Huntly manager Allan Hale views Fraserburgh as the “benchmark” in the Breedon Highland League and hopes to bridge the gap tonight.
The Black and Golds – who are unbeaten in their last six outings – face the champions at Christie Park this evening.
Broch native Hale played for the Bellslea club and has great respect for what they have achieved in recent years, but reckons his Huntly side can cause them problems.
He said: “For me – and maybe I’m biased because I stay in the town and I played for them – they’re the benchmark, because they are a unique club and unless you’ve been there and experienced it, you maybe don’t understand it.
“The board and committee do a huge amount to look after the staff and the players.
“The club has a good model – they’ll spend if they need to spend, but they still develop young players and haven’t forgotten that despite their success.
“Mark Cowie has done an outstanding job and they’re improving off the park as well with some of the things they’re doing.
“We’re well aware of their capabilities, they have a lot of quality.
“But we’re a good team ourselves and, if we play to our capabilities, we can make it a difficult 90 minutes.
“On our day we’re a capable side, but the challenge is to get that consistency.
“At the top end of the pitch, I think we’ve got players who can hurt any team on their day.
“We’ve also got good depth in our squad which we’re happy with and, if we can get that consistency, we’ll keep progressing.”
Run can’t stop for visitors
Fraserburgh are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions with that run encompassing winning the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and reaching round three of the Scottish Cup, as well as sitting fourth in the league.
After netting twice in stoppage time to beat Rothes at the weekend manager Mark Cowie doesn’t want his side to let up.
He said: “Huntly have really found their feet recently. Those results were always going to come because Huntly are a big side and a strong opponent.
“We’ve drilled into the players that the game is never dead until the final whistle and that showed again on Saturday.
“Eventually if you keep knocking long enough the door will open.
“There are some big games ahead and Huntly is the next one. A couple of sides above us aren’t playing so we can close the gap a bit and it’s important we keep going.”
Fantastic Doric phrase from @FraserburghFC chairman Finlay Noble on #HighlandLeagueWeekly this week (link below⚽️📺)…
Do YOU know what "plappin' through dubs" means?https://t.co/lqDzIqtSaQ pic.twitter.com/9pHXZCM5fx
— Highland League Weekly (@HighlandLW) November 1, 2022
