Forres Mechanics have made a triple loan signing ahead of their Breedon Highland League clash with Huntly at Mosset Park.
The Can-Cans, who are 11th in the table, have brought in Inverness Caledonian Thistle under-18s defenders Jack Walker and Sam Nixon on deals until January.
Meanwhile, Caley Jags U18s goalkeeper Corey Paterson – who was with Forres for a stint at the end of last season – comes in on an emergency loan with Lee Herbert injured and Aidan MacDonald unavailable.
Ahead of the clash with Huntly, Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said: “We’re grateful to Caley Thistle for their help.
“Ryan Esson does such a good job with the goalkeepers at Caley Thistle and has been really helpful.
“Corey did really well for us at the end of last season and Ryan says he’s stepped on again since then having been playing regularly for their U18s.
“He’s used to playing at this level and we’re pleased he’s able to come in and help us.
⚽️⚽️⚽️ UPCOMING MATCH ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Our next match is this Saturday (21/10/23) when we face Huntly FC in a Breedon Highland League home fixture at Mosset Park 🏟️
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Hope to see you there! 🟡🟤#monthecans pic.twitter.com/KhA03F6VgZ
— ForresMechanics F.C. (@TheCansOfficial) October 18, 2023
“Jack played in our first game of the season against Strathspey.
“We were hoping to get him on loan, but then he got a contract to go full-time with Caley Thistle.
“They wanted to bed him in with first-team training and get used to things.
“But I’ve always been hopeful we’d manage to get him back.
“Both he and Sam have got big potential, we’re pleased to be able to bring them in and look forward to seeing how they get on with us.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Samba Badjana, who joined Forres having moved north from England in the summer, has been released.
Thoirs savouring special period
Huntly have made an impressive start to the campaign and are sitting second in the table.
Victory this afternoon would take them above leaders Formartine United on goal difference.
Alex Thoirs, who has been with the Black and Golds since 2011, says it’s been the most enjoyable period of his Strathbogie tenure and he is keen for it to continue for as long as possible.
The 35-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, added: “With the position we’re in just now, this is the most enjoyable time I’ve had at Huntly.
“We’ve made a great start and we’re in high spirits just now, but it’s about trying to keep the good run going as long as we can.
“At the start of the season, our aim was to try to beat the points tally from last season (45 points).
“It’s a really tough league and we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.
“But to be in and around the top six teams at this stage of the season says a lot.
“We would like to push as close to the top six as we can, but we’re fully aware it’s really hard to break into, even with the start we’ve had.
“We’ll try to stay up around where we are for as long as we can and see how we get on.”
- Elsewhere, Brechin City v Keith at Glebe Park, Formartine United v Wick Academy at North Lodge Park and Fraserburgh v Brora Rangers at Bellslea were all postponed last night due to the poor weather brought by Storm Babet.
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