Bruised Gowfers will hope to keep up title challenge against Vics

The last full midweek programme of fixtures takes place in the Midlands League.

Leaders Carnoustie Panmure make the short trip to Arbroath to face Eddie Gray’s Vics at Ogilvy Park. The home side were without a game at the weekend but Carnoustie had a bruising encounter with Brechin Vics at Victoria Park that Phil McGuire’s side won 8-1.

The Gowfers will be without goalkeeper Jamie Robbie with at least four players requiring fitness tests ahead of the game.

Arbroath will be without Lewis Sivewright who is unable to play against his parent club under the terms of his loan agreement but otherwise should have a reasonably full squad to choose from.

Blairgowrie and Lochee Harp meet at Davie Park. Blairgowrie manager Mark Brash is looking for a vast improvement from his squad following their last game against Dundee East Craigie 10 days ago.

The rest has allowed a few players to rest niggling injuries and Blairgowrie go in to the game with 17 available.

Harp meanwhile were well beaten by Glenafton Athletic at the weekend and co-manager Jonathan Smart, like the Blairgowrie manager, is looking for a response.

Coupar Angus’s Scottish tie against Yoker Athletic was abandoned after 59 minutes on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch and they will try again a week on Saturday. In the meantime they return to Midlands League action at home to Dundee Violet.

Jamie Duncan misses the game for Coupar through suspension but otherwise they should have a full squad. Violet were a little unlucky to lose on penalties to Thorniewood United at Glenesk Park on Saturday,

Dundee St James enjoyed a 2-0 win at Ellon United and will go in to this evening’s game against Brechin Vics in a positive frame of mind.

Vics meanwhile were thrashed 8-1 at home by leaders Carnoustie Panmure but they are well aware it won’t be games against the top sides by which they will be judged, making tonight’s trip to Fairfield Park vital.

Forfar West End remain unbeaten in the League. However they lost 4-2 on Saturday in the cup at Johnstone Burgh and manager Derek Lawson will be hoping for a response as they welcome Tayport to Strathmore Park.

Lawson will be without Dale Riddell, Andy Webster and Ross McLeary who were all sent off at Carnoustie last weekend. Tayport will have been buoyed by their comprehensive victory at Forres Thistle on Saturday.

Lochee United made it into the second round of the Scottish after a 4-1 win at Bridge of Don Thistle but didn’t escape unscathed with Ross Gallagher suffering a broken cheekbone that needed surgery and Calvin Colquhoun damaging a hamstring.

However, a positive for United was the return of Grant Adam after a back injury and he should again be between the sticks against his former side Downfield this evening. The Spiders were beaten 1-0 by Blantyre Vics at the weekend but hope to have a full squad for the game that has been switched to Downfield Park due to electrical issues at Thomson Park.

Letham progressed to the second round of the Scottish, beating Dufftown on penalties after the game had finished 4-4 in regulation time.

This evening the Perth side host Dundee North End. Jamie McKenzie misses out through suspension.

North End also progressed to the second round after a penalty shootout victory over Lesmahagow. Manager Ross Lunan should have the same group of players available.

Broughty Athletic were disappointed to go out of the Cup on penalties to East Kilbride Thistle.

They will be looking to bounce back against Scone Thistle who beat New Elgin 4-2 at Farquharson Park.