Can Cans' urged to keep the faith

FORRES Mechanics’ Highland League title pedigree and nerve looks set to be tested to the limit over the next two weeks after league officials decreed that last night’s match against Keith, which was washed out at a flooded Mosset Park, will be played on Wednesday, May 9 (8pm).

Nearest challengers Cove Rangers took full advantage of the Can-Cans’ enforced night off to move to within a point of table-topping Forres with a 2-0 win over Nairn County at Station Park, cranking up the pressure on the Mechanics as the title run-in began to gather momentum.

Mechanics vice-chairman David Mackintosh sent out a "keep the faith" message this morning to nervy Can-Cans supporters this morning, insisting that the destination of the league championship is still firmly in the hands of manager Charlie Rowley and the Mosset Park club’s players.

"I went with some of our committee to watch Cove win at Nairn and they looked impressive so we have to expect them to win both of their remaining games, but that means we know exactly what we have to do," said Mr Mackintosh.

"I would say that our supporters just have to keep the faith, stay behind the team and we will win the Highland League championship for the first time since 1985/86 in the next couple of weeks.

"It’s been a long wait but, hopefully, we and our supporters can start celebrating a week on Saturday."

If both sides hold their nerve and keep winning, Forres can clinch the title by a point at Mosset Park on Saturday, May 5 with a home win over Fraserburgh and set up a champagne party in front of their own supporters four days later, whatever the outcome of their re-arranged clash with Keith.

Between now and then, though, Charlie Rowley’s Forres side faces a day off which they could do without this weekend, offering Cove Rangers a chance to overtake the season-long league leaders on Saturday if, as expected, they see off lowly Strathspey Thistle on home turf at Allan Park.

A Cove win would give them a slender two-point lead at the top of the table before Forres play one of their crucial games in hand at Turriff United on Wednesday May 2, when a win would see them go back to the top by a solitary point.

That would set up a nerve-jangling day for both clubs on Saturday, May 5, when Cove take on Deveronvale at Allan Park in their final match of the season and the Can-Cans clash with Fraserburgh at Mosset Park with the destination of the title balanced on a knife-edge.

Should both sides win, Forres would be champions and that final re-arranged game against Keith would see them presented with the championship trophy in front of their own supporters whatever the outcome of their final game.