Tayport boss wants to build on cup boost

PREmiER LEAGUE

Tayport travel to take on Dalkeith Thistle in confident mood after beating Super League Carnoustie Panmure last weekend in the GA Engineering Cup.

Manager John Ovenstone said: “We have a run of four games in the league and if we want to push to reach the promotion places then we need to go on a run and win them but we will be taking one game at a time.”

Port are expected to be without Kieran Conway through illness, while there are doubts over Dale Reid and Jamie Mackie. However Ovenstone is able to welcome back Stuart Walton and Gary Sutherland.

Last weekend Violet reached the semi-finals of the GA Engineering Cup with victory over East Craigie but this weekend it’s back to the fight to stay in the Premier League with a massive game against fellow strugglers Armadale Thistle at Glenesk Park.

Unfortunately for Violet boss Ralph Henderson he is without seven players for the game and will be down to the bare bones for a must-win game.

Daryl McKenzie’s Forfar West End were the main beneficiaries of last week’s draw between Kennoway and Arniston but the West End boss is fully aware that his side now need to reinforce it with a win at home to Downfield.

McKenzie’s side sit second, three points behind Kennoway but with two games in hand.

West End’s only injuries are longterm missing Matty Ramsey and Liam Godfrey.

The Spiders go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Bathgate and will be looking to dent West End’s progress.

Glenrothes player manager John Martin resigned at the start of the week so Willie Campbell has been placed in charge of the club.

This weekend Glens travel to Haddington, who last weekend demolished Armadale 6-0, so the Fife side are in for a tough afternoon.

James Russell is unavailable but otherwise Campbell has a full squad.

For St Andrews United the next two league games are as big as they get – but for the wrong reasons. This weekend they face fellow strugglers Whitburn at Barnetts Park before making the short trip across to Dundee next weekend to take on Violet.

Saints have taken just four points from nine league games under Craig Morrison and are on the edge of the relegation places. Unfortunately for them, Whitburn have six and Violet have four games in hand.

Morrison expects to have a full squad available for the game.

Kennoway conceded a late equaliser at home to Arniston last weekend and ended up having to share the points with the clubs around them benefiting from the slip-up.

Eck Davidson will be looking for a reaction from his side as they make the trip south to take on Tranent.

The Fife side remain on top of the pile but the three teams below have games in hand. Davidson expects to have the same squad available as drew last weekend.