Starring role for Tayside clubs as cup centre stage

The quarter-finals of the GA Engineering Cup take centre-stage and Tayside dominates, providing seven of the last eight clubs involved. North League leaders

take a breather from the title race and are favourites to book a place in the semi-final against guests

Thistle gaffer Jim Finlayson, however, is not counting any chickens.

He said: “They may be in the lower half of the table, but they always give you a hard game.

“In fact, even although we beat them 4-2, it was one of the toughest games of the season.”

Finlayson again has a available.

Sam McDonald returns for Harp, who are missing Derryn Kesson (suspended) and Connaire Connelly (cup-tied).

North Region’s sole survivors are Hermes, who are away to full squad

The Super League visitors are currently in the relegation play-off place, so the Fed will be highly hopeful of progressing.

Boss Keith Gibson is not taking anything for granted, having noted their rivals have beaten Jeanfield and Forfar WE in cup competitions this season.

Gibson welcomes back fit-again Jamie Winter, but Brian Clark, Danny Cavanagh and Jake Mair are still out.

There is a local derby at the Canniepairt where host

The hosts suffered their first home defeat last week at Kennoway’s hands which seriously jeopardises their Premier promotion hopes.

Player boss John Ovenstone won’t admit defeat just yet and hopes a win over Super League Carnoustie could put them back on track.

Port are without the suspended Stuart Walton while Carnoustie manager Alan McSkimming is still without John Roberts and Scott Gray as well as Ryan Roche and Roddy Black, though the latter pair have resumed training.

Glenesk stages the other derby with welcoming

in a match that could go local either way.

The Pansies may be in the Premier League, but are struggling at the bottom.

Having ousted Lochee United in an earlier round, the Shipbuilders showed their capabilities.

Apart from Graeme Mcleish being a 50/50 doubt Craigie have a full pool available.

The Pansies are missing Robertson as he is cup tied. Scott