The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Glenrothes sense double trouble
Glenrothes will be looking to complete a double over Fauldhouse United as the Fife side travel to Park View to take on Jon Connolly’s men in the Super League.
However, United are much improved and were deserved 3-1 winners at Kirriemuir Thistle last weekend.
Like many clubs, Glens are suffering with a lengthy injury list. Aidan Anderson is out and he is joined by Lee Celentano.
Manager Barry Cockburn has had to rest a couple of players during the week to give them a chance of making the match.
It’s a big game at Treaton Park as Kennoway Star Hearts who, despite an improvement in performances remain bottom, take on Kirriemuir Thistle, who are just two places above them.
Kevin Byers expects to have the same squad at his disposal that thrashed Newburgh 5-0 in the League Cup.
Kirriemuir will be determined to put last week’s home defeat by Fauldhouse United firmly behind them.
Chris Kettles has the same squad available but hasn’t ruled out changes to the starting line-up.
Tayport appointed the experienced Stevie Kay as their new manager with Willie Campbell as his assistant and the duo face a baptism of fire as Super League leaders Lochee United visit The Canniepairt.
Kay has a number of injuries ahead of his first game. Struan Christie suffered a broken leg in last week’s first home league defeat by Thornton Hibs and he is joined on the sidelines by Connor Ireland. Conor Gray is on holiday but Kay is able to include Kris Rollo and Stephen Duffy after suspension.
Thornton Hibs have maybe surprised one or two this season but there is no doubt that their performances are worthy of their position in third place behind Broughty Athletic and Lochee United. This weekend Craig Gilbert’s men host fourth-placed Forfar West End, although seven points behind, at Memorial Park. Hibs are at full strength for the game.
Forfar West End go in on the strength of a 2-0 win over Brechin Vics in the League Cup.
West End boss Daryl McKenzie admitted after the game that his side made things difficult for themselves against a hard-working Vics side and he will be looking for an improvement against Hibs. McKenzie expects to have the same squad available.
Blairgowrie put up a good fight against Lochee United last time out and manager Mark Brash will be hoping that his side can carry that forward into this weekend’s important Premier League North clash with Forfar Albion.
Brash is able to welcome back Robbie Hood and Gordon Pirie to the squad although Cammy McManus is on holiday and Gary Axworthy and Darren Neave are both injured.
North End put 12 past Arbroath Vics while this week’s opponents at North End Park Coupar Angus shipped 14 at Broughty Athletic.
So it is very difficult to predict anything other than another glut of goals for the Premier League North leaders. Ross Lunan expects to have a full squad available.
Coupar Angus make the trip to North End on the back of a real thrashing and it would be a major shock if they were to get a favourable result this weekend.
The Angus club expect to have a number of trialists in a squad of 18.
Luncarty travel to Downfield Park to face Lochee Harp looking to keep the pressure on league leaders North End. Like their opponents, Luncarty were also guilty of throwing away a lead and Jonny Kelly will be looking for no repeat this weekend.
The Bleachers expect to have the same squad available.
Scone Thistle were bitterly disappointed to go down to a Steven McPhee free-kick, albeit a great one, against Carnoustie but Derek Lawson will be wanting his side to carry forward that performance for the visit of Dundee Violet to Farquharson Park.
Lawson is able to welcome back Max Avolio, Darren Gray and Arran McKay but will be without Andy McKenzie.
Violet boss John Dunn will be hoping his side can repeat the result of the return fixture earlier in the season with Violet winning 2-0 at Glenesk Park.
Violet’s injury list is gradually shortening but Dunn will once more include some of the under-19 squad in a bid to alleviate the pressure.
Rosyth came from behind twice last weekend to take a point at home to Lochore Welfare and will have to show the same determination as they travel to take on Harthill Royal.
Harthill are a place above the Fife side in the Premier League South table.
Mike Macmillan returns to the squad but Conor Drury is suspended
Kirkcaldy YM manager Craig Ness was pleased with the way his side came back from 2-0 down at Livingston United in the League Cup.
But he was disappointed that they had got themselves into the position in the first place.
This weekend the Fife club make the same trip in the league. Ness is without Callum Geddes and Ross Ogden but is able to include Ewan Henderson.
There’s a Fife Derby at Gardiners Park as Lochgelly Albert host Lochore Welfare and it is given extra bite as former Lochore boss Andy Healy is now at Lochgelly.
Healy expects to have the same squad available that lost at home to Stoneyburn last weekend, while new Lochore boss James Adam is able to welcome back Gary Inglis – who has been on loan at Dundonald – and Logan Donaldson.
But Adam will be without Liam Valentine, Lewis Thomson and Davie Byrne.
Newburgh will be desperate to put an end to their awful form on the road, particularly after their 100% home record ended last weekend.
They make the journey to Stoneyburn and manager Scott Hudson expects to have a full squad available.