Fed aiming to start the year with a win

NORMAL service will be resumed for the juniors tomorrow following their two-week break and many managers will be hoping the new year signals a change in their fortunes.

Broughty Athletic head for Newtongrange and manager Keith Gibson is determined his players will be focused to end a run of six games without a win.

He said: “Prior to the break we drew matches against Linlithgow and Jeanfield to end a run of four defeats.

“However, if we are to achieve the targets we have set in the second half of the season, we must hit the ground running at Newtongrange and get a positive result.”

Although it was only a friendly, Gibson wasn’t too i mpressed with their performance in a 2-2 draw with Violet in midweek and will be looking for a big improvement.

He has a full pool to choose from for tomorrow’s clash.

Lochee United manager George Shields is another who is hoping the break will see the Bluebells revitalised after a disappointing end to the year.

The Thomson Park side lost their last three matches before the break and tomorrow’s encounter against bottom club Fauldhouse United should provide them with the ideal opportunity to get their season back on track.

Lochee were 5-0 winners when they met at the start of the season but any sort of victory would be welcomed by Shields and his coaches.

They will, however, be without Connor Birse and Scott McComiskie.

Jeanfield Swifts head to Linlithgow Rose who, surprisingly, sit fourth from bottom in the table.

With relegation-threatened Swifts just a couple of places below them, they badly need to take something from this game. Mark Duigan is Swifts’ only absentee. Meanwhile, Carnoustie will be hoping to kick off the year with a win over Arbroath Vics in a second-round tie in the East of Scotland Cup.

The Gowfers will be firm favourites against the North League outfit but will be without Roddy Black, John Roberts, Mike McIlravey and Robert Urquhart.

Vics’ only doubt is Connor Gray, whose groin strain will require a late fitness test.

North End (white) met Menzieshill Rovers in a friendly on Craigie 3G during the festive break.