North End keen to get back to winning ways

North League leaders North End suffered a rare defeat on Wednesday when they lost 2-1 to East Craigie in the GA Cup.

The Dokens return to league business at Blairgowrie hoping for a return to winning ways. Blair list the same squad on duty for the midweek defeat at the hands of Harp.

Violet dropped two points in last week’s goalless draw at Harp and to have any chance of catching North End, they must win their three remaining games.

First up is a trip to Brechin Vics and the Pansies have a full squad. The hosts are still short-handed, a situation not helped by Marc Walker’s return to Carnoustie.

Scone Thistle host fourth-place Luncarty, who must win if their promotion hopes are to be maintained, whereas the hosts, though only a point behind, have played six more games.

Thistle add Ross Mitchell to last week’s winning squad at Coupar Angus.

Third-placed Kinnoull are very much outsiders in the promotion race, so must win at Newburgh. Gary Crockett is unavailable and David Gray misses the game due to injury.

Meanwhile, after a first win over Brechin Vics last week, Newburgh boss Scott Hudson was delighted that his game management message is starting to get through to the side.

Delighted at last week’s clean sheet in holding Violet, Harp manager Michael Gormley was equally pleased at doing likewise on their 1-0 victory over Blairgowrie in midweek.

Both Mark Kelly and Sam Hodgson are again sidelined for the away match with Arbroath Vics. The Angus outfit welcome back Josh Chalmers, Kellon Lyons, and Ryan Robb, who all missed last week’s defeat at Kinnoull.

East Craigie chalked up an eighth straight win when they took on North End in midweek and are favourites to make it nine at bottom club Forfar Albion.

However, the Shipbuilders always seem to struggle against Albion and, with the hosts undoubtedly an improving outfit, co-boss Craig Brown is assuming nothing.

They are without three East Craigie Swifts players who were in the midweek squad as they have an important East of Scotland Cup quarter-final tie, and have doubts over Andy McDonald, Allan Ramsay and Nik Mann.

Coupar Angus manager Logan McConachie is stepping down to join Jeanfield Swifts.

However, he is not leaving until the end of the season so remains in charge for today’s clash with Lochore Welfare.

Assistant Tam Stevenson will be promoted to the top post.

Coupar Angus are without the injured trio of Stuart Hill, Alex Gibb and George Allardyce, but Murray Irvine returns. The Fifers arrive at Foxhall Park after going down 5-2 to Linlithgow Rose in midweek

Montrose Roselea still probably require three wins from their remaining eight games to secure North Region Super League survival.

For the trip to Ellon United today they are without Johnny Duncan, player-boss James Collier and have doubts over Liam Campbell and Blair Stephen.