The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gowfers target Stars for sixth straight win
McSkimming faces selection headache as Carnoustie head to Fife
Carnoustie Panmure make their first ever visit to Kennoway Star Hearts’ Treaton Park today as they bid for a sixth successive win.
Last week’s win at West Calder saw the returns of Robert Urquhart and Steven Cook from injury, while Luke McGeehan made his first start of the season, giving gaffer Alan McSkimming, for once, the right kind of selection dilemma.
Though the Fifers are still without a win in the league, last week’s comfortable 3-0 win at Jeanfield Swifts will have injected much-needed confidence into the camp.
There is a further boost for interim boss Craig Johnstone with Kenny Band and Lyall Shaw’s return and the addition of new signing James Collins – an attacking midfielder who has been training with Raith Rovers’ youths.
Broughty Athletic caretaker boss Jamie McCunnie is demanding a big improvement from last week for the visit of Camelon.
His candid comments following last week’s dreadful display against East Craigie left no one in any doubt of the extent of his displeasure.
He said: “I told the players exactly what I thought of them. They let me and the club down and I’m demanding a much improved performance this week.”
The Fed will definitely be without Fraser Smith, while Garry Kenneth and Derryn Kesson face late fitness tests, but Kieran McWalter is back from holiday.
Lochee United welcome Dundonald for what has all the makings of a tightlycontested affair. The Fifers are one place above George Shields’ side and were 9-3 winners over Newburgh last week.
With Craig Smith, Kevin Buchan, Reece Ritchie, Paul Lunan and Mark Fotheringham all injured, Shields may include a trialist.
No such problems for the Moorside men whose only absentee is Craig Wedderburn.
Hill of Beath, who have had selection issues recently, head to Broxburn in slightly better shape with Darrin Wright, Russell Grierson and Lewis Elder all returning.
However, boss Kevin Fotheringham is still without Mikey Lee, Rikki Dair, Michael Perrie and Stephen Forbes.
Forfar West End host Jeanfield Swifts and after a good win at Armadale, West are likely to be on the same lines as last week as they try to arrest a run of three successive home defeats.
After the disappointing defeat at home to Kennoway last week, Swifts playerboss Ross Gunnion is looking for a reaction from the players.
Central defender Ben Blyth and striker Rhys Davies return but Mark Duigan and Chris Anton remain sidelined.
Premier League
St Andrews’ fixture with Fauldhouse has been switched to Barnetts Park due to the state of the top of the table side’s pitch.
Irrespective of the venue, it is another demanding fixture for Craig Morrison’s men following successive home defeats to second-top Musselburgh.
Morrison has Aiden Hendry missing, but striker Paul Quinn – signed on loan from Dundonald Bluebell – is added to the squad.
Two wins have brightened the picture at Downfield, who have jumped from the lower reaches to sixth place.
Their trip to third-top Haddington presents a formidable hurdle with the Spiders making the journey without the suspended James Thomson.
Thornton Hibs also have a tough assignment away to Musselburgh, but wins in their last two league games will have given them a boost.
They cannot, however, afford a repeat of last week when they squandered a twogoal lead and exited the East of Scotland Cup on penalties at Whitburn.
After missing out on any action last week, Tayport travel to Premier League newcomers Blackburn United.
Jamie Mackie is out of contention while Kieran Conway and Gary Sutherland face late fitness tests. Alan Tulleth and new signing Jamie Gill are available.
Kirrie Thistle’s task away to Tranent isn’t made any easier by having five players missing, including the suspended Scott Drumm.
Glenrothes host Bathgate Thistle and will be minus the injured pair of Scott Napier and Craig Wallace, though Graeme Walker returns.