Dokens and Fed contest first final in East Region

Silverware would add sheen for league runners-up

The first cup final of the East Region season takes place this afternoon at Tannadice as Dundee North End and Broughty Athletic contest the Signature Signs Cup.

Both teams have beaten sides from East and North regions on their way to the final, with Broughty reaching the final courtesy of a late winner against Banks o’ Dee at Craigie Park, while North End beat Kinnoull at Jeanfield Swifts’ Riverside Park.

It is the first of a potential three finals for Jamie McCunnie’s Broughty side who have semi-finals in the League Cup and East Region Cup still to come, after finishing runners-up to Lochee United in the Super League. North End meanwhile already have the Premier League North title in the bag and also have a quarter-final in the Consolation Cup to look forward to.

Both managers expect to have full squads available for the final but will leave it late before naming their sides.

Carnoustie Panmure will start as favourites against Livingston United at Laing Park in the DJ Laing Cup semifinal but manager Phil McGuire will make sure that the visitors aren’t underestimated after finishing second in the Premier League South and having already secured their place in the Fife & Lothians final against Thornton Hibs.

The Gowfers reached the semi-final after beating Tayport in the second round before Lochee United were thrashed 5-2 at Thomson Park and North End were beaten on penalties.

McGuire will give a late fitness test to Jamie Winter, who had to be replaced at half-time in the League Cup clash with Broughty Athletic last week, but the Gowfers boss will be without Mark Smith. Otherwise McGuire has a full squad to choose from as the Angus club look to reach their second cup final in two seasons after last season’s G A Engineering Cup win.

East Craigie face a tough semi-final in the Thorntons Property League Cup as they host Premier League South champions Pumpherston.

However, East Craigie go into the game full of confidence after beating Super League champions Lochee United twice in the second group section.

East Craigie have a full squad available, with Craigie Park tenants Broughty Athletic or Fauldhouse United awaiting the winners.

Glenrothes are slight favourites by virtue of their Super League position, albeit at the very bottom as they host Lochore Welfare in the quarter-finals of the Consolation Cup.

Welfare are brimming with confidence, however, and will be waiting to put an early end to Glenrothes’ life as a junior club with them heading off to the East of Scotland League.

Both sides have full squads available.

In the Super League, Forfar West End entertain Thornton Hibs at Strathmore Park as both clubs bring the curtain down on their league campaigns.

For West End it will be their fourth game in eight days but manager Daryl Mackenzie will be determined his side end on a high, particularly with a Consolation Cup semi-final on the horizon.

Thornton Hibs travel to Angus in confident mood but may be forgiven for having one eye on Friday night’s Fife & Lothians Cup final against Livingston United at Bathgate Thistle’s Creamery Park.

Manager Craig Gilberts insists his side are heading north determined to take all three points to keep spirits raised for the final and the Hibs boss has a full squad.

Kinnoull and Forfar Albion contest the final game in the Premier League North at Tulloch Park.

It is the final game of a long season for both sides with the respective managers pleased with how things have gone, although at opposite ends of the table.

Kinnoull are in third place behind Luncarty and North End while Albion are third from bottom, but have recorded their highest points total for five seasons, showing both clubs are heading in the right direction.

Kinnoull boss Alan Cameron expects to have a full squad while Albion boss Steven Stewart is without Scott Gordon and Craig Paterson through injury and will add at least two of the under-17s to his squad for the game.