They have spearheaded two title challengers with their goals this season.
But for Paul Campbell and Jordan MacRae, this weekend is more pivotal than the rest in the destination of the Highland League title.
MacRae’s Brora Rangers have a 17-point advantage over Campbell’s Fraserburgh at the top of the league. Insurmountable, you would think, but the Broch have four games in hand. Win today against Brora at Bellslea and their games in hand and the gap is down to two points.
“I can’t remember the last team that beat them in the league – it may have been ourselves,” said Campbell, who is part of a prolific frontline including Scott Barbour and Sean Butcher. “I think if we get beat, it’s going to be very difficult to get back into it. Their lead would just be too much and we’re all aware today is a big game for us, if we’ve any ambitions to do something in this league.
“I’m sure Brora will be going into this game really confident of taking the points.”
MacRae has plundered 25 goals this season since joining from last season’s champions Cove Rangers, scoring one more than team-mate and fellow new arrival Andrew Macrae.
“It’s quite defining in terms of the season,” said MacRae. “With them beating us at our place, it’s quite important for us to make a statement.
“I was out injured for the last game but I felt we lacked conviction going forward. But now we have got Andy Macrae and other boys that are firing and I’m back playing as well.”
Fraserburgh were the last team to stop Brora back in October and the only team to beat the leaders at Dudgeon Park. Paul Young’s goal proved decisive that day and the Broch, with two trophies to their name this season, have lost just once in the Highland League.
“They have got Jordan and Andy Macrae scoring a lot of goals; we have played against them a lot and know their quality,” said Campbell. “We played against Andy at Forres and Jordan has been at Cove.
“Both are about tied at the top of the goalscoring charts. They are going to be a big threat, as they have been the whole season. We’ll need to find a way to stop the firepower they’ve got.”
With 67 goals in 20 games, Mark Cowie’s side are quite familiar with finding the net as well; “there’s a healthy competition between the strikers in the team and it keeps you motivated to score goals. Myself, Sean Butcher and Scott Barbour have got that ambition to score as many goals as we can.”
Along the A96, MacRae and Macrae have formed quite the double-act, with the two splitting 49 goals between them. A partnership formed in their formative years at Caley Thistle has been reunited at the ambitious Sutherland outfit.
“I played with Andy when I was younger at Caley Thistle so we already had a partnership. But I didn’t think it would go this well,” added MacRae. “Usually when you’ve got two strikers, one scores more than the other but it seems to be that I set him up one week and he sets me up the next.
“Even in training, we have a go at each other if someone misses. It gives you something outwith the team to have a little competition.
“They (Fraserburgh) have had a few boys up there that are no stranger to finding the net. But our defence has been pretty solid this year and have rarely conceded goals.
“Cove leaving (the Highland League) was a great opportunity for Brora to kick on. Brora challenged us last year when I was at Cove and now they’re looking to go win another league. But we’re not looking past this Saturday.”
