SFL Daily Update - Friday, March 5

Cairney amongst friends when Forfar called

Annan manager Harry Cairney was amongst old friends on the touchline during the 1-1 draw with Forfar at Galabank on Tuesday night. Cairney spent eleven and a half seasons at Brechin City as a player and in the opposing dug-out there were four former Brechin managers.

Cairney explained, “Dick Campbell and his brother Ian are manager and assistant manger at Forfar and they both managed me at Brechin. John Young and John Ritchie are part of the coaching set-up with Forfar as well and they were also my boss at Glebe Park with John Ritchie being the manager that signed me.”

McGeown a doubt for Spiders

Recently signed goalkeeper Mark McGeown could miss out on Queen’s Park’s crunch promotion play-off chasing match against Berwick Rangers tomorrow, because of the hamstring injury he picked up against East Stirling in midweek.

Hampden head coach Gardner Speirs said, “Mark is still feeling some discomfort but we have Peter Hamilton standing by and have no qualms about putting in on from the start.”

Brechin add to Board

Brechin City have co-opted Anton Gerlings onto the Management Committee at Glebe Park. Gerlings has impressed the other committee members with his work in the Hospitality arena this season.

Sons strikers require to be more ruthless

Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman has told his mis-firing strikers to become more ruthless in front of goal after watching his side go down 2-1 at Peterhead. Chapman said, “Some of the football we played was fantastic and the opportunities we created were fantastic, but the problem is that we are not ruthless enough in front of goal. After a slow opening quarter of an hour we totally dominated the game and we played football all around Peterhead but not being ruthless in the final third gave them hope.”

Chapman added, “They sucker punched us and we travelled back home pointless and I am disappointed for the team but we just need to pick ourselves up and bounce back against Brechin on Saturday.”

Shire struggling with illness

East Stirling have decided against requesting that tomorrow’s match with Forfar is postponed because of a bug that has laid that ‘Shire squad low, however Head Coach Jim McInally is still getting twitchy every time his phone goes.

McInally advised, “It has been a nightmare and every time I get a phone or a text it seems someone else has got it. We never seem to get injuries which is great but the problem with illness is that takes it a lot out of the players. I will not be able to choose a team until close to kick off on Saturday.”

Livingston attract new sponsors

Livingston have struck a deal with local company Alpha Plus to sponsor the Almondvale club’s North Stand until end of next season. As part of the agreement Alpha Plus will supply machinery to assist with the stadium and pitch upkeep with the deal being a case of Friends Reunited.

Alpha Plus Managing Director Steve Matthews said, “We are delighted to be back as a sponsor at a club where we were first involved when Jim Leishman was there.”

Livingston’s Commercial chief Charles Burnett beamed, “We are delighted with this deal as it shows how we are re-engaging with our local community.”

Schoolboys game now at Montrose

The International match between Scotland and Northern Ireland Schoolboys that was scheduled to take place at Forfar’s Station Park tonight has been switched to the artificial surface at Links Park, Montrose as fears over frost putting paid to the game rose.

Montrose fans will be able to see the clubs exciting talent Martin Boyle, who recently made his first team debut at Easter Road, in action for the Scottish youngsters. The game will kick off at 7.00pm with admission priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

Queen of the South miss Quinn and Knight

The postponement of Tuesday night’s clash with Ross County means that Queen of the South will be without the services of midfielder Rocco Quinn and striker Leon Knight for the visit of Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Everyone else is available to manager Gordon Chisholm who said, “It is disappointing that these guys are not available for this game as if we win it we go above Thistle.”

Youth Cup tie postponed again

The Scottish Youth Cup Quarter-Final Tie between Airdrie United and St Mirren was postponed for a fourth time last night and no date has been set for the game to go ahead. Rangers lie in wait for the winners at the semi-final stage.