Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Fed 14 points clear after emphatic win at Lochee
LOCHEE United suffered their first league defeat of the season as they were crushed 3-0 by Broughty Athletic in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday.
The win puts the Fed 14 points clear at the top of the table and, on this evidence, they are going to be difficult to catch.
They were two ahead at the break, Adam Brown setting up the first when his cross was swept into the net by Darren Watson and Fraser Matthews doubling the lead before the interval.
Lochee had a spell on top early in the second half but Broughty looked dangerous on the break and finally put the game to bed with 10 minutes to go when Jamie Reid smashed a freekick into the roof of the home net.
Next up for the league leaders is a home game against Arbroath Vics, who welcome back Ryan Buick, but Dean Hardie again misses out.
The Bluebells, who have three games in hand, will be looking to bounce back but won’t get it easy against a Kirrie Thistle side managed by former player Steve McNally.
Elsewhere, Carnoustie will be without the injured Greg Warwick for their home clash against Downfield.
The Spiders are four points ahead of their opponents and also have two games in hand. Downfield have won two of the last three meetings and, after last week’s good win over Letham, they will fancy their chances of picking up three points.
North End may be a long way behind the leaders, but have seven games in hand and, like Lochee United, haven’t given up hope of catching the leaders.
The Dokens have high hopes of picking up three points against Blairgowrie, who are still trying to find their feet under new manager Marco Notarangelo – and they are without Ryan Beedie through suspension.
East Craigie travel to Perth to meet Letham. The Shipbuilders have a clean bill of health but will be minus Paul Constable who is on holiday.
The Perth outfit will have to do without Andrew McKenzie, who is suspended.
Tayport face Forfar United at the Canniepairt and will show little change from the side that won well at Arbroath Vics. Their opponents will be minus Gordon Norrie, who is suspended.
After picking up three points last week, Violet head for Montrose Roselea confident they can turn the table on the 2-1 defeat when the sides met at Glenesk earlier in the season.
Roselea have been hit by suspensions with Robbie Ferries, Blair Stephen and Kieran Thomson all ruled out.
Brechin Vics play host to Forfar West End, who will be without the suspended James Russell, while Vics list a pool of 17.
Dundee St James head for Foxhall Park to meet a Coupar Angus side who have won two of their last three matches.
Coupar will be without Ben Britton and Aiden Lockhart who are both suspended, while St James will show little change from the side that ran Carnoustie close last Saturday.
Lochee Harp meet Scone Thistle at Beechwood and, after struggling for results recently, will be looking for a change of fortune. Scone are without Omar Jassim and Mark Stewart.