Lochee given lift for visit of Kelty

McBookie.com East Super League

Lochee United hope to do what no other side has achieved this season and defeat Kelty Hearts.

Of course, it is a tall order with the Fifers having won 13 of their 14 fixtures with the only exception being a home draw with Camelon.

So the return of striker Connor Birse after a 10-week absence to give boss George Shields a full squad for the first time is a timely boost as they take on the league leaders.

Hill of Beath have a difficult fixture away to Bonnyrigg Rose who are third and have reached the first round proper of the Scottish Cup.

With only one win in the last seven league outings, Haws badly need a morale-boosting victory.

After disappointing defeats to Carnoustie and Camelon, Broughty are looking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats away to Bo’ness.

Meanwhile, Carnoustie and Jeanfield Swifts meet at Laing Park in the second round of the GA Engineering Cup.

With both sides in good form of later, it promises to be a tight contest.

The Gowfers are without Roddy Black and John Roberts and could give one or two fringe players a chance to show what they can do.

Steve McManus, unavailable last week, returns to a Swifts squad numbering 18.

Another team engaged on knockout business is Dundonald Bluebell who welcome Premier League leaders Sauchie in the Conservatory Converters Fife & Lothian Cup.

After their disappointing defeat at home to struggling Fauldhouse last week, the Fifers, who expect to be at full strength, can’t take anything for granted against a side whose draw at Tayport last week was the first points they have dropped.

McBookie.com East Premier League

Last week’s odd goal in three defeat at Forfar West End cost Kennoway Star Hearts second place, so they’ll be looking to bounce back with a win to maintain their unblemished home record against Tayport, particularly as a win for the visitors would see them leapfrog their hosts.

‘Port boss John Ovenstone expects to have a full-strength squad.

After two heavy defeats, Glenrothes boss John Martin has labelled their home match with Bathgate a huge fixture.

Beaten 6-1 by both Hill of Beath and Violet has wounded their pride and Martin is looking for his charges to get those results out of their system to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

While Stephen Forbes is still suspended, he has signed ex-St Andrews attacking midfielder Conor Schiavone who is included in the squad.

Another team badly in need of three points is St Andrews, who are without a league win since August, as they host Tranent.