Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Title race blown open as Bluebells beat Fed
LOCHEE United blew the title race wide open in midweek with their 3-1 victory over league leaders Broughty Athletic and, while the Fed still remain favourites, the result could prove pivotal in the run-in.
There was little between the sides in the early stages but the Bluebells looked that bit more dangerous and it paid off on 25 minutes when Kerr Hay fired them ahead – and they took that lead into the half-time break.
Broughty came out with all guns blazing in the second half and quickly levelled when Rory Faulkner turned a Watson cross into the Lochee net. But Lochee refused to panic and they restored their lead when George Johnstone was fouled in the box and Hay rifled in the resultant spot-kick. The Bluebells clinched a vital win when man-of-the-match Bobby Linn made it 3-1 with 12 minutes to go.
Next up for Lochee is a local derby against Lochee Harp at Thomson Park, while Broughty head for Scone Thistle.
Also in action on Wednesday were Blairgowrie and Violet, with the Berrypickers picking up the points with a 2-0 victory at Davie Park.
Wednesday’s result at Whitton Park was also good news for North End.
The Dokens may be a long way behind but, with eight games in hand, the Lochee win gives them a fighting chance of catching up.
They are at Craigie Park tomorrow and will be on the usual lines, while East Craigie welcome back Andy McDonald and Cammy Christie, but Aiden McDougall is suspended and Jordan Conway and Robbie Norrie face fitness tests.
Carnoustie Panmure head up the coast to meet Arbroath Vics minus Sam Simpson through suspension and Greg Warwick, who is out injured.
Vics welcome back Kevin Durno and David Sturrock to their pool but Scott Milne sits the game out through suspension.
Fourth-placed Downfield are at home to Brechin Vics and the Spiders are unlikely to show many changes from the side that lost narrowly to North End, while Vics list the same pool that beat St James, with the addition of keeper Morrison who returns from injury.
After a poor result last week, St James will be looking to bounce back against Montrose Roselea at Fairfield Park and will be eager to avenge a 3-0 defeat when the sides met in Montrose.
Forfar United manager Connor Yeats is hoping to end a run of defeats with a result against Letham at Guthrie Park.
He does have a selection problem, however, with Jack Davie, Joel Nixon, Cammy Gauhl and Jamie Crosby all out, but Yeats comes back in contention after missing last week through suspension.
Ben Wilson has left the club by mutual consent and headed for pastures new.
Tayport will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing loss to Kirrie Thistle when they face Coupar Angus at the Canniepairt.
The Fifers are likely to be without Greg McColm, while Coupar’s Finlay Turner is sidelined through suspension.
Elsewhere, Kirrie Thistle meet Forfar West End in a local derby at Westview.