Formartine United player-manager Paul Lawson has warned his players to expect to face a fired-up Inverurie Locos this evening.
Locos head into the match without Jamie Michie, Mark Souter and Neil Gauld, who are all suspended after seeing red in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Wick Academy at Harlaw Park.
It was the first time new Locos boss Andy Low had tasted defeat since replacing Neil Cooper and Lawson is expecting a reaction when the sides meet at North Lodge Park tonight.
He said: “They will make some changes but I’m sure the players that come in will have quality.
“They have got more strength in depth than they maybe had last year.
“It will be interesting to see how Andy sets his team up.
“They will be looking to bounce back but it is a derby and it was going to be a difficult game in any case.
“The pitch is looking good so it should make for a good game of football.”
Formartine travelled up to Brora on Saturday only for the game to be called off less than an hour before kick-off.
Lawson said: “We were disappointed with how it was handled but ultimately the pitch was unplayable.
“I really felt for the supporters who had travelled all that way only for it to be called off so late in the day.
“It was the right call but it was frustrating it wasn’t made sooner.”
Inverurie manager Low is urging his fringe players to seize the opportunity to impress.
He said: “It is not an ideal situation but it is a chance for other players to come in.
“We would always rather have those three players available, especially going into a game against a team like Formartine with the quality they have in their ranks.
“I am always optimistic and it is a chance for those who have been waiting for their chance to step up.
“I expect to come up against a Formartine side at the top of their game so we are going to have to be at the top of our game to match them.
“It is going to take a team effort, especially because we have those players missing.
“Against Wick on Saturday, we weren’t quite at it as a team compared to how we played in our two previous games against Fraserburgh and Rothes.
“We have a big month coming up with a lot of football and this is a chance for players to stake a claim for places in the team.”
Elsewhere, Huntly will look to build on their surprise 4-3 win over leaders Buckie Thistle when Turriff United visit Christie Park.
Midfielder Adam Cross could feature for the visitors after returning to the club following a year working in Australia. The 21-year-old has signed a deal until summer 2022.
Meanwhile, the match between Rothes and Buckie Thistle has been postponed. Recent inclement weather has left the Mackessack Park pitch waterlogged and, given further adverse weather forecast, the league has taken the early decision to call off the game.
