Game of the day
Elgin City v Queen’s Park
Two of the teams at the top tussle after Elgin managed a 2-0 win at home to Peterhead last weekend thanks to a Daniel Moore double – both penalties. Queens Park meanwhile managed to sneak a 1-0 win at home to Clyde thanks to Ian Watt.
Elgin City
Reported Doubtful
Ross O’Donoghue
Queen’s Park
Reported Out
Jamie Brough; Ian Watt
Reported In
Paul Gallagher; Craig Smith
Prediction
This ought to be a good clash as both teams could extend their lead at least over Rangers if not the other team on 10 points. Elgin would appear to have the better momentum going into the tie and for me Ross Jack may just edge it. Gardner Speirs has a well drilled squad, as always, but the trip north can be tricky for most to negotiate; a home win then for me.
Annan Athletic v Peterhead
In their biggest ever game, in front of their biggest ever gate, in their first ever game against Rangers and on the first artificial surface Rangers have played on the headlines were more about David Templeton’s injury than about Annan’s plucky defence. As the Annan Chairman in his match programme said, we are all loving Armageddon! Peterhead lost 2-0 and 3 players in their game against Elgin City last weekend. Callum MacDonald, Steven Noble and Scott Ross were all dismissed.
Annan Athletic
Reported Out
Graeme Bell
Reported Doubtful
Jack Steele; Graeme Ramage
Peterhead
Reported Out
Callum MacDonald; Steven Noble; Scott Ross; Davie Ross; Bryan Deasley
Reported In
Ryan Harding (On loan from Alloa Athletic)
Prediction
Peterhead are my team of this division but stupid sending offs can hurt their promotion chances badly. For me I think this should have been another 3 points but now looks a decidedly tricky encounter. I reckon at least a draw though the fact that playing from Rangers to Peterhead could cause Annan players to struggle with focus could be a factor. So, a draw but with the possibility of an away win…
Berwick Rangers v Stirling Albion
Berwick lost 3-1 away to Montrose last weekend, Darren Lavery getting the consolation. Stirling Albion also lost, 3-1 away to East Stirlingshire. Mark Ferry had even put them ahead.
Berwick Rangers
Reported Out
Marc Lancaster; Dene Droudge
Reported In
Stuart Noble
Stirling Albion
Reported Out
Scott Davidson; David McClune; Kieran McAnespie; Bradley Coyne; Shaun Fagan
Prediction
Both teams desperately need the points so this ought to be another good game but I have a feeling it may grind to a draw. If there is a winner I would side with the Binos but think Berwick may have enough about them to hold onto a share of the points.
East Stirlingshire v Clyde
Their first win of the season saw them come from behind and then Scott Maxwell, David Greenhill and Nathan Shepherd got all 3 points for East Stirlingshire at home to the Binos. Clyde lost narrowly, 1-0, away to Queens Park. Clyde huffed and puffed but ultimately blew themselves down at the national stadium.
East Stirlingshire
Reported Out
Michael Dunlop; Jamie Benton; Craig Donaldson
Reported In
Paul Quinn
Reported Doubtful
Philipp Zufel; Craig Herd
Clyde
All reported fit
Prediction
Both teams have had fairly bad results recently, this season and the last 2 or 3 seasons so really need to put some points up on the board. It’s a tough one to call and the easy thing would be to bet against East Stirlingshire as they always seem to be the most likely to lose… So I am going for the easy option I am afraid. Clyde have looked good at times this season and just need to click so an away win.
Rangers v Montrose
In the week Ally McCoist said the Annan pitch looked good and lost Templeton to injury and 2 points; he said no one should expect to give him special treatment because of his past after he saw his team put out the Ramsdens Cup; and his team sat behind not 1 but 3 other 3rd division teams in the league it would be easy to feel sympathy for the Rangers’ manager. 0-0 away to Annan wasn’t a disaster. The defeat midweek with Barrie McKay and Lee McCulloch netting for Rangers was. Rangers could have been in the hunt for 4 trophies. One of the 2 that was thought well within their grasp went in a whimper. Montrose meanwhile have teenage sensation Leighton McIntosh to thank for 2 goals last week that added to a David Gray penalty and gave them a 3-1 win at home to Brechin City.
Rangers
Reported Out
David Templeton; Andy Little
Montrose
Reported Out
Paul Watson
Prediction
At home? Rangers win… surely?
