Grades Preview 26/27 July

Following last weekend’s semi-finals in Grades 2 and 3 this Sunday sees the semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire Cup, with Cults hoping to overturn their Small Clubs Cup defeat by Bon Accord, while Ellon and Stonehaven – both of whom are now realistically out of the league title race – will be looking to end their season on a high by getting through to next month’s final at Mannofield.

In what now looks to be a three horse race for the league title, meanwhile, Bon Accord will hope to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Ellon, and hope that their vanquishers can trip up Cults at the Allan Park.  Kintore meanwhile are at home to local rivals Inverurie, whose recent form, and arrival of an overseas amateur from South Africa, suggests they could yet escape relegation.  Caledonian look to be already be condemned, but Inverurie’s recent recovery of form and last week’s win by 2nd Cults means that Mannofield have meantime slipped into ninth position, making this week’s game between them and 2nd Cults at Countesswells vital for both sides.

In Grade 2 St Ronald continue to top the table; but could slip off it if they lose to second—placed Grammar FPs at Rubislaw.  At the foot meantime, while Kemnay look virtually certain to drop to Grade 3, the second relegation spot is still too close to call between Academy and Artisans, with Fraserburgh also not wholly out of danger.

In Grade 3 Turriff now lead the way, just ahead of 2nd Kintore and 2nd Banchory, in a race which looks like going to the wire; while at the foot it looks like one from Stoneywood-Dyce, 2nd Methlick or Dunecht to go down to Grade 4 with 2nd Grammar.

With only 3 rounds of games remaining, 2nd Stonehaven meantime look to have sown up the Grade 4 title, with Portcullis just clinging onto second place ahead of Queens Cross and Gordonians.

The Grade Select play in the final of the Three Counties Cup next Tuesday evening at Forfar.