Bleachers victory is ‘best of the season’
Kelly applauds team after defeating champions
Luncarty manager Jon Kelly labelled his side’s convincing 5-1 win against North Division champions Dundee North End as their best performance of the season.
The Bleachers turned on the style at Brownlands Park on Saturday with striker Dale Smart taking plenty of plaudits after bagging a hat-trick.
Callum Kirkaldy and Robbie Millar were also on the scoresheet for Luncarty, who sit fourth in the latest standings with games in hand.
“I would say that was our best performance of the season,” said boss Kelly. “We knew we would need to be at our best and we certainly delivered that.
“I could not fault one player in our squad on Saturday and I was delighted with them at the final whistle.
“Some of the football that was on show was a delight to watch. Those who paid in got their money’s worth.
“I am delighted for Dale as I know the talent that he has.
“It’s his first season in Junior football and it has not gone all his way. But he has learned a lot and it all came together
Luncarty boss Jon Kelly was thrilled to watch Dale Smart net a hat-trick on Saturday.
“I hope he can now move forward to play a big part in our run in.”
Luncarty travel to play Newburgh on Wednesday evening with Kelly adding: “We have to prepare for what will be a tough test.
“We will have a light training session on Monday and get the squad in the best shape possible for the coming games.”
Kinnoull brought the curtain down on their North Division campaign in style with a 4-1 Perthshire derby win against Blairgowrie.
The Perth side, who ended the season 11 games unbeaten, were helped on their way to victory by striker Mark Smith’s hat-trick.
Darren Gray was also on target for the hosts at Tulloch Park with Darren Neave netting Blair’s only goal of the game.
The result had players in a celebratory mood heading into their annual awards night in the evening.
Player of the Year was George Hughes while Greg Whyte picked up the Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year.
Jordan Davidson was named Clubman of the Year with Young Player of the Year going to Pat Brown.
Elsewhere, there was a weekend 2-1 victory for Coupar Angus against Newburgh with Lee Maloney scoring twice to seal the three points.
Super League side Jeanfield Swifts battled back twice before eventually losing out 3-2 away at Hill of Beath.
Gary Fergus and Tony Holt netted in the defeat as manager Ross Gunnion looked at the positives.
“I thought it was a very even game,” he told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“We played more football but Hill of Beath had a significant physical threat and they managed to get the win through taking advantage of set pieces.
“I think a draw would have been a fair result but unfortunately for us we couldn’t quite get that equaliser.
“We definitely showed more determination and willingness to get forward.
“I suppose it’s a positive to say that the players were going to try and win a game at 2-2 rather than protect what we had.”
Swifts welcome bottom of the table Forfar West End to the Riverside on Wednesday night.
Gunnion added: “Forfar West End is a big game as we’re determined to stay out of the bottom two.
“The league reconstruction means that there probably won’t be relegation this year.
“But that shouldn’t take anything away from the match and the players need to play for their own personal pride as much as anything.
“West End are very rarely beaten well. They battle and scrap for everything, and what they lack in quality they make up for in determination.
“We’ll need to match effort levels and work rate before we can let our quality come through.” Wednesday fixtures (7pm): Super League - Jeanfield Swifts v Forfar West End. North Division - Forfar Albion v Blairgowrie, Newburgh v Luncarty.