Thistle just one victory from becoming leaders

Third-placed Kirrie Thistle face Coupar Angus at Westview tomorrow in the certain knowledge that victory will enable them to take over at the top of the North League, writes our junior football correspondent.

Thistle gaffer Jim Finlayson sees it as a difficult game against a side he rates as much improved.

He has the same squad available after hitting Forfar Albion for six last week, while the Foxhall outfit are again without the suspended Darren Forbes.

Glenrothes got back on track last week with victory at Brechin but can’t afford any slip-up when hosting Scone Thistle if promotion hopes are to be maintained.

Manager Benny Andrews is without Gav Moffat, Steven Forbes, Calum Kinness and Charlie Scarborough.

New Thistle boss Derek Lawson made a winning start last week so is not likely to make too many changes. David Rice will be the only absentee.

Kinnoull are hoping to extend a run of three consecutive wins – their best of the season – when they welcome Arbroath Vics.

The return of Rhys Davies and Kieran Donald boosts their chances, while Darren Kelly has signed on a permanent basis.

Vics are still without Lee Jones while Rikki Gillespie is out due to ligament damage.

The kick-off at Tulloch Park is 2pm.

If Lochore Welfare are to harbour any hopes of promotion, they must improve on a record that shows just one home win.

They’ll hope to address that when Brechin Vics are their guests, but are struggling for bodies.

Dean McMillan, Ryan Blackadder, Callum Deas, and Daniel Watt are all unavailable tomorrow.

Vics have lost their last two matches and are keen to avoid a third straight defeat.

After losing at home to Kinnoull last week, North End head for Newburgh.

Having won the first meeting 2-1, there are high hopes of completing the double to keep their outside promotion hopes alive.

Zak Wilson, Scott Cameron and Ryan Shaw miss out through injury.

The Burgh are without a home win all season – indeed, they haven’t played at East Shore Park since the end of October.

Burgh will be without Gary Spence.

After their winter hibernation, Harp have lost by four goals to Arbroath Vics and Blairgowrie, but are expected to pick up their first win of 2016 when hosting bottom side Forfar Albion. The visitors are without a win all season, having just one point to their name.

South League

After losing 7-2 at Dunbar last week, the last thing Rosyth would have wanted was a trip to Whitburn, who have won 11 consecutive league games and sit second in the table.

However, after being badly depleted last week, the good news for Recs is that they are only without keeper Ross Wortley and veteran Mark McCulloch for the trip to Central Park.

Narrowly beaten by high-flying Whitburn last week, Kirkcaldy YM travel to West Calder, hoping to complete the double after a 2-1 win in the first meeting.

With the return of Scott Small from suspension, YM are at full strength.

Finally, Lochgelly, whose game was off last week, will hopefully be back in action with Dunbar United due to check in at Gardiners Park.