Elgin City manager Gavin Price is determined to put an end to the Black and Whites’ dismal derby record against Peterhead at Balmoor today.
City have lost their last eight matches against the Blue Toon, with their last victory over their rivals a 1-0 triumph away to Jim McInally’s men in March 2013.
Elgin conceded 16 goals without reply in their five defeats to Peterhead last term, however Price feels his side is better placed to take on the Aberdeenshire outfit following a number of summer reinforcements.
Price said: “There is no disguising we have not got a great record against Peterhead from last season. It’s something we really need to rectify.
“We did not compete as well as we could have last year, and the guys are up for putting that right.
“I think we have a better squad than last season. If we take the game on the penultimate game of the season when we played Peterhead at home, the margins were much closer.
“We lost 1-0 but the game could have gone either way – we certainly applied ourselves well.
“The two away games were a poor effort from us but I think we have improved, although Peterhead probably have as well.”
Price insists confidence is high after the Black and Whites came from behind to defeat Queen’s Park 2-1 at Borough Briggs last weekend, with the City boss particularly pleased with the recent goalscoring form of strikers Shane Sutherland, Chris McLeish and Greg Morrison.
Price, who has defender Darryl McHardy suspended in addition to the injured Stephen Bronsky today, added: “It’s a game we go into with confidence.
“It’s always good to see strikers hit the back of the net. I thought in the second half against Queen’s Park the three of them played well together.
“It’s pleasing there’s a bit of competition for places in that area and hopefully they can push each other on to try and score goals, which gives us a better chance of winning games.”
