Games of the Weekend: April 22

There are no Ladbrokes Premiership games this weekend but there’s a big Saturday coming up across the Championship, League 1 and League 2.

Andy Harrow of the Terrace Scottish football podcast picks three matches to look out for as the battles for promotion and to avoid relegation continue.

Morton v Ayr United – Ladbrokes Championship
Ayr United are three points from Championship safety with three games to play, making Saturday a crucial encounter. The Honest Men picked up a good point at home to Dundee United last weekend but failed to make ground on most of their relegation rivals. For Morton, this fixture represents a chance to kick-start their form ahead of the play-offs – Jim Duffy’s men haven’t won in six, including three losses to clubs in the bottom four. 

Last encounter: Ayr United 1-4 Morton (28.01.17)
An excellent double from Ross Forbes and another brace from Gary Oliver saw Morton comfortably home at Somerset Park. Forbes fired the visitors ahead from 25 yards and doubled their lead with a looping finish soon after. Oliver made it three before the break and bagged his second on 65 minutes. Jamie Adams scored for Ayr.

Peterhead v Stenhousemuir – Ladbrokes League 1
Time is running out for Stenhousemuir to escape the drop zone but Saturday presents them with a big opportunity to move a step closer – the bottom side would move to within two points of Peterhead in ninth with a win. The Blue Toon know that victory for them would increase the pressure on Stranraer and even Albion Rovers in their bid to avoid a play-off spot.  

Last encounter: Stenhousemuir 3-1 Peterhead (04.03.17)
Stenhousemuir pulled themselves to within a couple of points of safety with a comfortable win at Ochilview. An Alan Cook free-kick put the Warriors ahead and they were two goals up after only 15 minutes thanks to Mason Robertson. Peterhead’s task was made more difficult when top scorer Rory McAllister was sent off before half-time. Although Jordon Brown reduced the arrears on 47 minutes, Colin McMenamin made sure of the points midway through the second half.

Cowdenbeath v Arbroath – Ladbrokes League 2
This weekend sees the title chasers face two of the sides fighting for survival. While leaders Forfar host Clyde, second-placed Arbroath travel to Central Park to meet 10th-placed Cowdenbeath. The Red Lichties missed an opportunity to leapfrog the Loons last Saturday, going down to a 90th-minute Edinburgh City winner, while Cowdenbeath recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory at Stirling. A Clyde win against Elgin meant the Blue Brazil were unable to close the gap and remain three points adrift.

Last encounter: Arbroath 4-1 Cowdenbeath (25.02.17)
This defeat was a fifth in a row for Cowdenbeath, who remained four points behind Edinburgh City at the bottom of the table. Arbroath, meanwhile, moved two points closer to Forfar at the top after goals from Martin Scott, Steven Doris, Gavin Malin and a Liam Henderson own goal sealed a straightforward victory.