Large crowd expected attulloch Park for cup semi

TONIGHT’S CARD sees three local clubs trying to reach prestigious finals, writes our junior football correspondent.

Tulloch Park is expected to draw its biggest crowds of the season for the visit of Sauchie in the semi-final of the East of Scotland Cup.

Already in next Saturday’s GA Engineering Cup Final in which they face Culter, boss Gavin Price is hoping his troops can make it through to an even more prestigious final on June 2.

Both sides were in action on Monday, Sauchie winning at Arniston to become Premier League Champions, while the Perth side were losing at Thornton.

But there is no doubt that the hosts had one eye on tonight’s semi and they should be back to near full strength, but Keith Dewar is an injury doubt with Gary Fraser definitely out through suspension.

And if Kinnoull progress, with Dundonald Bluebell welcoming St Andrews United there could be an all-central League final to this the second most prestigious competition in the calendar.

However, even with home advantage it would be a major upset if the Bluebell were to put one over their Super League visitors.

Adding intrigue to this all-kingdom clash is that the match marks Archie Wyse’s return to the mana- gerial hot-seat after a year’s sabbatical following his departure from Glenrothes almost exactly 12 months ago.

Wyse was only introduced to the players on Monday evening, but has a track record second to none, and will relish the challenge of trying to reach a final in his first game back.

Given, however, the way St Andrews swept aside Super League title favourites Bonnyrigg in Saturday’s quarter-final, that will be easier said than done,

The Saints squad will be on similar lines as at the weekend which means that Paul Farquharson and Darren Wilson are still missing.

Meanwhile, Kirkcaldy YM fly the Fife flag at home to Broxburn in the semi-final of the Fife & Lothians Cup to decide who’ll meet Linlithgow Rose in Saturday’s final.

For the visitors, it will be an early taste of what to expect next season after having been just promoted to the Super League.

This is Kelty’s biggest game of the season and with hopefully a big crowd behind them they can reach the final for the third time in their history.

Kelty Hearts have announce that club captain Tam Courts and influential midfielder Darren Smith have both extended their contracts with the club.

Both players have had a good season at Central Park and are important in the plans to take the club forward for next season.

In last night’s only fixture, Bankfoot’s 2-1 win at Steelend in their final fixture hoisted them two places up to fifth in the Central League.

Sean Fergus headed the Bankies in front after 14 minutes and Bally why tock doubled their lead midway through the second half.

Although Andrew Watt pulled one back four minutes later, the visitors held on and will now hope near neighbours Kinnoull can do them a favour and beat Newburgh on Saturday so they finish fifth. Tonight’s fixtures: East of Scotland Cup semi-finals – Dundonald Bluebell v St Andrews Utd, Kinnoull v Sauchie.

Fife & Lothians Cup semi-final – Kelty Hearts v Broxburn Ath (7pm).

Archie Wyse.