Lanark lead the way as six sides are given home comfort in cup

Oct 30 2008

IT’S Citylink Scottish Junior Cup time on Saturday as the 64-tie second round kicks into action – weather permitting, of course!

Lanark United, one of the most successful county sides in ‘the Scottish’ in recent years, are one of six Lanarkshire sides favoured with a home tie as they aim to progress into the next round.

Last season’s quarter-finalists are at home to Forres Thistle, who are currently lying 11th in the North First Division with only one win in four league games.

United manager Tony McInally said that he is confident of progress as they prepare for the tie.

He continued: “If we are professional and go about our business properly I would expect the result to follow.

“We will be better equipped than we would have been last weekend, when we would have had Craig Miles, Darren Jaffrey, Davie McGuire and Tom Hanlon all missing.

“Stewart Thomson is now in full training and I would expect him, along with McGuire and Jaffrey, to come into my thinking this weekend for the cup clash.

“Kieron Downs, who has been out for four weeks with injury, is also back in the picture, which leaves just Tom Hanlon, who is not yet match-fit.”

Larkhall Thistle, confident after their derby first-round triumph in the competition, await the visit of Tranent on Saturday.

Manager Bobby Crilly does have some concerns about the recent postponements interrupting his side’s rhythm, but this did give him the opportunity to spy on Tranent when Thistle’s game was rained off at the weekend.

But there was a setback to his plans - for when he arrived at the Forresters’ ground, Tranent and Pumpherston’s players were ready to kick-off only for the referee to call off the tie at the last minute.

Tranent’s form has been patchy, although they arrive in Larkhall on the back of a 4-2 win over Haddington Athletic, with close-season signing Mel Gibson bagging a hat-trick.

But Crilly will also make sure his own ‘Bravehearts’ are aware that the visitors have lost three of their seven league games, conceding 16 goals in the process.

Crilly’s son, dead-ball expert David, looks set to return to the squad after recovering from a groin injury and he would, in fact, have been doubtful for Saturday’s postponed league fixture.

The manager said: “We did well against Yoker and away to Rob Roy, then we had a gap before we played Royal Albert – that doesn’t get the rhythm and symmetry going.

“But if we play the way I know we can, then we’ll make a real game of it and I will be looking to progress into the next round.

“Everyone of the squad is fit, which gives us 21 to choose from.”

Thorniewood United, who hit eight goals without replay in the first-round crushing of North-east side Cruden Bay, have every right to feel confident ahead of Saturday’s home tie against Blairgowrie.

While United chase promotion with four wins and a draw from six starts, their opponents lie second-bottom of the East Region Premier League with one win in four starts, conceding 14 goals in the process.

The likely return of club captain John Fallon – at least to the substitutes bench – will further boost United’s prospects of victory.

Blantyre Vics will emerge from a spate of postponements to take on East Region Central League side Lochgelly Albert, whose manager is former Motherwell striker and 1990 Scottish Cup Final hero Stevie Kirk.

The Fife side are currently fourth in the league with three wins from four games, although they lost 6-1 to Camelon in their last game, which was a local cup competition.

Midfield dynamo Brian Glancy, who was on honeymoon, striker Gary Espener who missed the last game when his car broke down, and Kerr Gray, who was missing due to work commitments, will all be available to boost Blantyre’s prospects for the cup clash.

Forth Wanderers will miss the experience and guile of suspended midfielder Eddie McGuinness against a Yoker Athletic side now bossed by ex-Accies striker John Brogan.

Manager Paul Anderson said: “Eddie has one more game to go, which made Saturday’s postponement at the second attempt at midday all the more disappointing.”

Included in the visiting squad will be ex-Shotts striker Davie Kirkwood and central defender Neil Schoneville, who had spells with Coltness United and Stonehouse Violet.

On his return from holiday Carluke Rovers boss Whitey Moffat moved quickly to snap up midfielder Paul Ross and forward Ross Barton, both from Larkhall Thistle, and they’ll be pitched in to Saturday’s cup tie against Johnstone Burgh.

He said: “We miss Andy Barr in midfield and we’re hoping Paul can help fill that slot while Ross will provide back-up for our front three of Stewart Arnott, Brian Caldwell and Kris Jarvie.”

He added: “Burgh watched our last game against Forth and my assistant Scott Duncan thought their scouts would have been impressed with what they saw.”