North of Tay Cup action
Perthshire’s amateur football teams will blow off the festive cobwebs when they return to the field for the first fixtures of the new year.
And there are a number of mouthwatering ties to kick 2019 into life with North of Tay Cup clashes set to make interesting viewing.
An all Perthshire tussle will take place at the North Inch when St Johns welcome Letham for qualifying round three action.
The teams are currently battling at the top of the A&B Taxi Division One but attentions turn to the knockout tournament this weekend.
St Johns boss Jimmy Carle is looking forward to the match and is hoping for a positive result.
He said:“There’s a bit of rivalry between the teams so it will be good for the neutral and a good game to watch.
“It’s a competition we’ve never won before so it’s quite high up in our priorities. We’ll be hoping for a win. We’re a little bit short in numbers but have made a few signings.
“We got beat 3-1 against Letham at the start of the season and we ended up getting two men sent off. We’re looking to bounce back from that.
“The second half of the season is very important for us. We’ve managed to get through the first half of the season with one defeat.
“We’ve still got Letham to play in the league and have already played a lot of the decent teams twice.
“There’s still going to be hurdles there but I definitely think we’re in a good position.”
Jeanfield Swifts amateurs also have their sights set on advancing to the next stage of the North of Tay Cup.
The Perth side are on home duty at the Riverside against Division Two rivals Coupar Angus.
Swifts are out for some revenge after losing to the east Perthshire men in the league earlier in the season.
Jeanfield assistant manager Lee Kelman said:“We’ll look to bounce back against Coupar Angus in the North of Tay on the back of the defeat against them earlier in the season.
“We’ve been active in the Christmas break with two friendlies against first division sides, which hopefully has maintained fitness and sharpness.
“I’m expecting the fixture will see a lot of football played as both teams like to get the ball down and move it around.
“The league is the main priority but a good cup run gives the players a bit of freedom in games. There’s maybe not as much pressure than in league games.”
Full Perthshire Amateur Football fixtures for Saturday, January 5: A&B Taxi Division One - Breadalbane v Auchterarder, Craigie v Ballinluig, Vale of Earn v Kettins. Smart Fixings Division Two - Alyth v Bridgeton United, Dunkeld and Birnam v Pitfour, Kinrossie v Strathearn Grove, Scone Thistle v Rattray, Wolfhill v Vale of Atholl. North of Tay Cup - Balmoral United v Finavon, Burrelton Rovers v Dundee United SC, Dryburgh v Bridge of Earn, Jeanfield Swifts v Coupar Angus, Polteam v Parktool, St Johns v Letham.