Carrol: too early for Buckie title talk

BUCKIE Thistle manager Gregg Carrol knows victory against Fraserburgh tonight will at least keep the Victoria Park club in second place in the Highland League but he refuses to talk up their title chances.

Cove Rangers are just one point ahead of Buckie at the top of the table, while Fraserburgh trail Carrol’s side by a further four points.

He said: “We always look forward to big games and they are coming thick and fast at the moment. We need to keep things going but we are not thinking about the title.

“We have not been thinking about the title for months now, everybody else seems to do that.

“We will continue playing, trying to pick up points and when there are four or five games to go we will think about what is happening with regards to the league.

“I have been in this position on a number of occasions with another club but we will just continue working hard and we will see what happens at the end of the season.”

Buckie will be without defender Jamie Shewan, who has a broken metatarsal.

Third-placed Fraserburgh travel to Victoria Park undefeated in the league since last November having won 11 and drawn one of their games in the last four months.

Broch manager Charlie Duncan said: “All the games between Fraserburgh and Buckie are physical, competitive games. They have a big pool of players and will be favourites, but I feel we can give them a game.”

Keith goalkeeper Andy Shearer and captain Derek Nicol miss the Maroons trip to Turriff United after their red cards in the home loss to Buckie on Saturday. Turriff manager Kris Hunter will have to do without defender Michael Ralton as he serves a suspension as a result of his red card on Saturday.