Amateur Football

PREMIER GOALRUSH It was not a good Saturday for some Premier sides as player fatigue, injuries and suspensions and the extraordinary fixture schedule made for some unusual results, writes our Amateur correspondent.

In the three Premier matches played 30 goals were scored, so no defences were on top. Carnoustie YM can look forward to their Bremner Cup final against Douglas Athletic this Friday at Tannadice Park (7pm) on the back of their 7-3 victory over St James.

Braces from Michael Fotheringham and Paul Hamilton and singles from Graeme Mcleish, Dan Smith and Fraser Sturrock set them up for a go at lifting the Midlands Cup. Menzieshill AFC are preparing for the North of Tay against Douglas later in the month and enjoyed a confidence-boosting 14-0 win over Tayside Fire Brigade.

Four from Ross Grant and three from Steve Archibald made up half of the counters, with Kevin Eagan (2), Liam Eagan, Iain Mclean, Derek Mitchell, Lawrence Cavin and Billy Ross getting the remainder. Without taking any plaudits away from the winners, the Firies were understrength on the day.

Lochee United also have a date with Douglas, in the semi-final of the Buckman Mackie, and their 6-0 defeat of Broughty United keeps them on a good footing as well. A Danny Moir hat-trick and strikes from Elliott Tosh, John Penman and Ryan Stewart got them through comfortably.

Douglas joined Lochee in the semi of the latter cup, winning 3-0 against Morgan FP thanks to goals from Lyall Murdoch, Bradley Etchells and Bob Malone. The FPS had their chances to keep in the match but their finishing was not as clinical as Bob Mckenzie’s men. While Douglas seem certain to lift the Premier title and Montrose have already lifted the Division 1 equivalent, the race is on for the second promotion spot to the Premier.

AHSFP, Forfar West End, Finavon and Lowson United are still all in with a chance with only a few fixtures remaining.

While AHSFP lead the pack presently, they can be overtaken. Their 2-0 win over Kirriemuir Thistle on Saturday helped their cause while the others were inactive. Andrew Gunning and Chris Nicol were the scorers.