and Shaun Leishman. East of Scotland Cup Dundonald Bluebell welcome runaway Premier League leaders Musselburgh to Moorside Park in a third round East of Scotland tie.

It will be tough test for Jason Dair’s side who have Aiden Hendry, Stewart Walton and Coco Wilson available again, but have fitness doubts concerning Scott Durie and Mark Forbes. Premier League Tayport still harbour outside promotion hopes after their 3-2 win at Thornton in midweek.

Next port of call is second from bottom Whitburn where they will be without the injured duo of Connor Ireland and Alan Tulleth. Ryan Suttie returns but Jamie Mckie is a doubt.

Without a game since holding leaders Musselburgh four weeks ago, Glenrothes are keeping their fingers crossed that their game at Arniston goes ahead.

Their inactivity has seen them slip to third bottom and gaffer Willie Campbell admits it has been hard to keep the players focused.

The trialist goalkeeper who figured four weeks ago will again be between the sticks.

Darren Ormiston will be missing for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle.

St Andrews United have appointed Andy Brown as their new manager.

He has a wealth of experience after coaching at both Motherwell and Hearts as part of their youth set-up.

He then became manager of Craigroyston and Crossgates Juniors. Gordon Brown, no relation, will be his assistant.

Their first game in charge is away to Dunbar United. They are without the suspended Ryan McInnes.

Tayport, who ended Thornton Hibs’ nine-match unbeaten run in the league on Wednesday, are away to Tranent.