Tough task for Bellshill

Oct 2 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TAM McDonald will demand his Bellshill squad turn pressure into goals when Petershill visit New Brandon Park on Saturday.

Bellshill face what looks like the closest of the three games in a curtailed Super Premier League card, with just two points separating the sides.

A third win from five starts could see Athletic create a five-point cushion, while defeat could see them drop two places into seventh.

In the Super First Division table-topping Lanark have a great chance to stretch their unbeaten run to five, away to Port Glasgow who are still looking for their first point.

At the other end of the table Lesmahagow, still chasing their first league win, host fifth-placed Cambuslang Rangers.

Assistant boss Robert Irving said: “There were more encouraging signs in the weekend friendly at Auchinleck than we showed the previous week.

“We took on the game to let the young lads see what it’s like at the top end of the junior game, and we hope they will take that confidence into the Cambuslang game.

“After that we’re away to Johnstone Burgh and we know ourselves that we need to take six points out of six.”

Forth Wanderers, currently second in the Central League Second Division, have a great chance to emphasise their promotion push when they take on mid-table Greenock.

They trail five points behind Blantyre, but with Vics on Scottish and West of Scotland Cup duty for at least the next two weekends – and possibly four, depending on their results – Forth have a dream chance of claiming top slot.

Experienced midfielder Eddie McGuinness will be back, but talented young striker John Curry is still missing with a knee injury.

The only other game in this division is at Victoria Park, where Newmains United play Carluke Rovers.

Rovers will hope for a repeat of their Sectional League Cup result over United, when goals from Jim Miller and Kris Jarvie earned a 2-0 win.