Forres Mechanics eye place in GPH Builders Merchants Highland League cup semi-finals with Clachnacuddin standing in their way at Mosset Park tonight
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LANDING a cup semi-final place in the midst of a troubled Highland League season would give Forres Mechanics a major lift.
That’s the view of manager Steven MacDonald, who would dearly love to lead Cans to victory over one of his former clubs Clach at Mosset Park tonight.
Forres host the Invernessians in the last eight of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup in a tie MacDonald knows both sides will fancy winning.
Tonight's match is subject to a pitch inspection at noon.
The other three quarter finals involve top half sides facing each other, leaving the underdogs to battle it out.
Tonight's GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup quarter-finals:
Brechin City v Brora Rangers
Buckie Thistle v Inverurie Locos
Forres Mechanics v Clachnacuddin
Rothes v Fraserburgh
“Outwith the top six teams in the league there’s only ourselves and Clach left in the competition so I’m sure both teams will be seeing it as a winnable opportunity to progress to the semis,” MacDonald said.
“We have to try and get through this game and it keeps your season going nicely if you are still chasing silverware. It’s a big game for us.”
MacDonald led Mechanics to their first win since November – and his first as part of Cans’ managerial team – when they won 2-1 at Keith in their last league outing ten days ago.
Saturday’s match at home to title-chasers Buckie Thistle was postponed, along with six other Highland League matches, with Mosset Park under a blanket of snow.
The pitch, however, should be clear and thawed out for tonight’s tie, and MacDonald has some good news on the selection front in the build-up to the big game.
Buckie Thistle have cleared on-loan goalkeeper Lee Herbert to play for Forres in the competition, even though his appearance between the sticks for MacDonald’s side means he will be cup-tied for Jags, who are still in the tournament.
“Fair play to Buckie,” said MacDonald. “Graeme Stewart texted me to say he is happy for Lee to play in the game so that’s a real boost for us. Not just because he’s a good keeper but it is so hard getting anyone else in.”
MacDonald will have to find a keeper for Saturday’s league game at Deveronvale as Herbert is needed by Buckie, with their other back-up goalie Darren Strong unavailable.
Forres will also have striker Lee Fraser back in their squad after missing the Keith win due to suspension.
Former Ross County midfielder Jack Grant will be assessed having had two teeth knocked out in the recent match against Brechin City.
“He’s got a gum shield for training so he might be available,” said the Forres boss. “He got implants which need some bedding in time so he needs to be careful and we will wait and see what the situation is.
“That was a nasty injury.”
MacDonald made ex-Caley Thistle teenager Cammy Hoath his latest signing at Mosset Park last week following a successful trial at the club.
He said: “Cammy was one of the young boys who came along and he had done well in his trial games and in training."
