Bleachers miss four for Pansies cup clash

The Thorntons Property League Cup dominates this afternoon’s card with 11 ties involving Courier Country sides.

The only game in Perthshire sees Luncarty welcome Violet.

Though the Bleachers lost at East Craigie last week, manager John Kelly feels confident they can overcome the Pansies despite Tony Holt, Ryan Menzies, Stuart Nicol and Jake Dalzanski all missing out.

Facing the stiffest hurdle are Blairgowrie who will attempt to stop the Lochee United juggernaut, with the Dundee side still unbeaten this season.

The odds against Mark Brash’s side are racked up by having some key men missing. Gary Axworthy and Cammy McManus are on holiday and Darren Neave is suspended, but on the plus side Robbie Hood returns.

Meanwhile, the Lochee injury crisis seemed to be easing, though Kevin Buchan, Danny Millar and Bryan Deasley are all out while Connor Birse is suspended.

Despite that it would still be a major surprise if the visitors were to slip up.

Scone Thistle also face Super League opposition in Carnoustie, but after last week’s big win over Brechin Vics will travel with more than just hope that they can give a good account of themselves.

Max Avolio, Arran McKay, Darren Gray and Fraser McDonald are unavailable but Kevin Sinclair and Craig Mitchell return.

The hosts are without Ryan Roche, Jamie Winter and Jake Mair, leaving boss Phil McGuire to make a late selection.

After last week’s demolition of Rosyth, Kinnoull are probably the most likely Perthshire side to progress at the expense of another South League side, West Calder.

Tulloch Park boss Alan Cameron will have only 15 players available, but will be up against a side without a home win this term.

Liam Woolley is still sidelined. Fraser Morrison, Greg Whyte and Tijan Nyass are unavailable, while Cameron hopes at least one of three needing late fitness tests makes it.

Beaten at Fauldhouse in this competition last week, Glenrothes badly need a win at home to Bathgate, who sit third in the Premier League and who were 3-0 winners at Newburgh last week.

Glens will be without Andy Aidan, who could be out until the end of the year, while young keeper Brandon Connor has gone on loan to Kirkcaldy YM.

Kennoway Star Hearts entertain Newburgh in an all-Fife tie.

Hearts may prop up the Super League table but under former Forfar and Brechin City midfielder Kevin Byers they have shown definite signs of improvement and might prove too strong for their kingdom neighbours whose only win on the road was on penalties in the Fife & Lothians Cup.

Kirkcaldy YM’s trip to Livingston promises to be a tight affair with only goal difference separating the sides in the South League

Kirkcaldy are without Donald Hislop, but Ross Ogden and Ewan Henderson return.

New Lochgelly Albert boss Andy Healy has signed defender Declan Boyle and he is included in the squad for their home tie with Stoneyburn, who lie just two places above the bottom-of-the-table hosts.

Unfortunately for the Berts, Hamish Munro, Arron Gowan, Byron McGuigan and Jack Fairlie are unavailable while Rickie Cooper is doubtful.

Coupar Angus travel to Broughty Athletic for what could be a painful afternoon for the Foxhall outfit at the Super League club’s hands.

Super League

Tayport are still managerless after the departure of Charlie King, so Grant Paterson and Jamie Mackie remain in charge for the visit of Thornton Hibs.

Port don’t have their troubles to seek. In addition to suspended pair Kris Rollo and Stephen Duffy they are also without the injured Stewart McConnachie and Luke O’Brien.

Third-placed Thornton will undoubtedly be a threat to the hosts’ 100% home league record.

South League

Rosyth will be looking to atone for last week’s 7-1 trouncing at Kinnoull when welcoming Lochore Welfare. The Recs are without Anderson and McMillan.

Welfare, who are still without a manager, go into the game on the back of a fine 2-0 win at Kirkcaldy last week.