Gunnion sees benefits to delayed cup clash

Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion has admitted that the postponement of last weekend’s Scottish Cup tie has had a couple of advantages after the initial disappointment faded away.

A waterlogged pitch forced their clash with Linlithgow Rose to be put back seven days.

The Swifts boss is hoping that will mean three of his injured players could be available and, with St Johnstone not playing, it should mean a bigger crowd at the Riverside

The winners will progress to the first round of the competition and face Huntly at home.

Gunnion said: “Anytime St Johnstone aren’t playing we usually see a wee lift in our attendance of 30 to 40. We lost out on hospitality last weekend but a bigger crowd should make up for that.

“We were expecting between 300 and 400 last weekend but hopefully we’ll now get between 400 and 500, which would be great.”

Gunnion added: “We had three players away in Holland playing futsal and they arrived back in Scotland at about 10 in the morning last Saturday.

“They would have been available but obviously having another week is a bonus. We’ve also got three players coming back from injury who might now make it.”

On the match, he said: “We’re two wellmatched sides. There was only one goal in our games last season and we know each other well.

“Nobody’s thinking about the next round. Our focus is on Saturday.

“I’ve noticed a real determination and intensity in training this week which hopefully we’ll bring into the game.”

The match has a 3pm kick-off and it is £6 entry for adults and £3 for concessions.

Ross Gunnion hopes for big crowd.