Brechin City face up to what could be make-or-break day in SPFL survival bid

Quest Precision Engineering Cup Round 3

The last eight representatives from Courier Country join their counterparts from the North Region in the third round of the Quest Precision Engineering Cup today.

Downfield are favourites to come out on top of their trip to take on Forres Thistle at Logie Park.

It’s an age-old cliché, but games aren’t won on paper. Forres will be far from a pushover for the Spiders as they top North Region Division Two with 12 wins from 14 games and Downfield manager Paul Marr will make sure his side are not complacent.

Marr is expected to have a full squad available for the trip north.

Forfar West End take a welcome break from the toils of a basement battle in the Super League North as they head to Peterhead to take on Buchanhaven Hearts.

Despite their struggles, West End should have more than enough to take care of a Hearts side who sit ninth in the North Region First Division.

Boss Derek Lawson has a few selection problems as Calum Petrie is suspended, Callum Walls is injured and Rikki Gillespie and Andy Webster are both cup-tied.

North End are the fourth side from the area to head north as they travel to New Advocates Park to face Aberdeen East End.

The Dokens are still a side in transition following a change of manager and it doesn’t get any easier for new boss Tony Mcauley, who only has 12 fit players available with Owen Mccabe, Jamie Montgomery and Mark Stewart all injured and Craig Batchelor cup-tied.

Lochee United take a break from the Super League North title race as they welcome Banchory St Ternan to Thomson Park.

The visitors sit 10th in the North Super League with four wins from 14 games – seven points behind Montrose Roselea.

United boss George Shields will be forced into changes with Josh Gorton and Andy Ballantine cup-tied.

East Craigie will go into their clash with Fraserburgh United as favourites on the back of their excellent record in the Premier League North.

The Shipbuilders will be minus the services of Calum Faulkner.

The tie of the round is at Laing Park where North Region Super League leaders Banks O’dee visit Super League North leaders Carnoustie.

The visitors are nine points clear at the top with a 100% record and will prove tough opponents for Phil Mcguire’s Gowfers.

Mcguire expects to have a full squad available – but his plans to rotate his squad have been hit with a number of players carrying knocks.

Blairgowrie will be another team to go into their tie as favourites as they welcome Dufftown to Davie Park and Luncarty head north to take on Culter at Crombie Park.

Thorntons Property Cup Round 2

With some teams in Quest Precision Engineering Cup action some of the region’s other clubs have ties in the Thorntons Property Cup.

There is an all-super League North clash at Whitton Park as Broughty Athletic face Scone Thistle.

Jamie Mccunnie’s side won their league encounter 3-1 and will be confident of progressing to the next round.

The only definite Fed absentee is Josh Skelly with a thigh injury but at least a couple of players will need fitness tests.

Scone make the trip on the back of a 1-1 draw with Downfield at Farquharson Park but manager Sean Whitworth is without defender Sam Sanchez, with an ankle knock, and long-term casualty Arran Mckay.

Mcbookie.com East Region Super League North

Tayport boss Chris Mcpherson will be looking for his side to bounce back from narrow defeats to Auchinleck Talbot and Carnoustie as they travel to take on Kirrie Thistle at Westview Park.

Mcpherson is able to welcome back Dayle Robertson from Scotland Futsal duty in Belgium but is without skipper Ryan Suttie who was sent off last week.

Thistle have hit a bad patch but boss Darren Scott will be hoping his side can return to winning ways.

Scott is without Dino Leddie, Gary Robertson, Stuart Mckenna and Ryan Cormack.

Mcbookie.com East Region Premier League North

Brechin Vics continue to look for a replacement for manager Andy Davie as well as looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Coupar Angus.

Vics take on bottom club Forfar Albion at Victoria Park.

Adam Renilson is the only absentee due to work commitments, while Albion are without Ross Jamieson.

Violet boss Andy Heggie will be looking for a response after his side were well beaten by promotion-chasing Blairgowrie last week.

However, it won’t be a simple task for the Pansies as they host Arbroath Vics.

Vics are one of the region’s in-form sides but they go into the game without Kellon Lyons and Mike Fotheringham. On the plus side, Ben Fraser returns to action.

Lochee Harp host Coupar Angus at Downfield Park on the back of a 3-1 win over Forfar Albion last week. Harp boss Michael Gormley is expected to have the same squad available.

Mcbookie.com North Region Super League

Montrose Roselea continue their Super League campaign at home to Deveronside at Links Park.

The injury-hit Angus side will leave their selection late for a game which would – should they win – see them go level on points with the Banff side but below them on goal difference.