Swifts confident of beating the weather
But boss knows Beith will be tall order
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion is confident the club’s Scottish Junior Cup clash with Beith will get the green light this weekend.
The fourth round clash has been postponed for two consecutive weeks but the Riverside pitch is expected to be playable on Saturday.
Gunnion was not hiding away from the size of the task facing his players against competition favourites Beith, who hail from Ayrshire.
“I think we’re confident the game will be played this week,” Gunnion said. “The pitch is looking in good condition and fingers crossed the weather stays kind.
“We’ve had Beith watched a few times and got some information on them that we’ve been conveying to the squad over the last couple of weeks. The fact is they are favourites to win the competition for a reason.
“They have a strong, experienced squad capable of competing at the highest level in the Junior game and will prove a tough test.
“However, they aren’t infallible and we have managed to identify some areas we believe we can exploit.
“Our players will need to play well and play smart if we are to get a win.”
Gunnion knows there will be number of disappointed players when the team is announced on Saturday afternoon.
He said: “We have built up a strong squad and each week there is always a group of players disappointed not to be starting or involved.
“But that’s the nature of the game and everyone knows they need to perform well in training and in games to be in with a chance of starting.
“It’s a headache I’d much rather have than not have.”
In the North Division, Coupar Angus boss Logan McConachie is also sure that their game with Lochee Harp will go ahead.
The Foxhall Park side are yet to play a competitive fixture this year and McConachie said: “I’m pretty certain that the game will be on this weekend.
“We were close last weekend so I’m praying for the climate to stay the same.
“We’ve played two league games in the last 11 weeks.
“Some teams have been more fortunate than us but the reality is there is only so much longer players, volunteers and fans will put up with it.
Beith will head for the Riverside in high spirits
“There have been a lot of bounce games and training but the other challenge is finding a suitable facility that is available.
“Lochee Harp gave us a day to forget on the opening day of the season.
“Their results have been infrequent since then though and we’ll look to give some payback this weekend.”
Elsewhere, Kinnoull welcome Lochore Welfare, Scone Thistle are at home against Forfar Albion while Blairgowrie host Dundee Violet.
Luncarty are the only Perthshire team in East of Scotland Cup action with Jon Kelly’s men facing a tough match away at Fauldhouse.
Kelly said: “This will be another big test for us but we are looking forward to another competitive match.”
We have managed to identify some areas we believe we can exploit