MARC Petrie, the skipper of league pacesetters Arbroath, fears today’s showdown with basement boys at Falkland could be a banana skin mission for his troops.

The Fifers hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week when they were on the receiving end of a record-breaking hammering at the hands of Watsonians.

Salvaged a heap of pride 24 hours later by earning a place in the advanced stages of the British Village Cup.

And Petrie believes their last 16 tie against holders Sessay, also at Scroggie Park, will gee them up for the match.

Petrie said: “On paper we are favourites, but we definitely won’t be taking any notice of that label.

“Falkland will have renewed confidence and will be keen to take their Village Cup form into the league.

“We are very happy with the way we have performed in the first half of the season, especially given our issues with availability.

“But we are well aware there is still a long way to go in the campaign.

“We are still without a few frontline players, though Calvin Burnett and Ross McLean return.

“We know we just have to continue performing to the standards we set for ourselves.”

Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire heralded the start of the season with a remarkable high-scoring contest, won by the visitors at Forthill.

So this afternoon the Broughty Ferry brigade head for Mannofield with revenge on their minds in the latest battle of the Shires.

Forfs will be without Rory Johnston and Callum Garden, who are on Scotland age-group duty.

And captain Umair Mohammed said: “That opening-day encounter was pretty special, but the outcome was not what we were seeking.

“However, since then we have faced them twice, in the Scottish Cup and in the T20 - and we came out on top on both occasions, so our spirits are high.

“I am sure that if we give 100 per cent then the result will take care of itself, though we are all too aware that they have dangerous players who can turn it on.”

Elsewhere, form horses Glenrothes - fresh from successes over Arbroath and Grange - are aiming for the double against champions Carlton in Edinburgh.

Grange take on neighbours Heriot’s at Goldenacre and Watsonians will be keen to carry on against SMRH at Myreside where they left off at Falkland.