Formartine United, Fraserburgh and Brora Rangers will represent the Highland League when the draw for the first and second round of the Challenge Cup is made today.
The SPFL’s newest side Cove Rangers, last season’s Highland League champions, also feature in the regionalised first round draw along with Elgin City, Albion Rovers and colts teams from Premiership clubs Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian, Livingston, Ross County and St Johnstone.
Watch the draw live below:
Formartine boss Paul Lawson is delighted to be participating in the competition again. He said: “In last year’s competition we ended up going to Coleraine in a third round tie and only lost out in a penalty shoot-out.
“It was a great experience for the boys and they did really well on the day, it’s a good competition to be in at the beginning of the season and in the past we’ve also had the experience of playing Premiership clubs’ colts sides.
“Regardless of whom we get in the draw it will certainly be a tester for the lads.”
Lawson added: “Obviously the first thing you are looking for is a home draw, but if we end up facing a competitive game away from the north-east against a colts side at a Premiership stadium that would be equally nice.
“We will just have to wait and see who we get in the draw, but it would be good to avoid one of our fellow Highland League clubs. It’s always nice when you’re not facing a club you see week-in, week-out.”
