Return to league duty for confident Tayport

Dalkeith Thistle are the visitors to the Canniepairt to face a ‘Port side which has now won four games on the bounce after they saw off Forfar Albion on Saturday.

But the visitors will arrive full of confidence themselves having held Super League title contenders Bo’ness United to a 2-2 draw in the East of Scotland Cup before eventually being beaten on penalties.

Their league form has been patchy.

After opening with a win, followed by two draws, Dalkeith have lost their last three East Premier matches.

They will be out to arrest that decline this weekend so ‘Port will have to be at their best.

Boss John Ovenstone certainly didn’t think that his troops were on top form in the cup tie against Forfar Albion.

“I didn’t read the riot act at half-time, but did make it clear that the first half hadn’t been good enough,” said the boss.

“The second half was much better and we’ve now recorded four wins in a row, so that breeds confidence. That said, the performance level will have to be upped when we go into next week’s game.”

It will no doubt be a different starting XI tomorrow as Sergio Alvarez and Dale Reid began on the bench while Craig Sturrock and Ovenstone himself played no part.

All four should be in contention for starting jerseys when Dalkeith come to town.