Localteams areupforthe leaguecup
Jeanfield Swifts, Luncarty and Kinnoull will take a break from league action as the first round of the East of Scotland League Cup takes place this weekend.
Swifts will be looking to use the spirit of their historic Scottish Cup run earlier this season in their fixture against Penicuik Athletic at Montgomery Park on Saturday.
The Riverside club made it to the third round of the famous competition at the tail end of 2023 - smashing Elgin City 6-0 en route - before being knocked out by Clyde. The team’s incredible journey gave Swifts supporters memories to last a lifetime.
Now manager Robbie Holden is aiming for another deep cup run.
“This week is our final cup of the season so we want to get as far as we can,”he said.
“Having played Penicuik away a few weeks ago we know it’s going to be a tricky surface and a dangerous team.
“We are in good spirit going into the game so hopefully we can use that to get through to the next round.”
Holden’s team returned to winning ways with a 3-1 Premier Division victory against Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts last weekend. The return of star striker Dayle Robertson, who helped himself to a brace, was a highlight.
“It was great to get a tough three points against a well organised side,”the manager explained.
“It was good that Dayle scored a couple, he has chipped in with a number of important goals for us.”
Meanwhile Luncarty, who won the Alex Jack Cup in 2023, visit Haddington Athletic whom they beat 1-0 in the Premier Division last month.
“It was nice to get a win under our belts and to get it in the league as well,”said boss Mark Baxter.
“Every game is different, even though the incentive should always be to win.
“We have done really well in cup games in recent times. Haddington are an established team and we have shown we are capable of getting points against them. We want to win as many games as we can regardless of if it’s cup or league. “Then momentum will come.
“I am not using this as a free hit - we will try and do it on the day.
“We have brought in a few players to add to the squad that we have got, and there will be more.”
He added:“training has been good and has always been a high standard. We have had so many games since I have been in charge where we have just not had the rub of the green.
“But the boys have been really good and every one of them is trying.
“That is all you can ask.”
Fellow Premier Division side Kinnoull travel to Third Division mid-tablers Stoneyburn.
League Cup games kick-off at 2.30pm.
OTHER FIXTURES
Junior football for March 2 (2.30pm KO): Midlands League - Coupar Angus v Dundee St James, Dundee North End v Blairgowrie, Letham v Dundee East Craigie, Lochee Harp v Scone Thistle.
Perthshire amateurs for March 2 (2pm KO): Division One - Breadalbane v Alyth, Letham v Kettins, St Johns v Jeanfield Swifts, Vale of Earn v Burrelton Rovers.
Division Two - Aucterarder Primrose v Kinnoull Reds, Luncarty v Stanley, Methven v Abernethy, Vale of Atholl v Bridgeton United, Wolfhill v FC Romania.