The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dokens aiming to go top
Broughty Athletic got their first win of the Super League North season at the weekend, beating Scone Thistle 3-1 at Whitton Park while North End surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with leaders Carnoustie.
The Dokens could go top of the table if results go their way but, now they have that win under their belts and players are returning, Broughty will have other ideas.
Derryn Kesson completes his four-game suspension but otherwise Ralph Henderson and Tony McAuley have a full squad to choose from. North End boss Ross Lunan also expects to have a full squad available but may freshen things up.
Lochee United were in Scottish Cup action at the weekend, beating Burntisland Shipyard 7-0 in the preliminary round, and they are on home turf again this evening as they entertain Forfar West End.
Daryl McKenzie’s side’s game at the weekend against Tayport fell foul of the weather but they did manage a friendly to keep the players fresh.
Jamie Montgomery returns from injury for West End but Morgan Evans drops out and Gary Robertson is working. The West End boss has a squad of 18 to choose from.
George Shields is without Bryan Deasley and Alan Tulleth through injury but is able to welcome back Scott McComiskie and Kevin Milne who missed the weekend through suspension.
Luncarty and Kirrie Thistle were both without games on Saturday so both managers have fresh squads for their clash at Brownlands Park.
Darren Scott has a full squad but is not expecting changes to the side that beat Tayport last Wednesday night.
Downfield’s game with Luncarty was also postponed, which means that Paul Marr will have the same squad available to face Scone with Dale Davidson suspended.
There will be added spice to the clash at The Canniepairt where Tayport take on Carnoustie Panmure as in the home dugout will be former Gowfers quartet of Chris McPherson, Alan McSkimming, Grant Miller and Bobby Brown.
It is a big challenge for McPherson in his first job as manager as he missed out on any real pre-season with his players due to the timing of Willie Campbell’s departure.
Carnoustie, meanwhile, have had their best start to a season for many years with wins against Scone Thistle and Broughty Athletic as well as Saturday’s 2-2 draw with North End, meaning they sit top of Super League North.
Manager Phil McGuire made changes at the weekend with a number of players suffering from knocks after the game against Broughty but the Gowfers boss expects to have a fully-fit squad.
Brechin Vics had started the Premier League North season well with two wins but that came undone at East Craigie on Saturday with Iain Ross’s men losing 6-4.
Ross expects another tough game this week against a Blairgowrie side that are unbeaten with a win and two draws from their three games.
Arbroath Vics recorded their first win of the season at the weekend, beating Forfar Albion 2-0, and Eddie Gray’s side will be confident of making it two wins as they travel to take on Coupar Angus. The Vics boss expects to have the same squad available.
East Craigie overtook Brechin Vics at the top of the table after that 6-4 win and they will be confident of continuing at the top as they visit Forfar Albion.
The Shipbuilders should have the same squad that beat Brechin, though they have concerns over Andy McDonald who picked up a knock.
Steven Stewart will have at least one trialist in his squad for the game against the leaders at Guthrie Park but admits that it is a big ask for his side against freescoring East Craigie.
There is a derby at Downfield Park as Lochee Harp take on Violet.
The Pansies followed their opening day defeat to Brechin Vics with wins over Forfar Albion and Coupar Angus while Harp took a well-deserved point at the weekend at Blairgowrie.
Violet boss Andy Heggie said: “It’s a massive game for us.
“We have a few new faces this year and it will be the first taste of what’s to come and will be a baptism of fire for them.
“Harp will be strong, as always, and we must match that then let the football take care of itself.”
Harp boss Michael Gormley is still beset with injuries. Aaron Conway, Sam McDonald, Mark McDonald, Lewis Fyfe, Brad Millar and Ryan Sloan all miss out .