Strathmore to focus on cup tie against Haddington

promotion-seeking east lothian hope to capitalise on playing on home turf

By jack nixon

Published:

Strathmore put aside their promotion push from National League 1 to concentrate on the fourth round of the Scottish Cup when they entertain Haddington at Inchmacoble tomorrow.

The East Lothian side may be having a tough time in Premiership 2, but will according to Strathmore secretary Dave Innes be a real test for the home side.

He said: “It’s a big one for us, but with home advantage for the first time since November 8 we’ll give them a game. Promotion is still the priority and it will be a good run out for us before we play Trinity next week.”

The Forfar side will be missing the services of centre Sarel du Plessis who has gone to work in England and winger Matt Marshall who is injured.

Versatile Colin Bell moves from the back row to take up a role in the back division.

The big Angus pack will, however, be key and Jason Leslie will be expected to put in a big shift if the home side are to upset the Premiership side.

A win would be a huge bonus for Strathie, but coach Dave Brown shares the Innes view a step up from National League 3 would be a greater achievement.

He said: “It’s good preparation for our promotion drive, especially after a long break.”

Strathmore last played a game when they beat Aber-deenshire at Woodside in mid-December, scraping through 15-10 against the Caledonian 1 league leaders.

Meanwhile, Highland will decide this morning whether Canal Park is in a playable condition for their Scottish Cup third round tie against Orkney.

Underlying frost has meant the Inverness club have been unable to train properly on their own ground and tomorrow’s cup game is already in doubt.

A provisional kick-off time of 11am has been set for the tie, but Highland coach Hugh Mackintosh fears the game against the Caledonia Division 1 side may have to be postponed.

He said: “The pitch is still very hard and we will let Orkney know on Friday morning what the situation is.

“It is supposed to be very mild in the next few days and hopefully there is a good chance it will go ahead.

“It would be our first game since the beginning of December and we would like to get back into the swing of things.

“Orkney are two levels below us and hopefully our experience will stand us in good stead and we can secure a win.

“We need to get a game under our belts before we play Kilmarnock at home in the league next week which is a big one for us.”

Elsewhere, Caithness coach Jim MacMillan knows his side face a formidable task when they face Premiership 2 leaders Dundee HSFPs at Millbank in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow. Milder weather has thawed the Caithness club’s pitch and MacMillan is confident the cup tie, which is scheduled to kick-off at 1.30pm, will go ahead.