Brora Rangers are facing a fixture pile-up as they strive to defend their Highland League title.
This season has to be completed by Saturday, April 18, to accommodate the end-of-season play-offs, leaving Highland League secretary John Grant with a major fixture headache.
Brora present Grant with his biggest conundrum as, due a combination of their successful Scottish Cup campaign and the wintry weather, the reigning champions are seven games behind with their scheduled fixtures and have played just 20 of their scheduled 34 league games.
As it stands, should Brora reach the final of the Highland League Cup, David Kirkwood’s side will have just three free weekends between now and the end of the season to reschedule some of their outstanding fixtures.
The problem is further complicated by the fact that two of Brora’s five away matches are against Turriff United and Formartine United, perhaps necessitating a potential 300-mile midweek round-trip, while Keith may also have to travel to Dudgeon Park on a Wednesday night.
Grant said: “We know we have a real problem as Keith, Brora and Fort William are all seven games behind with their fixtures but it is the reigning champions who present us with more of a headache as they have five away matches to pick up, including trips to Formartine and Turriff.
“That is one we will have to look at as the season must end on April 18 to allow the play-offs to take place the weekend after.
“We are reviewing the situation as it stands but there is not a lot of scope towards the end of the season to allow these outstanding games to get played.”
Grant would not be drawn on when midweek fixtures would commence but in Brora Rangers, Keith and Fort William’s case it may be sooner rather than later.