It was not long ago that we were talking about Rory McAlister as an SPL striker but with five goals already on the board and getting in and amongst the goals regularly it could be, that we will be trying to find room for other headlines this year other than the Govan club.
The headlines this week in football have been all about the Hillsborough tragedy but one near tragedy that has been missed is the car crash that has seen Elgin City goal keeper Chris Tucker in hospital fighting for his life. All at Scotzine wish him and his family well.
Game of the Day
Elgin City v Peterhead
Elgin went to Ibrox two weeks ago and lost 5-1. They did score first through Jamie Duff so there will have been the Rangers 0 Elgin City 1 headline on a scoreboard during the 90 minutes! The headline they didn’t want was a car accident that has deprived them of their goalkeeper and Ross Jack is not letting on just who else will be missing. Peterhead won 2-0 away to Montrose last time out with Rory McAlister scoring both.
Peterhead
Reported Out
Bryan Deasley; David Ross
Prediction
I did not make this my game of the day due to the tragedy but because on paper it looks by far the most interesting. The accident will either galvanise the team or remind us why football is a game. I believe that it will be an away win as Jim McInally is continuing the fine form they showed at the end of last season.
Annan Athletic v Rangers
Annan lost last time to Clyde 2-1 with Greg Thorburn equalising before Scott Chaplain decided to be highly hospitable and put into his own net. Rangers had headline starts for Dean Shiels and David Templeton as they got 3 of the 5 goals that sunk Elgin. Lee McCulloch got the other 2.
Annan Athletic
Reported In
Michael Daly
Reported Out
Graeme Bell
Reported Doubt
Jack Steele
Rangers
Reported Out
Andy Little; Anestis Argyriou
Prediction
This ought to be Rangers’ first away win of the season on the artificial pitch against a team they have never played before…
East Stirlingshire v Stirling Albion
Having struggled in their 3-0 loss against Berwick Rangers East Stirlingshire then lost 2-1 in the Ramsdens Quarter Finals at home to Cowdenbeath; Sean Kelly got the goal. The Binos lost 2-1 at home to Queen’s Park with Joshua Flood having opened the scoring but they couldn’t hold onto the lead.
East Stirlingshire
Reported In
Michael Dunlop
Reported Out
Craig Donaldson; Jamie Glasgow; Paul Quinn
Stirling Albion
Reported Out
David McClune; Kieran McAnespie; Shaun Fagan; Bradley Coyne
Prediction
The Binos have been struggling with a virus and this could open the door for John Coughlin’s side. They are struggling once again, East Stirlingshire, so a win would be rare but welcome. Oh go on I’ll go for a home win!
Montrose v Berwick Rangers
Montrose lost 2-0 away to Peterhead last time out and whilst it was not a great day at the office, losing to the league leaders as no disgrace. Berwick got a 3-0 victory at home against East Stirlingshire with Dean Hoskins, Fraser McLaren and Darren Lavery getting the goals.
Montrose
Reported In
Jamie Winter; Phil McGuire
Reported Out
Paul Watson
Berwick Rangers
Reported Out
Marc Lancaster; Stuart Noble
Prediction
Stuart Garden will be looking for Montrose to get back to winning ways and build upon good performances whilst Ian Little will be hoping to build on their last win. For me it will be a draw as I cannot see much between the two of them.
Queens Park v Clyde
The Spiders managed a 2-1 victory away to Stirling Albion as Jamie Brough and Jamie Longworth got the goals after going 1 down. Clyde won 2-1 at home to Annan Athletic through Kevin Watt and an own goal from Scott Chaplain. That victory got Clyde to 2nd in the league.
Queens Park
Reported Out
Craig Smith; Paul Gallagher
Clyde
Reported In
Craig Winterburn; Bryan Gilfillan; Steven Masterton; Stefan McCluskey
Reported Out
Ian Gray
Prediction
Two teams on their game should be nothings short of a cracking game. I would pay to see it and think it may end up an away win… but will hope for plenty of goals or action…
