Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Bluebells cruise into semi-final
LOCHEE United were on the goal trail again on Wednesday when they followed a seven-goal romp against Kirrie last weekend with a 5-0 win at Letham to take them through to the semi-final of the Quest Engineering Cup.
The Bluebells led 4-0 at halftime thanks to a double from Ryan Paterson and singles from Bobby Linn and Kerr Hay, with Paterson completing his hat-trick with a cracking goal in the second half.
The Bluebells are in action again tomorrow with three points at stake at Brechin Vics.
Vics will be without Kieran McGregor who is suspended but hope to include a trialist.
Meanwhile, league leaders Broughty Athletic face a stiff test at Downfield but having won four of the last five meetings between the clubs, the Fed have good reason to be confident of getting a result.
The Spiders will show little change from the side that hammered Carnoustie while Broughty have a couple of players with niggling injuries and will make a late selection.
Carnoustie manager Paddy Conway is looking for a response after the Downfield result but they won’t get it easy against East Craigie.
The Gowfers will be minus Greg Warwick and Dylan Stephen who are both injured while the return of Paul Constable allows Craigie to name a full strength squad.
North End hope to keep their challenge on track with a trip to Montrose Roselea and with the hosts facing a selection dilemma, the Dokens will fancy their chances of picking up three points.
They will be on the usual lines while Roselea will be without Liam Bailey, Adam Davidson, Connor Sandeman and Kieran Thomson who are all suspended.
Kirrie Thistle will be without the suspended Calum Rennie for the visit of Violet.
The Pansies felt they were unlucky to lose at Montrose last week but are aware the hosts will be out to atone for their hammering from Lochee United.
Tayport visit Strathmore Park to meet a Forfar WE side which continues to improve with each game and will show little change from the side that won well at Brechin Vics.
The Fifers are on a run of decent results, however, and won’t want to come away empty handed.
Arbroath Vics host Lochee Harp who will be without Mark Kelly and Thomas Sweeney who are suspended after picking up red cards last week.
Vics hope to have Connor Gray and Ross Findlay back in their squad but will again be without Dean Hardie.
New Blairgowrie manager Marco Notarangelo is looking to pick up his first win at Fairfield Park against Dundee St James.
He does have a selection problem though with a number of their younger players involved in the Scottish Cup for their juvenile team, Dundee United Sports Club.
He also has one or two injuries to contend with but welcomes back Lewis Gemine to the squad.
Forfar United host Coupar Angus and will be without Jake
Fletcher and David McAuley but Gordon Norrie returns and latest signing Jackson Dobbie will be out to help them get off the bottom of the table.
Scone Thistle face Letham in a local derby at Farquharson Park.
Thistle manager Charlie King said: “We are going through a difficult spell with so many players missing through injuries, but we will get a team on the pitch and am confident the players will respond as the attitudes of everyone has always been positive.”