Carnoustie and Craigie vying to reach cup final

Who’ll contest this season’s GA Engineering Cup will be decided this afternoon.

Although it is a competition which Tayside clubs have generally held sway, the two Tayside clubs involved – Carnoustie and East Craigie – face difficult ties against two North Region Super League sides if they hope to make it an all-Tayside affair.

Whilst the Gowfers have home advantage over Stonehaven, the Shipbuilders head north to take on Hermes.

Underlining how tough it will be for Craigie to reach a first GA Cup final is that hosts Hermes are second top of their game.

But with the scalps of Lochee United and Culter, albeit after penalty shoot-out successes, plus North League Champions North End, there is no doubt the Shipbuilders are capable of creating a bit of club history. Not to mention the fact they are on a run of 11 straight wins.

Robert Smith misses the trip while Cameron Christie faces a late fitness test.

All three of Carnoustie’s wins en route to the penultimate round have been by a 3-1 scoreline with Scone Thistle, Longside and Jeanfield Swifts their victims. And last week’s 7-0 trouncing of Swifts and a 2-1 win over Forfar West End on Wednesday has taken Alan McSkimming’s men five points clear of the drop zone, so they can approach this tie in a relaxed mode.

With Bailey Steel still suspended and no fresh injuries, McSkimming has the same squad available.

Panmure boss Alan McSkimming.