Squad size isn't everything for Duffy as Brechin think big

Published on Monday 8 March 2010 22:05

SECOND Division.

&#149 BRECHIN CITY v STIRLING ALBION

Brechin City include recent signing Terry Masson in their squad again as Jim Duffy's side go looking for the win that would lift them above Stirling Albion in the race for promotion. The Glebe Park men are now unbeaten in six league games. On-loan Morton midfielder Alex Walker will need a late fitness check before his inclusion can be confirmed, with Duffy delighted with the efforts from his small squad.

Duffy said: "We are on a good run just now and a win over Stirling Albion would be a great reward for the efforts put in by the players recently when they have had to stick together when we were really low on numbers."

Stirling look likely to stick with a new on-loan central defensive pairing of Motherwell's Jonathan Page and Falkirk's Brian Allison.

&#149 COWDENBEATH v ARBROATH

Cowdenbeath roared back into the promotion race at the weekend as they won their first game this year by knocking six goals past East Fife. Defender Kenny Adamson is available after serving a one-game suspension on Saturday with only midfielder Danny MacKay unavailable for selection.

Home advantage has counted for nothing in the games between these sides this season with Arbroath winning at Central Park in August and the Fife outfit coming back from Gayfield with a 1-0 triumph in October. Ninth-placed Arbroath pulled within two points of East Fife on Saturday after drawing 1-1 with Stenhousemuir.

Defender Steven Rennie remains out with an injury with midfielder Ian Nimmo's participation in doubt after missing out at the weekend because of a knock.

&#149 DUMBARTON v ALLOA ATHLETIC

Dumbarton are out to end a four-game losing run and get back into the promotion hunt by taking all three points against league leaders Alloa. Goalkeeper David McEwan remains out because of his broken finger with former Wasps shot-stopper Michael White expected to keep his place between the sticks after starring in his side's 1-0 defeat by Brechin at the weekend. Striker Roddy Hunter could be in line for a recall for Dumbarton after Dennis Wyness and Derek Carcary failed to score at the weekend.

Alloa's Mark Brown, Brown Ferguson and David Gormley are all in line for starting slots against the Sons with only injured defender Scott Buist unavailable.

&#149 EAST FIFE v CLYDE

East Fife manager Steve Crawford has a job on his hands to lift morale after a 6-2 defeat at Cowdenbeath on Saturday. To add to Bayview woes, defenders Jonny Smart and Stevie Campbell are rated as doubtful for tonight.

Clyde will be missing injured goalkeeper Scott Findlay, along with midfield youngsters Steven Howarth and Kevin Higgins with centre back Alan Lithgow rated as a doubtful starter. The experienced midfielder Marvyn Wilson is suspended.

&#149 STENHOUSEMUIR v PETERHEAD

The Warriors will be without four players, with defender Willie Lyle and midfielder Iain Thomson suspended. They are joined on the sidelines by the injured duo of Jordan Smith and Andy Brand. Midfielder Craig Malloy and striker Kevin Bradley have both recovered from broken toes.

Peterhead welcome back defender Jonathan Crawford to their defence after his suspension and the on-loan Aberdeen youngster looks set to be in the line-up with centre-back Bobby Mann out because of injury and full-back Davie Donald also struggling.

Striker Davie Ross is available after overcoming the injury that kept him out at the weekend, however the experienced Martin Bavidge is struggling with a stomach injury.