Leaders Kennoway look to bounce back

Leaders Kennoway Star Hearts boss Eck Davidson insists his side can bounce back from last week’s defeat at Bathgate Thistle and maintain their promotion push by beating visitors Haddington.

However, the Fife side are without the suspended Nathan Doig and Robbie Patterson who is injured. Michael Lee returns as does Sean Simpson who has been recalled from his loan at Oakley United.

If Tayport’s promotion hopes are to remain viable they must keep winning and that will be no easy task away to a Sauchie side that has lost only once.

But Port go into the game on the back of a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over Downfield last week and being unlucky to only draw with the Beechwood side in the first fixture – the only other game their opponents have failed to win.

Disappointed by last week’s defeat at Tranent, Forfar West End will be expected to return to winning ways against Armadale Thistle who are battling to beat the drop.

They are boosted by Danny Ross, Ross McDonald and Ali Smith all returning from injury.

St Andrews boss Craig Morrison couldn’t hide his disappointment at last week’s poor showing when losing to Glenrothes. Therefore he is demanding a big improvement as they head to bottom-of-the-table Violet.

Indeed Morrison views it as a vital game as victory would give them some breathing space over the bottom three.

With Ryan McInnes and Jason Quinn again unavailable, Morrison must rely on the same squad.

Meanwhile, a Violet victory would hoist them off the bottom, so they too have plenty of incentive.

Again, however, the Glenesk side are short-handed. Gavin Hood, Barry Wilson, Kevin Scott, Craig Batchelor and George Duncan are all missing.

After last week’s win at St Andrews, Glenrothes player/boss John Martin has asked for more of the same from his troops when Downfield check in at Warout.

Martin has the same squad available as the Glens look to extend their good home record.

Downfield head over the Tay hoping to put last week’s Tayport drubbing behind them.

The Spiders have a full squad but after last week’s disappointment changes could well be in the offing.

Clockwise from top: Tayport threaten the Downfield goal in last week’s Premier League game; action from Broughty Athletic’s clash with Lochgelly; North End’s Michael Stewart, who is in charge of the team today; and former North End manager Andy Heggie.