Inverurie Locos manager Dave Cormie has labelled today’s visit of Fraserburgh as a must-win game for his side’s Highland League title hopes.
Locos slipped up last week when they lost 1-0 at Huntly. The result leaves Cormie’s team in fourth place, eight points behind early pacesetters Deveronvale.
The Banff side has played a game more then Locos, but the manager knows his side cannot afford to fall further behind when the Broch visit Harlaw Park today.
Cormie said: “A week is a long time in football. Last week we were looking forward to a cup final at Peterhead and a big game at Huntly, but by the weekend we had lost both games.
“The league game was very disappointing as our inability to take our chances cost us all three points against I side I felt we had the beating of.
“We now face the Broch this coming Saturday in a must-win game for ourselves.”
Ryan Broadhurst is available again following work commitments, but Neil Mclean is still absent due to a broken toe.
Fraserburgh manager Charlie Duncan hopes his side has also rediscovered the knack of scoring when it makes the trip to Inverurie. The Broch dominated for long spells against Wick Academy last week, but conceded three goals in the final 10 minutes to lose 4-1.
Wick Academy welcome back Bryan McKiddie and Alec Lamb for the visit of Keith. The Maroons will be without Danny Tritton and Phil McCall Scott Begg serves the penultimate game of his ban as Brora face Forres Mechanics. Goalkeeper Ross Harkness will make only his second appearance for Forres due to the absence of Stuart Knight.
Former junior clubs Formartine United and Turriff United renew rivalries in the 2pm kick-off at North Lodge Park. John Gardiner has two players serving suspensions in Mark Simpson and Ally Graham, while Turriff manager Kris Hunter also has suspension problems with Michael Ralton, Martin McLeod, Leigh Henderson and Darren McAllister all banned.
One game has already fallen victim to the weather with Fort William’s game against Nairn County postponed yesterday due to a waterlogged pitch at Claggan Park.
Champions Cove Rangers welcome back club captain Eric Watson into their squad for the visit of Lossiemouth, although he is not expected to start the game.
However, Barrie Stephen and Murray McCulloch have recovered from a groin strain and a virus, respectively, and are in contention to return to the team. The Coasters, who have won their last two games, will travel without Martin McMullan and Kevin Flett, who are suspended following red cards last weekend.
The first meeting of the Jags in the Highland League takes place at Victoria Park when hosts Buckie Thistle welcome Strathspey Thistle.
The hosts will again be without Paul Napier because of ankle ligament damage, while Aaron Lepkowski remains a long-term absentee. Forward Ian Murray will again miss out because he is offshore. Strathspey go in search of a maiden league victory and first away points and Tolga Daktas is set to return to the starting line-up with Ross McKenzie also back in contention.