junior Football

North League

No question that the match of the day is at North End where the leaders entertain Downfield under new management after Paul Marr’s appointment this week.

The Dokens, who need just 10 points from their five remaining games, are without suspended top scorer, Scott McComiskie.

The Spiders are without the banned Martin Szpak as they seek three points to keep their outside promotion hopes on track.

Last time, East Craigie and Kennoway met, the game was abandoned after the Fifers had five men sent off with the Shipbuilders awarded the points after leading 4-3.

For the return, the Shipbuilders have Dave Salisbury suspended after being banned until the end of the year following his dismissal after the cup tie at Islavale.

The second-placed Fifers are looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Forfar West End, but Ian Brown is a doubt and Ryan Thomson is missing and they add 17-year-old Kenny Band to their squad.

Blairgowrie host Lochore Welfare and they will be without Mark Brash, Robbie Hood and Gordon Pirie as they look to maintain their promotion bid.

But as the Fifers won the first meeting 3-2, Blair cannot afford complacency.

Promotion - chasing Luncarty have signed midfielder Gavin Anderson from Jeanfield Swifts ahead of the visit of Brechin Vics.

Newburgh, another promotion-seeking outfit, will be expected to win away to managerless Forfar Albion, especially as they are at full strength.

Indeed, the hosts have yet to win at home, whilst Newburgh are undefeated on the road.

Albion are inviting applications for the manager ’ s post which became vacant following Derek Lawson’s resignation this week .

All enquiries should be made to Doug Reid on his mobile 07768 152762.

Harp have in-form Scone Thistle as guests, but are still without the suspended Brad Miller.

Although beaten by Kennoway last time out three weeks ago, it ended Scone’s winning five-match streak.

And as they look to return to winning ways, striker Richard Doig is to make his debut, but Gavin Macleod and Gary McCallum are missing.

Thornton Hibs and Forfar West End who have both had up and down seasons clash at Memorial Park.

Despite being down to the bare bones last week, West End defeated Kennoway and are strengthened by the returns of Neil Docherty, Mark Pirie and Gary Robertson.

Arbroath Vics will be without David McLeish and forced to field a trialist in goal away to bottom-of-the-table Coupar Angus.

South League

Crossgates Primrose are the only Fife team with home advantage, facing Falkirk Juniors and looking to avenge their narrow 4-3 defeat in the first meeting.

Lochgelly travel to Tranent trying to close the gap on their hosts who are one place above them, but four points better off.

They have lost the services of Gavin Ross for the rest of the season as he is working away, while Shaun Leishman and Ryan O’Connor are still suspended and Paul Duncan likely to still be unavailable.

On the plus side, Greg O’Hanlon and Connor McManus return to a squad which may be augmented by trialists.

Rosyth head for Dunbar United still looking for an elusive away win.

However, they are

without Craig Bateson, Russell Taylor and Adam Watson.

Saturday’s fixtures (kickoffs 2.30pm)

McBook ie.com

East North League — Blairgowrie v Lochore Welfare, Coupar Angus v Arbroath Vics, Dundee East Craigie v Kennoway Star Hearts, Forfar Albion v Newburgh, Dundee North End v Downfield, Lochee Harp v Scone Thistle, Luncarty v Brechin Vics, Thornton Hibs v Forfar West.

McBookie. com East South League — Blackburn

Utd v Stoneyburn, Crossgates Primrose v Falkirk, Dunbar Utd v Rosyth, Edinburgh Utd v Haddington Ath, Harthill Royal v West Calder Utd, Tranent v Lochgelly Albert.