Highland’s unbeaten home record will be put to test by Melrose, says Davie Carson

Davie Carson believes Melrose will pose the biggest threat to Highland’s unbeaten home record so far this season.

Highland have triumphed in all four games at Canal Park this term, although they have won only once on the road.

Carson is therefore relishing the opportunity to draw on home comforts against Melrose this weekend.

He anticipates a difficult challenge against the Borders outfit, who became the first team to defeat leaders Kelso in a 16-14 triumph last time out.

Carson said: “Melrose are going really well just now, as we saw a couple of weeks ago when they became the first team to defeat Kelso. There wasn’t much in it, but they are clearly a good side.

“They are as good, if not better than Gala who we beat in our last home game, so it will be a big test for us.

“It’s totally doable. I’ve got no qualms, at home we always feel we’ve got that chance.

“With the way we have played at home this year, we have had some close games and a couple of bonus point wins.

“It’s how we perform on the day, but every time we have been at home we have played pretty well. The boys have really turned up and put a show on.

“We will have to do that in bucket loads against a good Melrose side.”

Carson eager to make gains on top-four

Highland trail Melrose by seven points ahead of this weekend’s game, with Carson looking to make the most of the opportunity to close the gap.

Carson, who welcomes Grant Jamieson, Craig Findlater, Stevie Murray and Alfie Kinsella back into the fold, added: “It will keep us in touch with the top four if we can get a victory this week.

“As I have said before, if you want to be up in the mix at the end of the season you have to at least win all your home games.

“You also need to try and pick up some stuff away which we are not doing too well with at the moment.

“We will have a massive crowd down like we did for the Gala game.”

Highland are looking to make a strong return from the international break, having fallen to a 34-13 loss to Stirling County a fortnight ago.

He added: “The boys had a good week off. Some did a bit of stuff, but others rested up after an intense few weeks since the start of the season.

“We made the most of that and then got back into a contact session on Tuesday night, and everyone is raring to go.”