Amateur Football

CALEY LEAGUE TEAMS DOMINATE LAST 32 OF SCOTTISH St James’ 3-0 defeat in the fifth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup on Saturday by Thorn Athletic means that a quarter of the 32 sides in round six of the competition are from the mighty Caledonian League, writes our Amateurs correspondent. Perhaps, unfortunately, on Saturday the Midland’s two remaining sides, Douglas Athletic and Lowson United, meet two of the Caley eight in the shape of Milton AFC and Stenhousemuir Community AFC, respectively.

Douglas, whose game was postponed at the weekend, have a home tie against a team lying third in the Caley Premier, while Lowson’s chances of progressing are probably as good as Douglas’ as their match is against a side in the Caley’s third tier, albeit away.

Lowson got some shooting practice on Saturday defeating Lochee Albion 10-0 in a Division 1 league match. But as far as that championship is concerned Montrose AFC were also on winning form with a Duncan Martin last minute goal enough to steal all the points from AHSFP. Montrose, with a huge lead, seem nailed on for the title with AHSFP, Lowson, Finavon and Forfar West End scrapping away for the other promotion spot.

The chasing pack do have games in hand but the nearest the best placed can come is to within five points of the leaders who only have six games to play. The premier shock on Saturday was title holders Menzieshill AFC’S 3-2 defeat by visitors Merpro.

While it is highly unlikely that the winners will top the table at the season end the feelgood factor of being there just now should stand them in good stead.

Goals from Dan Maillie and Aaron Stephen gave the Montrose side a 2-0 lead by the 35th minute. Ross Grant got one back before half-time but Stephen bagged another on the hour mark. Although Lee Roeleveld made it 3-2 10 minutes later the scheme side could not get an equaliser, despite constant pressure. Potentially the champions could find themselves six points behind title favourites Douglas Athletic if the latter win their game in hand.

The other two Premier matches involved a couple of clubs trying to protect their top division status. Aaron Conway was the match winner for Carnoustie Panmure YM against threatened Newport with a classy nap hand. Thomas Law, Chris Millar and Zyad Bjeirmi did the rest of the damage as the Fifers went down 8-2.

Logie Harp could have done with a share of the points against Morgan Academy FPS but, after a mighty effort, lost out 5-4.

Down 3-1 at half-time Harp got back level and with that momentum were on top for a spell. However, the Academy responded with a late brace and, although a last-minute goal made it 5-4, Morgan had done enough to edge it. Jason Alexander (2), Steven Rice, Steven Smith and Neal Bone scored for the school side with Nathan Tosh, Danny Albayati (2) and Jamie Irvine striking for the visitors.

In the Bremner Cup there were wins for Barnhill, Lochee United, Tayside Fire Brigade, Wellbank and Finavon. Despite going two goals behind to Invergowrie, Broughty United are also through.

Goals from Ryan Carling, Steven Howie and Liam Barrie (2) got them into round two by a 4-2 margin.