Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Bluebells aim to bloom as title fight warms up
WITH second-placed Lochee United playing third-placed North End and leaders Broughty Athletic facing a tough test at Carnoustie, there could be big changes in the run-in for the league title.
Should Broughty win at Laing Park and Lochee and North End draw, it would put the Fed, who have six games remaining, in an even stronger position to go on and clinch the title.
However, a defeat from the Gowfers would open the door for either the Bluebells or the Dokens who have games in hand.
Broughty have a few players nursing injuries and will make a late selection, while the Gowfers will be looking to build on last week’s win at East Craigie but they will again be without Greg Warwick and Dylan Stephen.
Lochee United host North End and a tense encounter is expected with both sides accepting defeat would be a major blow to their chances of catching Broughty.
Bluebells manager Dougie Cameron is expecting a tough match but has been delighted with the response from his players following the defeat from Broughty a couple of weeks ago.
Elsewhere, Violet meet Forfar United at Glenesk and after two defeats will be looking to get back on the winning trail but will again be without Aiden Lorente who continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
United boss Connor Yeats is looking for a response after the defeat from Coupar Angus but will be without Jack Davie and Josh Gordon.
Arbroath Vics entertain Brechin Vics and the home side welcome back Ryan Buick and Tom Dalgarno but Matty Keogh is suspended.
Brechin have Kieran McGregor back from suspension and Ross Paterson, who missed last week due to work commitments.
Montrose Roselea are strengthened with the return of five players from suspension for their trip to Strathmore Park to face Forfar WE but with three players out injured, manager Eric Watson still faces a selection headache.
West End will be out to avenge a 4-1 defeat when they last met in Montrose.
Dundee St James will be looking for a response after a bad defeat from Blairgowrie but they won’t get it easy at Westview Park where Kirrie Thistle are always difficult to beat, and they will be minus Calum Rennie through suspension.
After ending a run of defeats at Arbroath Vics last weekend, Lochee Harp are looking forward to the visit of Letham but will be without Mark Kelly and David Edelston who are suspended.
Letham will give a vote of confidence to the side who won the Perth derby at Scone last week.
Scone Thistle are at home to Coupar Angus and home manager Charlie King once again faces a selection poser with Black, Jassim, Fraser, Patterson, Stewart and Hepburn all unavailable.
Coupar will be looking to build on the win over Forfar United and widen the gap at the foot of the league.
Downfield are involved in the quarter-final of the Quest Engineering Cup and on current form a trip to face Buchanhaven Hearts should hold no fears.
Tayport host East Craigie in another quarterfinal, with the Fifers posting a full squad.
The Shipbuilders list Paul Constable, Lenny Ewing, Cammy Christie and Paul Moran as doubtful.