Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Local duo chasing quarter-final slot
CARNOUSTIE and Lochee United carry local hopes into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow.
The Gowfers have home advantage against Arthurlie, while the Bluebells head for Ayrshire to meet Irvine Meadow.
Both opponents are former winners of the trophy but it’s fair to say their best days are in the past.
Arthurlie will be facing Tayside opposition for a second time, having met Coupar Angus in the third round.
While they ran out 3-1 winners at Barrhead, they certainly didn’t overwhelm the Foxhall Park club.
Arthurlie may have done well to reach this stage of the competition but their league form has been less impressive. They currently sit second bottom of the Super League Premier Division, having won only once in 10 outings, drawing four.
Carnoustie have reserved some of their most impressive performances this season in the Scottish, with notable victories away to Kilsyth in the last round and a home win over Petershill in the previous round.
Despite last week’s controversial 3-0 defeat to Linlithgow, the Gowfers should go into the tie with a fair degree of confidence, although they will be without the injured Jake Mair and Luke McGeehan is working.
Meanwhile, although Irvine Meadow are failing to set the heather on fire in the Super League First Division, their performances in the cup should signal a warning to Lochee United.
The Bluebells are the third East Region club Meadow have met this season, having beaten both Dunbar and Broxburn in previous rounds.
George Shields’ side have had a fairly-comfortable passage through to this stage, beating Armadale 1-0 in round two and being awarded the tie in the next round when Johnstone Burgh couldn’t raise a team.
They then walloped East Kilbride Thistle 5-0 to reach the fifth round.
Thomson Park boss Shields hopes to add a striker in time to make the trip to Ayrshire but will be without Kevin Buchan and Paddy Deane.